How University Of Glasgow Is Reviving The Art of Knitting

There are ways and then there are more ways to keep our traditions alive. A university in the UK has found a novice way of keeping the tradition of knitting alive, by launching a book on knitting patterns based on the architecture of the university.

The University of Glasgow has collated a book of such patterns that were invited from designers from all over Scotland and are based on the ‘iconic’ cloisters on the Gilmorehill campus and the ‘modernism’ of the library.

The university has gone ahead and also employed knitter who resides with the university and will help in creating the patterns.  Staff and students have been alike, invited to take part in the competition to produce original knitting patterns that are inspired by the university. They have also been encouraged to use Cochno wool.

University actually launched its own wool in 2018, called the Cochno that was well received by knitters around the world. The book named as the Knitting The University of Glasgow, is a joint venture between the university’s Professor Lynn Abrams, Professor Marina Moskowitz from the University of Wisconsin and Christelle Le Riguer from Glasgow’s School of Humanities.

Prof Moskowitz said: “Our aim as historians is to investigate the place and significance of hand-knitted textiles to Scotland’s economy and culture, in the past, the present, and the future.

“Studying knitting can be used to think about the role of craft in linking individual creativity to economic pursuits, local design traditions to national heritage, and domestic economies to the creative economy of Scotland. Scotland’s rich heritage of hand-knitted textiles contributes to other national industries, such as tourism and fashion.”

Prof Abrams also said that, “The genesis of this book of knitting patterns, inspired by the built environment of the University of Glasgow, lies in research carried out by historians at the University of Glasgow into the economies and cultures of hand-knitting in Scotland from the 18th century to the present.

“Scotland’s long tradition of knitwear production is rightly celebrated. It feels fitting therefore to celebrate the beauty of the University of Glasgow’s iconic buildings in knitted form. We hope that this book will be as well received by knitters around the world as our own branded wool – Cochno Wool – was when we launched that in 2018.”