Keeping it Creel

Exciting news! If you are in Kintyre or Argyll and fancy joining me at the Campbeltown Museum on February 7th or 21st to learn about the history of local gansey knitting (and knit your own miniature version) then please register for a Keeping it Creel place on the CHARTS Eventbrite page. (Tickets to these workshops are completely free, but they are also limited!)

Three miniature knitted sweaters hanging on a clothesline against a stone wall.

The excellent Keeping it Creel project has been developed by CHARTS (Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles) and has been made possible by the Stafford Trust with further support from liveArgyll, Argyll and Bute Council, Creative Scotland, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Logo featuring a stylized fish creel with the text 'KEEPING IT CREEL' above and wavy lines below, symbolizing fishing and conservation.

Fishing and knitting are closely intertwined in Kintyre, and generations of women in Campbeltown have created beautiful, original pullovers worn at sea. The Campbeltown gansey is an original form of maritime workwear and an important expression of local culture and identity. My workshops will place gansey knitting within the wider context of the West Coast of Scotland’s maritime culture, celebrating history through acts of practical, creative making.

A string of miniature knitted sweaters hanging on clothespins, with a blurred background.

There are four workshops over two Saturdays in February. Three of the workshops are for adult participants only, and the fourth is a family workshop, at which anyone can attend (as long as you are over 8 years old). Knitters of all abilities are very welcome, and all materials – including yarn and pattern to create your own miniature gansey – will be provided.

Three miniature knitted sweaters hanging on a clothesline against a stone wall.

Would you like to join me for Keeping it Creel?

Two small knitted sweaters hanging on a line against a stone wall, with a small bird perched nearby.

I can’t promise my robin friend will join us, but I look forward to seeing you there!


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Comments

20 responses to “Keeping it Creel”

  1. These miniature sweaters are beautiful. Will you consider making the patterns available? I would love to attend in person, but it is not possible. Would you consider a virtual class? So fun!
    Best regards, Alice

  2. Wish I lived closer!

  3. Jane Starey Avatar
    Jane Starey

    I would love to join you but live in South Devin so too far to come for just a day sadly

  4. Jane Rees Avatar

    I hope to join you for this.

  5. Jan Williamson Avatar
    Jan Williamson

    Looks fabulous, so wish I could go! If you’re ever in Australia…

    1. Sharon Weiss Avatar
      Sharon Weiss

      That’s what I was about to write!

  6. Jacqueline Boxer Avatar
    Jacqueline Boxer

    Like many others overseas, I would have loved to join you – what fun & how interesting it will be! Enjoy! XXX

  7. Karen Stickle Avatar
    Karen Stickle

    I hope it could be possible to buy the knitting patterns for anybody unable to attend this event please.Thanks.

  8. electricbill57 Avatar
    electricbill57

    Oh how I wish I could attend!  Living

  9. Catarina Penalosa Avatar
    Catarina Penalosa

    Booked a place and a dog-friendly room in the Argyll Hotel. Splurged £5 for a sea view. Looking forward to it! Love learning about local knitting history.

  10. Annette Hunter Avatar
    Annette Hunter

    Could this be shown online? Sent from my iPhone

  11. Dear Kate & Co
    this is so nice and interesting , I hope it could be possible to buy the pattern ?
    thanks in advance
    an

  12. Susan bandel Avatar
    Susan bandel

    Oh how I wish I could be there!!! My family came fron Campbellton. They worked in the distillery. I cried when I stepped off the bus to know my family walked these precious streets. Visited the fabulous museum and the place where they lived. Even the cemetery. Best whiskey and salmon I’ve ever had. Susan Mackay . Btw I’ve knitted quite a few of your patterns and love your yarn.

  13. Laurie Rabut Avatar
    Laurie Rabut

    Hello Kate from ‘across the pond’ in Vermont US.
    I have your books, love your posts and read them with joy.
    Thank you for the beauty and inspiration you spread far and wide.
    I love the miniature sweaters. How I wish I could participate in this workshop! Is there any way you might make patterns and instructions available for those of us who are far away to purchase? Here in southern Vt some local artists have been working with a miniature theme and it is so much fun. 110 artists made pieces for a Victorian Dollhouse that was displayed in Brattleboro Vt (tiny paintings, sculpture, stained glass, rugs, furniture etc). In addition, dozens of storefronts created window displays with a miniature theme and the yarn store win 1st prize for their rendering of their store in miniature including more tiny skeins of yarn than you can imagine fashioning! Lovely way to perk up the town for the holidays!

  14. Sue Mayo Avatar

    These look lovely, I so wished I lived nearer.
    Is there any chance you’ll release this as pattern for those to far away to come? Thanks x

  15. Leslie Maddock Avatar
    Leslie Maddock

    This sounds so fun!!! If you are ever able to arrange for this class or presentation to be online, I would jump at the chance to join in. (I live in Atlanta, GA.) If that is not practical, I would also love to get (or buy) the patterns for these delightful miniatures.

    thanks,
    Leslie Maddock

  16. Rachael Crowder Avatar
    Rachael Crowder

    Happy New Year Kate – this looks like a great workshop!

    I wish I could attend – those gainsays are adorable and I would love to come but I live in Canada! I hope at some point you might make that pattern available on Ravelry so that those of us who cannot attend can still have the pleasure of making that miniature sweater!

    With kindness
    Rachael
    Prince Edward Island Canada

  17. Susan Botterill Avatar
    Susan Botterill

    What a lovely thing to do Kate.

    I wish I lived in Argyle and Bute and could attend. Hope you will all have a great day together..

    Sue Botterill

  18. What a wonderful project. Those miniatures are adorable 🥰.

    I can only lurk (from Michigan) and look forward to watching from afar.

    Happy New Year, Kathleen

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