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The Knitting And Crochet Guild

February 10, 2017 by The Twisted Yarn 22 Comments

Given that you’re here, and assuming that you’re not right now scratching your head and thinking “Hang on, this isn’t the blog about oxy-acetylene welding that I was searching for,”* it’s probably safe to assume that you’re partial to looking at a bit of knitting/crochet. (I used to call it ‘yarn p♥rn’, but then I noticed that a few folk were landing here via some questionable search terms – and no doubt being deeply disappointed when they arrived – so I gave that up.)

One of the best places to look at yarn you-know-what is deep in the historical archive of the much under-publicised Knitting and Crochet Guild (KCG), up in West Yorkshire. If you saw my last post about our Stylecraft Blogstars meet-up last weekend, then you’ll know that we were very kindly treated to a trip to the archive on the Friday. I sincerely wish that you could have been there with us, because it was fascinating. But I did bring back some photos to share with you. Would you like to see?

The KCG archive houses thousands of knitted/crocheted items and patterns as well as knitting/hooking tools, dating from as far back as 1826, although most are from the twentieth century. They’re all tucked away in an unprepossessing industrial unit behind a housing estate in Scholes, West Yorkshire. And as I stepped through the door with the other Blogstars, I had very little idea of what to expect.

Irish crochet lace.

I should mention at this point that this is an archive and not a museum, and so what you see when you enter is mostly shelves (and shelves, and shelves) of boxes with intriguing labels such as Vogue Knitting, 1970-1990.

There are a very few items on display, such as the vintage Singer sock-knitting machine that caught our imagination, but what you really need in this place is a guide, or better still, three guides. Permit me, please, to introduce Angharad (third from left, navy jumper), Barbara (red jumper at the back), and Alex (far right, navy jumper).

Knitting and Crochet Guild
In the archive. From the left: Kathryn (Crafternoon Treats), Julia (Handknitted Things), Angharad (awesome KCG volunteer), Sandra (Cherry Heart), Sarah (Annaboo’s House), Lucia (Lucia’s Fig Tree), Barbara (awesome KCG volunteer), me, Jane (Janie Crow), Alex (awesome KCG volunteer). Photo credit: Charlotte @ Stylecraft.

These wonderful women are volunteers at the KCG, and from deep in the archives they fetched some choice exhibits to share with us. Do I even need to tell you how grateful and intrigued we all were? Would you like to see what they showed us? Yes? OK, take a pair of white cotton gloves from the box so that you can safely handle the artefacts, and let’s begin.

I’m guessing that a fair few of you will know immediately who designed this knitwear. Yup, you’re looking at Kaffe Fassett’s ‘Foolish Virgins’, circa 1989. One of the KCG volunteers is a rare genius at matching pattern to knitwear/hookwear:-

And here’s a granny square shawl from 1955, a Vogue Knitting pattern to be worked on 2.25mm hooks in 3-ply yarn. Somebody had a lot of time on their hands to make and join all 250 squares:-

Gorgeous, no? And here with the pattern:-

It was fascinating listening to the archivists talk. They told us about samples of Patricia Roberts’ stranded designs that were held in the collection, in which you could examine the reverse and see the knitter’s progression from clueless leaver of l-o-n-g floats to confident float-trapper and all-round stranded expert.

And just look at this crochet!

It was made in 1930 by someone with disturbingly exceptional patience, and it’s stunning. The yarn is mercerised cotton at some insanely fine gauge, and the tiny squares are sewn together. Here it is with its pattern:-

Just wow.

Oh, and see this below? This was made by Queen Mary, but we weren’t particularly encouraged to photograph it because it’s not very good!

There are also hooks, needles, and other equipment in the collection.

And if you thought that circular needles were a new idea, then think again. Here’s one from the 1930s. It’s rather springy and has a mind of its own:-

As the daughter of a patent examiner, I was fascinated by the patent declarations for strange and unusual innovations, such as knitting needles with measurements along their lengths:-

I do like this crochet hook:-

Here’s a very early 20th century yarn holder. (It’d be perfect for my walking-the-children-to-school knitting.)

There is so much that I could show you.

But I’m saving the best (IMHO) for last. Would you like to see what’s inside this box?

There’s no point in asking you to guess, because it’s THIS:-

Just look!

Now there are three reasons why, to me, this is the most amazing piece of knitting ever:-

  1. It just is. How stunning? How original?
  2. Only slightly behind knitting and crochet (and well ahead of running) in the list of stuff-I-love is geology. I’ve even let it sneak into this blog a little, eg here. My idea of a heavenly day out involves walking up a mountain and poking about in the strata. So, knitted rocks? I’m in love.
  3. This objet was knitted by none other than Jan Messent. Have you heard of her? She’s here. She’s more into embroidery than knitting these days, but I first discovered her when I found an old book of her eccentric knits/crochet in a second-hand bookshop. I was intrigued by her crocheted/knitted gardens, and they were part of the inspiration behind my ridiculous chair project. Look, here’s a shot of some of the work in her book:-
From Jan Messent’s ‘Have You Any Wool?’ (1987)

So yeah, I was very happy to see this stunning creation in the archive.

The Knitting and Crochet Guild website is right here. You can join for a mere £25 per year, and access a whole wealth of history, information, and expertise. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

 

∗In which case, you’d be better off trying here. You’re welcome.

Filed Under: Crochet Tagged With: crochet, embroidery, Jan Messent, knitting, Knitting And Crochet Guild, stylecraft, Stylecraft Blogstars

« Stylecraft Blogstars Meetup, aka Not Too Shabby A Weekend
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Comments

  1. mariposaknits says

    February 10, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    Wow, so much history! Thanks for sharing it and keeping it alive.

    Reply
  2. Mrs Craft says

    February 11, 2017 at 12:01 am

    Oh my goodness, I’m a little jealous of your trip. It looks really interesting. It’s amazing how well preserved those pieces look too. Thanks for sharing ?

    Reply
  3. woolpickle says

    February 11, 2017 at 7:04 am

    What a delightful and inspirational set of photos! I’m sorely tempted to ask for a membership for my birthday now!

    Reply
  4. gladeridercrafts says

    February 11, 2017 at 7:30 am

    Oh wow, what a lovel trip out. And yes I know what you mean about accidentally searching for the wrong thing…I rather naively searched for blanket **** the other day…big mistake!

    Reply
  5. Tineke says

    February 11, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Three guides, needed in a archive for needlework is it. They know all the yummies. Perhaps, one day.

    Reply
  6. Sue Scarfe says

    February 11, 2017 at 10:04 am

    Such lovely photographs…the Jan Messent made me dribble a bit!

    Reply
  7. Gallivanta says

    February 11, 2017 at 10:05 am

    What a wonderful, wonderful place.

    Reply
  8. Ann Shepherd says

    February 11, 2017 at 10:57 am

    This post, and your own lovely chair, reminded me that I have copies of Jan Messent’s ‘Have You Any Wool’ and also ‘Knit a Fantasy Story’. I’ve never really had a good excuse to actually use them other than to ooh and aah over but you’ve made me think – who needs an excuse to knit up something just for fun? Surely everyone is entitled to a little woolly dragon or a unicorn or a farmyard or a castle, aren’t they?

    Reply
  9. nanacathy2 says

    February 11, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    Am a big fan of Jan Messant, no idea that she started in Knitting.

    Reply
  10. pixiemumblog says

    February 11, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    So pleased I was able to visit the KCG archive last July as part of my attendance at the KCG Convention in Sheffield. I can recommend joining and keeping membership of the Guild, I have learnt so much from meetings, the convention and from Slipknot, the magazine. There are no adverts., just helpful, professional and fascinating articles.

    Reply
  11. leelah saachi says

    February 11, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    thanks so much fo sharing this. i am one of those who loves just to read and look, and are not so good with recipes. now i have feasted on your photos abnd i am all aaaaahhhhh sigh aaaahhh

    Reply
  12. Georgy Evans says

    February 11, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    Wow! What a wonderful resource the KCG is – immediately joined up. Thank you for showing us what it does. Also for introducing me to Jan Messant. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Chris Scholes says

    February 11, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    Remember the cooking programme Two fat Ladies?
    I got quite a different view of them when I keyed that in!

    Reply
  14. Cricket Fox says

    February 11, 2017 at 11:37 pm

    WOW, What an amazing day

    Reply
  15. Sandra says

    February 12, 2017 at 9:00 am

    Brilliant as always! Also, very interesting oxy-acetyleneinformation.. ?

    S x

    Reply
  16. slippedstitches says

    February 12, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    Amazing. I am so happy to know there are places where knitting and crochet items are being preserved and treated with the respect due all great art.

    Reply
  17. pomegranateandchintz says

    February 13, 2017 at 8:48 am

    How wonderful – thank you so much for sharing. Nothing’s new, is It?

    Reply
  18. Neulisti says

    February 13, 2017 at 11:16 am

    Seems like an amazing place to visit! I love craft history.

    Reply
  19. barbaramary says

    February 13, 2017 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks Phil for this splendid blog post. I’m so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your visit and seeing a few of the highlights of the Guild collection. I hope you’ll come back some time for another visit. To be fair to Queen Mary, I should point out that there is nothing wrong with her crochet – the petticoat that she made looks horrible because it become stained over the years (I think because it was stored badly, long before it came to the KCG). She made a lot of clothes for charity, and inspired many other people (including her sons) to do the same, so we shouldn’t think that she wasn’t any good at it!

    Reply
  20. Fizzgig says

    February 14, 2017 at 8:57 am

    I LOVE the little yarn holder ! And I wonder why there is a loop on the crochet hook ? Hmmm.

    Reply
  21. pawdua says

    May 12, 2017 at 6:49 am

    I often wonder, with the fine lace crochet in giant objects like tablecloths or coverlets, how much was done to show of the stitches skill and how much was done out of necessity. They couldn’t afford a large fancy item but could buy a ball of thread every month?

    Reply

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...

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There's a new blog post in town. See link in bio or explore thetwistedyarn.com.

There`s a new blog post in town. See link in bio or explore thetwistedyarn.com. ...

157 5

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 19

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Just got home from a really intense work-day down the psychology mines, only to discover these wonderful socks that the ever-awesome @buttonspickles knitted for me. They are very beautiful and very cosy, and the yarn is the colourway that I designed for Stylecraft, i.e. Head Over Heels in the shade 'Saltaire'. (I don't think Stylecraft sells it any more.) But these socks are just perfect and I love them and I'm feeling very grateful for my friends. ❤
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#stylecraft #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftheadoverheels #sockknittersofinstagram

Just got home from a really intense work-day down the psychology mines, only to discover these wonderful socks that the ever-awesome @buttonspickles knitted for me. They are very beautiful and very cosy, and the yarn is the colourway that I designed for Stylecraft, i.e. Head Over Heels in the shade `Saltaire`. (I don`t think Stylecraft sells it any more.) But these socks are just perfect and I love them and I`m feeling very grateful for my friends. ❤
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#stylecraft #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftheadoverheels #sockknittersofinstagram
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200 15

thetwistedyarn

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Apr 16

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Kittens sitting in the crocheted garden. By the way, someone pointed out that there's a fake account pretending to be me: it's at thetwistedyarn_  I can't view it because they've blocked me, but if any kind soul would be kind enough to report it, I'd be very grateful. Thank you, my Fine Fibrous Friends!

Kittens sitting in the crocheted garden. By the way, someone pointed out that there`s a fake account pretending to be me: it`s at thetwistedyarn_ I can`t view it because they`ve blocked me, but if any kind soul would be kind enough to report it, I`d be very grateful. Thank you, my Fine Fibrous Friends! ...

298 75

thetwistedyarn

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Sep 18

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Half-way through the dragonfly motif on my Äkäslompolo cardigan. Speedy progress on knitting due to annoyingly slow progress on surgery recovery. Grrr....
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#strikke #strikstrikstrik #knittersofig #knitspo #knitspiration #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #fairisle #fairisleknitting #steek #steeking #novitaknits #novita #äkäslompolo #knitdesigner

Half-way through the dragonfly motif on my Äkäslompolo cardigan. Speedy progress on knitting due to annoyingly slow progress on surgery recovery. Grrr....
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#strikke #strikstrikstrik #knittersofig #knitspo #knitspiration #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #fairisle #fairisleknitting #steek #steeking #novitaknits #novita #äkäslompolo #knitdesigner
...

253 13

thetwistedyarn

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Apr 26

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Decent weather for a run. Yes I do occasionally put my knitting down. The colours of this view are a statement, too.
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#running #freedomforukraine

Decent weather for a run. Yes I do occasionally put my knitting down. The colours of this view are a statement, too.
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#running #freedomforukraine
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206 4

thetwistedyarn

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Jan 23

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New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio).

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). ...

133 1

thetwistedyarn

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Feb 12

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Another day, another blog post. See linky in bio or thetwistedyarn.com.

Another day, another blog post. See linky in bio or thetwistedyarn.com. ...

89 0

thetwistedyarn

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Jan 11

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New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, yeah?

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, yeah? ...

218 7

thetwistedyarn

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Aug 7

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Sitting under a tree to avoid the drizzle, knitting 1x1 rib. This is the life! (Garden isn't mine, so I can't take credit for its beauty.) I hope you too can find a little time to knit today.
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#stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftyarn #stylecraftyarns #knitdesigner #knittersofig #Garden #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #lovetoknit #knittingismytherapy

Sitting under a tree to avoid the drizzle, knitting 1x1 rib. This is the life! (Garden isn`t mine, so I can`t take credit for its beauty.) I hope you too can find a little time to knit today.
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#stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftyarn #stylecraftyarns #knitdesigner #knittersofig #Garden #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #lovetoknit #knittingismytherapy
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253 10

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 5

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My new dress design is in the latest edition of Novita magazine. OK so you'll need to speak Finnish to understand it, but six months from now I'll be allowed to publish the same pattern in English on my website. @novitaknits is awesome.

My new dress design is in the latest edition of Novita magazine. OK so you`ll need to speak Finnish to understand it, but six months from now I`ll be allowed to publish the same pattern in English on my website. @novitaknits is awesome. ...

186 15

thetwistedyarn

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Jun 24

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Thank goodness I'm not a perfectionist. 
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#fairislecardigan #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting

Thank goodness I`m not a perfectionist.
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#fairislecardigan #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting
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200 14

thetwistedyarn

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Feb 25

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When life imitates "art". Note the little crocheted kitten beside the pond, paws stretched out, just like the real thing. I had no idea when I crocheted/knitted this chair cover that I'd one day be a kitten-slave for real. #blackcatsrule

When life imitates "art". Note the little crocheted kitten beside the pond, paws stretched out, just like the real thing. I had no idea when I crocheted/knitted this chair cover that I`d one day be a kitten-slave for real. #blackcatsrule ...

289 9

thetwistedyarn

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Aug 16

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It's not often that my activities here and on my @the.twisted.garden page overlap, but sometimes you just need to crochet a hammock for your squash.

It`s not often that my activities here and on my @the.twisted.garden page overlap, but sometimes you just need to crochet a hammock for your squash. ...

221 20

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 23

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The knitting is done! Just reworking the FREE pattern using the new yarn. 
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#autumnknitting #fallknitting #knitsforautumn #autumnleaves #rowanfeltedtweed #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #virkningsprojekt #virkning #strikkedilla #strikke #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #stitchfiddle

The knitting is done! Just reworking the FREE pattern using the new yarn.
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#autumnknitting #fallknitting #knitsforautumn #autumnleaves #rowanfeltedtweed #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #virkningsprojekt #virkning #strikkedilla #strikke #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #stitchfiddle
...

571 35

thetwistedyarn

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Jul 21

Open
@novitaknits have done a fabulous job of photographing my cardigan design. ❤ I HIGHLY recommend following their beautiful Insta page. Pattern out very soon. 
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #steek #steeking #howtosteek #fairislecardigan #fairisle #fairisleknitting

@novitaknits have done a fabulous job of photographing my cardigan design. ❤ I HIGHLY recommend following their beautiful Insta page. Pattern out very soon.
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #steek #steeking #howtosteek #fairislecardigan #fairisle #fairisleknitting
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285 12

thetwistedyarn

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Feb 5

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Today. I'm mostly contemplating shoulders (pic 1) and walking with the Twinnage and Stoic Spouse (pic 2). 
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#knitdesigner

Today. I`m mostly contemplating shoulders (pic 1) and walking with the Twinnage and Stoic Spouse (pic 2).
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#knitdesigner
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146 2

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 10

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Haven't done a knitting-and-walking photo for a while, so here's a shot from walking the twinnage to school this morning. 
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#knittingandwalking #roosimine #roosimineknitting #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #rowanfeltedtweed #estonianknitting #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning

Haven`t done a knitting-and-walking photo for a while, so here`s a shot from walking the twinnage to school this morning.
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#knittingandwalking #roosimine #roosimineknitting #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #rowanfeltedtweed #estonianknitting #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning
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208 3

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 20

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Hairy trouble is afoot. See thetwistedyarn.com or linky in profile for new blog post.

Hairy trouble is afoot. See thetwistedyarn.com or linky in profile for new blog post. ...

212 6

thetwistedyarn

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Jan 11

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Knitting in a power-cut. 
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#garn #strikkedilla #strikke #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisledesign #fairisle #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration

Knitting in a power-cut.
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#garn #strikkedilla #strikke #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisledesign #fairisle #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration
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585 14

thetwistedyarn

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Dec 31

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com,  or see link in bio.

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in bio. ...

266 6
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