Wool Week @ Glasgow University came to a close on Friday with a celebration in the University Archives surrounded by items related to knit and to textiles. As the culmination of Susan McComb’s residence with us she brought along all her project materials so we could see the journey from idea to realisation, using the patterns and designs in the University architecture as inspiration for a range of knitting patterns using lovely Scottish yarns donated by Jamieson & Smith of Shetland and supplied by New Lanark. Both the Shetland heritage yarn and the New Lanark organic knitted up beautifully and Susan’s patterns made us see the University buildings in a new light. Now when I look at the University tower I will be thinking of Susan’s textured cable pattern; likewise her beautiful ‘windows’ pattern drawn from the leadwork in the windows of the Gilbert Scott building.
We will have some great memories of Wool Week: the crowds around Susan’s table on the first day; the class of archaeology students, many learning to knit for the first time; the knitting in the Library cafe (what a perfect venue); and Susan’s good humour and patience, her willingness to engage with knitters of all levels and to trudge around the University campus with her trolley of wool, patterns, needles and books.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the week a success: University of Glasgow Library and Archive services; Hospitality Services, the Knitting Groups, the School of Humanities, numerous individuals too many to name, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh who funded the project.
Here are a few photos of the last day.
