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Home » Articles » Decorative knitting sheaths (Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery)Decorative knitting sheaths (Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery)
A collection of decorative knitting sheaths from Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery.
A collection of decorative knitting sheaths from Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery.
Knitting sheaths were given as love tokens in the same was as lovespoons. They would be skilfully and often elaborately carved by a suitor and given to his sweetheart. At the beginning of the 19th century, this custom was confined to the peasantry but gradually, the knitting sheath became popular in the Victorian parlours and some were carved out of ivory, metal and other materials as well as wood.
These knitting sheaths did serve a practical purporse and would be worn on the right side of the body, at an angle. In the sheath would be placed the bottom of the knitting needle, leaving the left hand to work the yarn on the other kneedle. The sheath was supposed to hold the weight of the wool thus preventing the hooks from falling off the end of the knitting needles.
Source: Catrin Stevens, 'Arferion Caru' (Llandysul, 1977)
