Victory!

I have looked and cannot find a video of how a sheath works. I understand the basic principle involved but I cannot figure out HOW to actually do it without seeing it done. Can you direct me to a reference if there is one please?

On the general subject of passing on traditional crafts - I was taught Manx quilting by a Manx woman who had migrated to Australia. She had not learned the method until she returned to the Island 30(?) years after leaving, and had developed an interest in quilting. She was taught by possibly the last traditional Manx quilter at that time, and she in turn taught me. There are now probably more Manx quilters in my rural community in Australia than on the Isle of Mann itself. Ironically, she has now returned to the Isle and teaches quilting there.

The method was used by fisherfolk to re-life thinning blankets, and used a pattern that developed into the well-known log cabin block. All measurements were based on hand size (so individual quilters made different sized blocks) and fabrics were torn rather than cut. The quilters were mostly illiterate and had no way to record/read measurements, and cutting tools were restricted to basic fishing knives - no scissors. Manx quilts have no batting but are constructed in such a way that a layer of air is created between the fabrics when the quilt is shaken out. They were also not quilted, but tied to old thinning blankets making them heavy but VERY warm. There are very few old Manx quilts still in existence as they were made from used fabrics by poor folk who used them until they literally fell to pieces, but I have been told there are a couple in the museum on the Isle.

I have taught many quilters the traditional method, and although they are facinated by the origins of the quilts they (like me) prefer to use a few modern tools to make the process a little easier. The early Manx quilters were eminently practical and they would certainly have used such tools if they had been available. I think they would approve. Modern quilts tend to be MUCH larger than the old quilts they made so we often machine our blocks together for strength, but the basic method is alive and well and now in "the colonies".

Mirjam,

In shore, British fleets did not have much time for knitting - they rowed out, they fished, and they rowed back - no time for knitting. Fishing involved either continuous rowing or jigging. This was professional fishing, not sitting on the bank waiting for a bite. There was not much time for knitting, or space for knitting. Have you ever spent a day on a fishing schooner? Have you ever knit in a small boat at sea without getting sea sick? I can, but most can not.

The only fishermen with time for knitting were the whalers and cod fishers on the Newfoundland Banks. Not part of our story at all.

And yes, I have lived without electricity for months at a time with only wood for heat or cooking fuel. Coal, or peat or petroleum is much more convenient than wood. The inside of the cloth walls would glaze with ice. If we touched them or the wind blew, we would be showed with flakes of ice. Then, it warmed up and we were wet for weeks. We did not have child care duties, but we did have research chores that had to be done.

I do not mind it cool, so I turn the heat off when my wife is out of the house. Mostly, I do my hard knitting in the morning's light, but knitting in the dark or by moon light is just a matter of practice. There is an almost full moon to night - try it. A couple of evenings per week, I knit while my wife watches movies. That is quite a low light environment - darker than tonight's moonlight, and I mostly I knit in the dark, without any problem. Sometimes, I get to a hard spot, and have to put it aside for the morning's light, but not often. But I admit it, I had the lights on last night as did my first and second moebious.

Aaron

All the more reason to take a bale of ganseys across to the Admiralty on the mainland, and thereby passed by a pub.

My favorite picture of a man knitting is "the Knitters of Gayle" by Edmond Bogg and reprinted on page 13 of Mary Thomas's Knitting Book.

Guess I will just have to wait. Put me down for a first run copy!

Aaron, Is there a picture of this wonderful garment where we can see it?

Higs, Katherine

Thanks for sharing that Cheryl:) This was new to me. I have looked at them on the net and they are very beautiful

If you would like to try this method please let me know. I have class notes and instructions that I am happy to pass on. It is a very easy and portable method of quilt making. I could fit all the tools and materials for a day's sewing into one pocket - very handy when travelling.

Thank you Cheryl, I will:)

Me too!

=Tamar