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The Home of Hand- and Machine-Knitting and Crochet– Education, Innovation, Preservation Guild Open Days: Dates for 2009 Guild Library Working Days: Something to sell … buy, swap, barter or just give away? K&CG Members' Yahoo Group Advertise in 'SlipKnot'– our quarterly journal? About the GuildWelcome to the Knitting & Crochet GuildWe were formed to promote and encourage the crafts of hand-knitting, machine-knitting and crochet. Background and ActivitiesThe Knitting & Crochet Guild is a registered national educational charity supported by subscriptions and donations and administered by volunteers. It was established in 1978 to preserve and nurture the skills of knitting and crochet and to conserve what is a major part of our cultural and craft heritage. Now entering its 31st year, the Guild has accumulated an important and rapidly-growing Collection of garments, samples, domestic knitting machines, yarns, tools and ephemera related to knitting and crochet over the last 200 years, as well as setting up a well-stocked Library of books, periodicals and patterns. The Guild has also been successful in mounting exhibitions and running courses and workshops as part of an expanding education programme. It has been active in producing commercial publications, establishing a book and Pattern Search Service and HelpLine, publishing a substantial quarterly journal (SlipKnot), setting up regional groups, providing displays and clinics at national yarn fairs, selling Heritage Kits and much more. Aims and ObjectivesThe Guild aims to promote the crafts of knitting and crochet by raising public awareness of these traditional skills and drawing attention to their usefulness, versatility and beauty. There is also a need to promote a feeling of fellowship amongst those still practising these crafts, including ethnic groups with their own knitting and crocheting traditions, and to encourage people to share their common heritage. The Next StepThe next step in the expansion of Guild activities is a major one. A Museum / Education Centre needs to be established in large safe and secure premises to allow the now large Collection and separate Library (currently housed in temporary facilities) to be used to their full potential. |