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A Gripping Yarn

Jane Garvey explores the world of knitting - full of rebels, musicians, jailbirds and reality TV. From 2014.

In A Gripping Yarn, Jane Garvey explores the world of knitting. It's a lot more exciting and dynamic than the simple 'knit one, purl one' sweater would have you believe!

Tracing its popularity from the American revolution through to modern "guerilla" knitters, Jane comes across composer such as HafdΓ­s BjarnadΓ³tti, who designs music to represent knitting patterns, and jailbirds who earn remission through knitting.

Utilised by therapists, developed by social media and discovered by Reality TV, its image is now a million miles away from the knitting granny.

Introducing Jane to this hitherto hidden world are fashion historian Dr Joanne Turney, Christine Kingdom of the UK Hand Knitting Association and Rachel Matthews, owner of an Aladdin's cave of different Yarns of all colours and textures in East London.

Producer: Joanne Watson
An Alfi production first broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in 2014.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Thu 9 Apr 2020 01:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

  • We'd like to showcase your knitting creations. (Eddie Grundy's ferret - Lynne Gilmour)

    • (www.facebook.com)
    • (twitter.com)

  • .... knit the Woman's Hour Tea Cosy

  • ...knit a Today jumper

Broadcasts

  • Wed 23 Apr 2014 11:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Wed 21 Jan 2015 11:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Wed 8 Apr 2020 06:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 8 Apr 2020 13:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 8 Apr 2020 20:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 9 Apr 2020 01:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

Featured in...

Knit Radio 4

The listeners' great knits. Morrissey & Jenni Murray via @KnittedMoz & @eatenbyweasels

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Knit one, purl one ...

Video and programmes celebrating knitting