External links to other useful websites

The external links in this section are about membership organisations and websites which offer useful reference material and information.

Information about local Guild groups and activities is listed in What's On or look at details for other groups and activities.

This contact information is provided in good faith for the benefit of members and others. The Knitting & Crochet Guild does not necessarily recommend the individuals or organisations listed here and cannot accept any responsibility for any consequences of any dealings anyone contacting them may have.

Shop on-line for a big range of products and services at http://buy.at/kcg

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Academic/history/museums

Dales Knitting Tradition With a history which spans four centuries find out how the Knitting Tradition had its origins in York and was forced into more rural parts, eventually finding its way into the Yorkshire Dales, where it has become an established trade and artform.

Harris Museum and Art Gallery has important collections and exhibitions of costume and textiles  

Knitting History Forum We are an International multi-period society originally founded by the late Montse Stanley in 1993. Our members are engaged in studying the history of knitting, and in historical reconstruction.

Knitting Together The heritage of the East Midlands knitting industry with online gallery

Richard Rutt collection at University of Southampton. A particular distinction and strength of this collection is the range and number of nineteenth century knitting books which commenced publication in the 1830s. Several of these items can be viewed online.

Ruddington Framework Knitters's Museum Step back into another era, visit this Victorian time-capsule and see how the knitters lived and worked.

Victoria and Albert Museum has a world famous collection of all decorative arts and textiles, including knitting. Please note that the textile galleries at the museum are closed until 2013 when the new Clothworkers Centre opens at Blythe House.

Crafts, guilds, specialist organisations and societies

Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers The objectives are the preservation and improvement of the craftsmanship in hand weaving, spinning and dyeing for the benefit of the public and the promotion of public education in such craftsmanship.

Association Textile Européene de Liaison d'Innovation d'Echange et de Recherche  A.T.E.L.I.E.R. (European Association for Study, Liaison, Innovation, Research into Textiles) is an association whose members are breeders (sheep, Mohair goats, cashmere rabbits or alpacas), shearers, spinners, weavers or knitters, small industrialists or craftsmen, artists or researchers. Site in French and English

British Button Society  The British Button Society was formed in 1976 by a group of people interested in collecting buttons and researching their history. There is a wealth of history around buttons and their manufacture - members' interests include: military, railway, hunt, livery and dress buttons - many of which are real works of art.

Crochet Guild of AmericaThe Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of crochet.

Guild of Machine Knitters The Guild is run by machine knitters for machine knitters, all on a totally voluntary basis. Our aims are geared towards the short, medium and long-term promotion of machine knitting as a craft for the benefit of all - individual knitters, clubs, professional designers, manufacturers, suppliers etc.

Heirloom Knitting is dedicated to those who love the beauty of hand knitted Shetland Lace and who also enjoy traditional lace knitting (sometimes known as white knitting).

International Freeform Crochet Guild Freeform crochet is like painting

Knitting beyond the HebridesThe KBTH website and list are dedicated to those wanting to share information and techniques about traditional forms of knitting, such as Fair Isle, Aran and Guernsey.

National Sheep Association includes a guide to breeds of sheep in the UK

Ring of Tatters An international organisation to support the craft of tatting

The Textile Society The Textile Society is a unique forum for textile professionals and enthusiasts. The Society promotes the study of textile disciplines and celebrates the history and culture of textiles, both traditional and contemporary

UK Hand Knitting Association The 'Knitty-pedia' of all things hand knitting and crochet

Education

Check our list of courses, tuition and workshops within our education section.

Knitting and crochet chat and online groups

Cast-Off Knitting Club:

Crochet me Website from publishers Interweave

Crochet Partners Free discussion group with a full range of services for crochet lovers

Ravelry is a free site for knitters and crocheters for which a login is required. The Guild has its own group, KCG, for members and visitors 

Patterns

Antique Pattern Libray This ongoing project is an effort to scan needlework pattern books that are in the public domain, to preserve them, so we can keep our needlework heritage in our hands.

Yarns and yarn industry organisations

Craft Yarn Council The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) represents the leading yarn companies, accessory manufacturers, magazine, book publishers, and consultants in the yarn industry in America