A knitting legacy: Linda Newington opens up the doors to the University of Southampton’s fascinating knitting collections

Abstract

Our fascination with the knitwear of the past seems to know no bounds - the classic, elegant knits of yesteryear continue to inspire and influence designers and knitters alike. Working to collect, preserve and share these patterns is the University of Southampton Library, whose Knitting Collections contain more than 12,000 patterns from the early 20th century to the present day.The Library holds the resources of three renowned figures from the world of knitting: Montse Stanley, Richard Ruttand Jane Waller. Through their collections, they reflect their personalities and passion for the many different aspects of knitting, and provide a legacy for future generations of knitters