Hebridean Knitting

When I first had allowance in the archives of the National Trust for Scotland while researching for my collection, the photo librarian showed me the images of St Kilda. St Kilda is a phenomenon, for the story of the island is documented very well. So remote, so harsh, such a close-knitted community and such a heartbreaking end. All inhabitants had to be relocated to the mainland in the 1930-s for island life had become too dangerous. Suddenly diseases and hunger had become a problem; after centuries of wellbeing. The local culture on the island had always been flourishing, and crafts such as knitting played a big role. Seeing these photo's, made by the first tourists arriving on the island, one realises how very special the atmosphere must have been. Though knitting and other hand crafts were a normal daily task, the task was a very social one. It was completely intertwined with all other community activities. What they made were necessary items such as socks, scarfs, gansey's and blankets. Since seeing these they have always been a source of inspiration for me. For research as well as designs.