I just need a body now . . .

Following on from yesterday’s blip about hand-knitting in the Dales, I have been reading a fascinating book which I bought at the Museum in Dent. It was originally published in 1951, but this copy is a revised and reprinted version. It tells the history of hand knitting and then describes the industry in the Dales and Westmorland. The authors gathered information from people and other resources, recording it all as they travelled around.

Marie Hartley was a remarkable lady whose life spanned the 20th century - born in 1905, died 2005. She was a well-regarded artist and wood engraver, but spent most of her time travelling the Dales gathering information about life and times in the Dales - all from people and their memories - and writing books. Look her up - her story is fascinating.

So it has me thinking about the industry of hand-knitting in the Dales and Westmorland and I have a lot more reading and research to do.

My blip is the original front page of the 1951 book, with one of Marie’s sketches and a page from a booklet I also bought - a knitter. My own knitting has recently been keeping the family (and us) supplied with dishcloths, which we all use all the time - not very exciting, so I have started yet another of the animals to add to the collection.