Tag: Wool

Gordon Cree seen knitting on Game of Wool. Photo: Channel 4

UK: Shetland Organisation of Knitters “Shocked & Saddened” by Representation in Channel 4 “Game of Wool” Show! (7.11.2025)

Small patterns in Fair Isle are referred to as “peerie patterns”, but Leask has said they “would never” refer to them as “peeries”.

“That’s never been used by a Shetlander,” she said.

“A lot of Shetlanders have said they have never even heard of that.”

Leask described the misinformation in the show as “frustrating”, and said knitters locally spent a lot of their time having to clear up similar confusion with visitors to the isles.

SOK worries now that Game of Wool will have a further damaging effect on misinformation around Shetland knitting.

“The SOK are having to stand up for ourselves,” Leask said.

“The term Fair Isle is going to be lost. Fair Isle is being used when what they are making is not Fair Isle. It’s appropriation.”

And she also railed against Game of Wool as a whole, calling the first challenge – to knit a Fair Isle tank top in 12 hours – “just unrealistic”.

Continue reading

Ebony and Ivory!

An Ovis Aries Revolution! – My Contribution to “Unherd” – I Doubt It Will Be Printed! (31.1.2025)

Sheep are very sensitive animals. This includes goats and rams – not always the same thing. Under Labour, the manner in which sheep congregate together has subtly shifted. In the average flock today, the shepherds will tell you that their is a profound sense of fear seven-days a week – and not just on Market-Day – or when the “special” lorry arrives. The texture of the wool has diminished in quality – as has the production of milk and meat. As you know, sheep-milk is used to make a myriad of alternative dairy products – including niche cheese and yoghurt. Yes – such products cost a little more – but this reflects the greater extent of labour required to manufacture these products.

Continue reading

Pennybridge Farm

Pennybridge Alpaca Farm – Mei-An’s 12th Birthday Present! (11.5.2024)

Although we initially arranged to walk three Alpacas between the four of us – it soon became apparent that two was more than enough to handle – as Kai-in was too young to handle one of these animals by herself. Mei-An, as a 12 year old – handled her Alpaca (Caesar) very well – before I took over at the half-way point. Gee and Kai-Lin walked “Percy”. Alpacas are herd animals and do not like being separated or individually man-handled. They often spit and will stand still if they do not like what is going on – so steady as you go – like sailing a ship on unpredictable waters! We think Kai-Lin’s brightly coloured dress might have alarmed the Alpacas as they seem slightly agitated when Kai-Lin came to close. Still, she did quite well regardless, and none of the Alpacas “kicked” – as these backward kicks to human groins and chins have been known to be quite deadly in the past!

Continue reading

China is a Big Place!

China: Woman Spends 5 Years Making Clothes for Impoverished Children! (4.4.2024)

Chen’s act of kindness has not gone unnoticed in her community. Inspired by her selflessness, neighbours and friends have donated various types of yarn, including wool, mohair, and cotton. Chen made sure to utilize every bit of yarn, creating full sweaters, patchwork designs, as well as scarves and gloves from leftover scraps.

“We all support her,” said Chen’s daughter Xu Tingna, who helps coordinate with charity organizations and deliver the finished products.

At first, Chen’s husband worried that she might tire herself out, but Chen’s passion and decision for knitting won support from her family.

Netizens also praised Chen, with one of them saying, “Those kind deeds bring love and warmth. You are the most beautiful grandma.”

Continue reading

Monument: Water-Trough and Cross – William Francis Gamul Farmer (1812- 1860) – BellGate Entrance – (East) Nonsuch Park [Cheam] (11.8.2022)  

Willian Francis Gamul Farmer married one ‘Matilda Farmer (nee ‘Wilkinson’) [1815-1889] and produced eleven children with here – seven boys and four girls. The names of his children were William Robert Gamul Farmer, Thomas Allix Farmer, Matilda Frances Farmer, George Lancelot McLean Farmer, Margaret Anna Farmer, Emily Mary Farmer, Charles Edward Farmer, Revd. James Edmund Gamul Farmer, Henry Lowth Farmer, Catherine Augusta Farmer and Francis Colebrooke Farmer. He inherited from his grandfather when aged 26 years old (in 1838) and again from his father – William Meeke Farmer (1778-1840) – when he was 28 years old in 1840! This is why he lived the care-free life associated with the landed gentry. Willian Francis Gamul Farmer was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey before reaching the Office of High Sheriff of the County of Surrey – when he received his appointment in 1849 (when he was around 37 years old). Indeed, so important a person was he – that an oil painting was commissioned to record this important event – which seems to show him around 37 years old (although I cannot find any verification for the date or the name of the artist, etc).  

Continue reading