Wednesday 7 October 2009

In search of knitting in Whitby

One of things I like about having a two week holiday in England, is that there is perhaps more time to spend on one's hobbies. I took up some work in progress, a couple of skeins of yarn, spare patterns, needles and even some books. Plus Diane, knitter 'par excellance', had come up with a local knitting shop: Bobbins. I wouldn't be surprised if Diane has a map up inside the door of her yarn cupboard marked with all the Yarn shops worth visiting!

Bobbins is in an old church hall in Church Street in Whitby. The old Wesley Hall opens out in a large space, where the yarns occupy one end, and a selection of old items- vintage and antique occupy the stage end. I loved the display of ganseys from along the coast, and yet again saw the Humber Star. I'm designing a baby blanket, and have decided to incorporate a number of gansey patterns, and central will be the Humber Star.




Mr S and I went a few times to the Museum, partly for me to get a look at their collection of ganseys. The first time we went the lighting was faulty, the second time it had not yet been repaired, and third time, the display had been taken down!




Not to worry though as I was put in touch with a resident who was interested in ganseys though not a knitter herself, and at her home she showed me a jumper which had been knitted up by a Whitby chap specially for her in the Whitby design and also some lovely old vintage jumpers.




The Museum did have some interesting artifacts, the knitting sticks were works of art.





On the knitting front, I managed to finish a lovely small cardi and pictured it one morning, with my growing collection of pebbles from the beach.



Then I wound up a hank of KnitWitches Welsh Mohair and silk, and started on a laminaria scarf. After two weeks back home, it is now completed, and waiting to be washed and blocked.

I love the texture of the unblocked shawl, and although this one will need to be blocked as it is the smaller version, I think I may knit the large shawl up and leave it unblocked.

1 comment:

  1. Glad you had a nice time in Whitby. I remember my sister-in-law enthusing about Bobbins a couple of years ago. Have fun designing your special baby blanket.

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