It is still an enigma how the Ackworth School sampler medallion motifs originated - they seem to have sprung fully formed without a prior period of development. And to what practical use, if any, were they put? Were they, for example, ever copied onto linens for decoration? Nothing has been found to date. When the motifs do occur elsewhere, it is always on knitted silk pinballs. So was Mary's sampler a stitched knitting pattern? The pinballs were made as mementos and also for publicizing special causes, most notably the Anti-slavery Movement which had as a symbol a kneeling slave. The kneeling slave occurs on two samplers. (There is a free download of this motif and I'll put it in the download gallery for you.) Pinballs with the words 'A Token of Love' were given to prisoners (who would often be Quakers imprisoned for not paying their tithes) as a token of God's love, to show they were not forgotten. I realised how important it would be to reconstruct the pinballs and to find out how they could be made. This was where the genius and skills of Erica Uten, a Belgian fine-stitcher, came into play. She was able, never having attempted anything like this at all in her life, to reconstruct the fine silk knitting which is made on knitting needles the size of the needle you are using to stitch Mary Wigham. She designed and knitted 12 pinballs based on the Ackworth medallions, we made them up and the whole process was recorded in her lovely book Tokens of Love. Her very special work will be featured in the September/October 2009 Piecework.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Mysterious Ackworth School Medallions and Erica Uten
It is still an enigma how the Ackworth School sampler medallion motifs originated - they seem to have sprung fully formed without a prior period of development. And to what practical use, if any, were they put? Were they, for example, ever copied onto linens for decoration? Nothing has been found to date. When the motifs do occur elsewhere, it is always on knitted silk pinballs. So was Mary's sampler a stitched knitting pattern? The pinballs were made as mementos and also for publicizing special causes, most notably the Anti-slavery Movement which had as a symbol a kneeling slave. The kneeling slave occurs on two samplers. (There is a free download of this motif and I'll put it in the download gallery for you.) Pinballs with the words 'A Token of Love' were given to prisoners (who would often be Quakers imprisoned for not paying their tithes) as a token of God's love, to show they were not forgotten. I realised how important it would be to reconstruct the pinballs and to find out how they could be made. This was where the genius and skills of Erica Uten, a Belgian fine-stitcher, came into play. She was able, never having attempted anything like this at all in her life, to reconstruct the fine silk knitting which is made on knitting needles the size of the needle you are using to stitch Mary Wigham. She designed and knitted 12 pinballs based on the Ackworth medallions, we made them up and the whole process was recorded in her lovely book Tokens of Love. Her very special work will be featured in the September/October 2009 Piecework.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Where exactly is the download gallery? I would really like to get the anti-slavery motif that you talk about. I went to the Books, Carts and Other Delights area but didn't find anything. Also could seem to click on any link in the text for it. Just needing a little more help navigating the site and getting up to speed. Thank you for making it available though, I do appreciate that very much.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you couldn't find the download gallery - it was at the bottom of the side-bar - so now I have moved it up for you. Once you know what it looks like, then it will be easier to find when I do the periodic rearrangements....I hope!
ReplyDeleteErica is indeed a very talented lady and knitting on these fine needles is quite a skill. Tokens of Love is such a beautiful book.
ReplyDeleteI have the lovely book of pinballs but cannot find any suitable needles. Do you have any suggestions or know who I could contact to get some information?
ReplyDeleteFor Annie,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can find needles on shops who sells supplies for Dolls Houses. Or Google 'miniature knitting'. There are some internet shops who sells tiny knitting needles.
Hope this helps.
Have a nice knitting time,
Erica
I have also see crafty people insert the ends of the knitting needles into the shafts of recycled art paintbrushes to make them easier to work with.....
ReplyDeleteI was able to get tiny needles at purseparadise.com as knitting beaded purses is a similar gauge. i do have to knit under a magnifying lamp though!
ReplyDelete