Help with Designing
Generate graph paper based on YOUR gauge: This is a Japanese website, but there is enough English on it to find your way. Knit, block, and measure your swatch, enter your stitch and row gauge over 10 cm on this page, and the size you want the graph to be. “1/1″ is full-size, perfect for charting a mitten on an 8 1/2″ x 11” paper. You can even adjust the thickness of the lines making up the grid.
Calculate the yardage needed for a gansey
The All-Thumbs Provisional Cast-on by Ann Turley Dreith (2talltx on Ravelry) (with photos and explanations)!
Museums
In the US
Nordic Heritage Museum, Ballard, WA: Everyday objects and artifacts from Norwegian immigrants
Vesterheim, Decorah, IA: Everyday objects and artifacts from Norwegian immigrants, workshops
The Burke Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, WA: Coast Salish artifacts, baskets, blankets
In Europe
Setesdal Museet, Rysstad, Norway. Wonderful examples of old knitting.
Norsk Folkemuseum, Oslo, Norway (There is an option on the home page for English) World-class folk costume exhibits.
Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum in Scotland (Sanquhar, UK) A sweet museum that includes a collection of Sanquhar gloves.
Dumfries and Galloway Museums in Scotland. (Dumfries, UK) Sanquhar gloves, knitting tools, and so much more! Be sure to check out the world’s oldest example of Camera Obscura!
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK. Absolutely must not be missed!
Tradition-Specific Links
Ganseys
• The Moray Firth Gansey Project, UK
• Knitting the Herring Project, UK
• The Cordova Gansey Project, Alaska
• Norfolk Gansey Patterns (Sheringham)
Blogs/Websites
Beth’s Blog, Knitting News – I discuss where I have been and what I am doing, taking the reader from Arizona to Europe and back again. I talk about workshops and what I am teaching.
Designing Advice From Annie Selke–This is an interesting link that covers the basics of sewing and quilting blankets, aimed at beginners. Following links in the site written by a variety of authors, you can access instructions on rugs, bedding, improving sewing skills, and so much more. Many thanks to the Junior Girl Scout troop that suggested the link as an addition to my links page.
Gansey Nation– This wonderful blog has been around for a long time, written by Gordon Reid, with his wife Margaret, continuing since Gordon’s passing. Living in Wick, Scotland, they have focused on historic ganseys, knitting them, discussing them, and adding other photos. Delightful!
Kate Davies– Designer of lovely Fair Isle garments
Knit like Granny This website lists knitting events, yarns, tutorials, needles, and more!
Knitting Tips and Tricks– This website explains some of the basic questions newer knitters have, plus there is a great section of “Knitting Terms and Abbreviations to Know”. Many thanks to Hannah and her mom, Linda Robertson for letting me know about this website!
Removing Stains From Clothing and Fabric–This comprehensive list of remedies fxplains some of the basic or removing stains comes from the blog on lulus.com, a fashion website. Worth downloading! Suggested by Lily, a student at the North Mountain Institute in Arizona–one of the few schools still teaching Home Economics! Thanks, Lily!
Upton Yarns– Sarah Lake blogs about vegetal dyeing her delicious locally sourced wool yarns (when she’s home), as well as documenting her life and times as a sailor at sea.
Yarn Companies
Brooklyn Tweed– the multi-talented Jared Flood has created a company sourcing wool from the US, dyed and spun here as well. His photography and designs from a variety of designers is inspiring.
Frangipani– Located in Cornwall in the UK, Jan and Russ Stanland have created a full line of 5-ply Guernsey yarns in the largest range of colors ever!
Handknitting.com– Retail sales of many types of yarn, including traditional gansey yarns.
Kelbourne Woolens– Two young women in the Philadelphia area created this thriving company in 2008. They are GOTS certified and uphold living wage standards for all their employees. I am especially thrilled that they have resurrected Germantown yarn, an old favorite from decades ago.
Meian-Tanrallt is a third-generation family farm where this 5-ply guernsey yarn began, in North Wales. Lovely colors, and a softer feel.
The Yarn Guys– Jeffrey and Dennis created this company, importing and distributing Rauma Yarns from Norway. I love and kit up the Strikkegarn and Finullgarn yarns.
