Knitting History Forum at the London College of Fashion
23rd June, 2007.

At the meeting held in the London College of Fashion on 23rd June the following topics were discussed:-

The difficulties of holding a meeting on a Saturday in June resulted in 20 apologies, these were generally supportive and encouraging. There had been three withdrawals.

The first AGM will be held in London on Saturday, 3rd November, 2007, somewhere in London. Location to be notified later. It will be an all-day meeting with a range of invited speakers, to include historians and practising knitters.

The work of I N Eliatamby in updating the look of the website was admired and praised. Suggestions for some kind of logo were discussed, these to be brought to the AGM for decision, together with nominations for co-ordinator for 2008. It was agreed to continue to take a stall at the ATF in Manchester - this will be held on Sunday, 9 March, 2008, but someone local is needed to organise it. Members were asked to join our private, restricted Yahoo Group for information and easy communication (http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/knittinghistory/).

Linda Newington reported that the conference in Winchester, which she is curating with Barbara Burman, will take place from 15th to 17th July, 2008. It will be called "In the Loop: Knitting Past, Present and Future" and will consist of a "big mix" featuring the work of Montse Stanley, Richard Rutt and Jane Waller. A small group of members of the Knitting History Forum are invited to a special event before the conference opens.

Congratulations were sent to Dr. Negley Harte, who chaired our inaugural meeting, on being awarded an Honorary Fellowship at UCL.

Following informal discussions on future prospects, members had the pleasure of listening to Sandy Black talk about her collection of brightly coloured knitted Bolivian hats. These were bought at various small-town markets in 1994, and show amazing technical skill in their vibrant designs and interpretation. Made in wool or cotton, with tension up to 21 stitches per inch, photographs show them combining beauty and symbolism with practical use in the mountains of South America.

We are grateful to Sandy for arranging this day and showing her hats.

Kirstie Buckland, Co-ordinator.

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