Wednesday 25 September 2013

Fabric of Britain: Knitting's Golden Age


This is really worth watching. I recommend finding an hour to set aside, knit, and watch this:




I love the sensation The Prince of Wales (one of the Edwards) caused in the 1920s with a knitted vest that was 'almost vulgar' in it's brightness, and 'shocking' in it's informality! I love that he was such a sweater icon, and basically put Fair Isle on the fashion map. And did you know that in the 1930s the most fashionable swimsuits were knitted?!

19 comments:

Laura Nelkin said...

Yeah! You found a version I can watch!!!! Thanks!

Lynn said...

Surprising that knitted swimsuits don't go as saggy as I'd always thought!I think it was the Prince of Wales( Edward the 8th) who was the style icon knit wise- Prince Philip was born in 1921- so probably not golfing!!But a fascinating programme- I loved seeing the ladies knitting as they walked about- don't think I could do that!

Julie said...

Hi Lynn, You are right, eep! He's old, but not that old. I've updated the text!

Kristen Rettig said...

Oh wonderful! I cannot wait to sit down and watch this, hopefully later this afternoon!

Ashley said...

Oh! I remember seeing a preview for this and putting it on the backburner for later. Thanks so much for the link! I'll have to watch this when I have a chance :)

knitalatte said...

Oh my what a great documentary.
I loved seeing Kaffe Fassetts first sweater
with all the ends hanging about, too funny.
Thanks for the link! So glad knitting is back
in fashion and hopefully here to stay....

Krista said...

Thank you so much for posting this! Was such a nice surprise to stumble upon after a busy evening at work in the ER!
Enjoyed it very much!

kanani said...

Thank you so much for sharing! That was a well spent hour learning about knitting in Britain. Just brilliant!

WritingWillow said...

Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm a huge history geek, and combining history and knitting is just about perfect. So informative and well done. Can't wait to talk about it tonight with my knitting group. Thanks again!

D. said...

Lovely documentary, thank you!

Windybrook Spinner said...

Absolutely fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing.

Kayrine said...

Thank you for sharing this !! It was just a great moment, knitting while watching this lovely documentary...I didn't know some English soldiers knitted while prisonners during WWII, and god these fair isle sweaters at the beginning...
Thanks again !!

Brenda said...

Thanks for posting this. It's great!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this! I had such a great time watching it (while knitting). :)

Jo-ann said...

Thanks from the other side of the world down here in Australia. I'd seen people posting about this everywhere but couldn't find a version I watch! Thanks for a really pleasant Start to Sunday morning

Janet h said...

Just had a lovely lazy Sunday lunch watching this, thank you for the link.

Favourite moments were seeing the queen mum knitting, hearing about kaffe fasset talking about the Scottish landscape as his first inspiration for colours and the beautiful little baby cardigan with hearts on ( which I wish I could find the pattern for!!!!)

Love how the used the music of the times to bring it alive as well .

Julie, just love how you share and drop little moments of sunshine into my life.

Wishing yu a lovely Sunday x

Arella said...

It is such a great program! I enjoyed every minute of it!

bothaedna said...

Thank you for an informative walk down memory lane - holding onto knitting needles and yarn. I was fortunate to wear hand knitted cotton socks until I turned 10 - made by my English grandmother. What wonderful memories.

Kelly K. said...

What a wonderful documentary! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing Julie!