I am trying to find out if there was a fisherman’s jumper knitting pattern for Hull. Like the Guernsey (or Gansey) fisherman’s sweater - all of the Yorkshire coastal villages had a specific knitting cable pattern, that could be identified to it’s place of origin on living (and dead) fishermen. Once the fishing became industrialized the Humber Keel Men and other small fishing communities were subsumed by the Fishing Fleets of Hull.
Some said there was a Hull knit – locally known as ‘Hessle Road Tartan’. I have found
hand –knit jumpers of unusual patterns in the museum. Others said the ‘Tartan’ reference is to the neckerchiefs that the men wore under the collar of the jumper to stop the wet wool chafing and creating saltwater-sores.
I am looking into developing this research as performance, installation. But also working with some local women – maybe a knitting circle. Maybe we can find or re-make a pattern for Hull?
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very interesting idea - I’ve asked the curators at Hull Museums Social History about this, waiting to hear news. Meanwhile I found this website - (you may have seen it before) perhaps the knitting circle? http://www.manorhouse.clara.net/knitwear/history.htm
would love to get involved!
all the best Adele