Hand-knitters can keep their 'inspirational pool of thought' brimming by visiting Craft Museums of worth around the country... but who would've thought, that only 5 mins drive from the centre of Nottingham, in the village of Ruddington, is the beautifully quaint Framework Knitters' Museum? As soon as you arrive in the village itself, you feel you are transported back in time!The Knitting Academy decided to pay it a visit, and found the Museum on Chapel street, just of the high street. We were met by Helen, who was full of amazing stories of the people who worked the machines, of those who donated the items, and the volunteers who keep the Museum running. The website is very informative, and there are many great photos of olde time, (we always find those fascinating!), : http://www.rfkm.org/ : "Visit this Victorian time-capsule and see how the knitters lived and worked"
The sock machines are worth a try, and the socks that are made there are also available to purchase in the shop. We will definitely be back for another visit. Its possible to become a 'Friend' of the Museum, for just £5 a year, you get free entry, the newsletter several times, and a discount at the shop. Bargain. Its good to think that such a small amount per person is used wisely to keep it all going.
We also met Hannah, a placement student from Trent University, who added a wonderful modern approach to all that history, and we felt she fully realises how tradition can be the basis for any modern knitwear collection, we wish her good luck in her degree course.
We really enjoyed the atmosphere the most : creativity steeped in tradition, where people cherished the things they made. We love that.
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