Tag: needlework history

Knitting History Forum

If you are fascinated by knitting and crochet history, the Knitting History Forum is a great resource to check out.

The Knitting History Forum is an international society for the history of knitting and crochet. Their members advance and promote the history of knitting through research, exchange of ideas and information and by historical reconstruction.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the history of knitting and crochet. Their discussion forum alone has been invaluable to my own research into vintage knitting patterns. You can find out more about their work and membership here: https://knittinghistory.co.uk/

Knitting History Forum Conference

Last November, I had the wonderful experience of attending the online Knitting History Forum Conference, their annual event and AGM. It was an amazing event with a line-up of fascinating speakers sharing presentations on a variety of textile topics and needlework histories.

I was invited, as a new Canadian member, to provide a guest write-up on the experience; here’s a bit of an excerpt:

This year’s Knitting History Forum Conference was a fascinating and informative journey through knitting history and traditions featuring a roster of informative speakers presenting papers on a diverse range of topics making the 13th of November 2021 event a well-rounded conference. The theme for 2021 was Heads, Hands and Feet and the conference examined knitted artefacts and evidence of their production and social context from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The conference was a virtual, online event similar to last year, kicking off with 10 am start. For those of us in Ontario, Canada however, the conference started at an early 5 am. And that early morning alarm clock wake-up was so very well worth it!

Conference presentation topics included:

  • Knitted caps from the 16th century and their relation to the fez
  • Stockings and stocking production in 16th and 17th century England and The Netherlands
  • 18th century bluestockings
  • Hand-knitting in the Indian subcontinent
  • Knitting literature and practice in the 19th century
  • Early liturgical gloves
  • And so much more!

Conference speakers were Kirstie Buckland, Gieneke Arnolli, Lesley O’Connell Edwards, Pat Poppy, Hanna Bäckström, Jane Malcolm-Davies, Angharad Thomas, Pragya Sharma, Constance Willems and Nicole Pohl as well as a follow-up by Sandy Black on her presentation at the 2020 KHF Conference.

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If you’d like more information about the Knitting History Forum, please check out: https://knittinghistory.co.uk/

History of Tomato Pin Cushions

Metal pins are an invaluable tool for today’s needleworker and seamstress, and they were no less so for sewers throughout history. With pins came a variety of ways to store them, including boxes, cases and cushions.

15th-Century Debut

The first reference to the tomato pin cushion appears in the 15th century. Before this, as metal pins were rare and expensive, they were stored in a variety of protective cases made of bone, ivory or silver.

Tudor era

During the Tudor Era (1485-1603) it became common practice to use fancy, stuffed shapes to store needles and pins. The familiar tomato shape evolved due to the folklore surrounding the fruit, which symbolized prosperity and repelled evil spirits.

A Sign of Prosperity

A custom evolved whereby ripe tomatoes were placed on a mantel to ensure future prosperity. As real tomatoes were not always available, people created fabric tomatoes stuffed with sand or sawdust. Eventually, the stuffed, decorative tomatoes were used as pin cushions.

Victorian Era

The stuffed tomato pin cushion was further popularized in the Victorian Era. As parlor rooms became more opulent, the lady of the house displayed collections of pin cushions in various shapes (fans, dolls, shoes, fruits and vegetables), taking pride in their number and variety. The tomato pin cushion became a familiar presence.

Present Day

The most familiar pin cushion today is the red tomato. The strawberry tassel attached to the pin cushion is filled with emery and serves to clean and sharpen needles and pins.

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