Upton St Leonard’s WI: Bronwen Owens from Aston Ingham near Newent gave an interesting talk on knitting

ACROSS the rolling hills of the limestone escarpment, Cotswold sheep known as the Cotswold Lion roamed, their thick woollen fleeces supplied the local woollen mills in the Painswick and Stroud valleys, and against this background the woollen and textile industry was born.

Our speaker Bronwen Owens from Aston Ingham near Newent gave an interesting talk on knitting which she learnt from her grandmother who ran a knitting wool shop, also her mother was a fine needle woman so wool and fibres were bred in Bronwen from the tender age of four years old.

Later old cottage industries of weaving and spinning were added to her talents.

Embroiderers were usually upper class ladies, even royalty, but knitting came later, about 400 years ago, taken up by lower class peasants as they carried their wool to knit tending their sheep or animals over fields and hills, no rest for them!

Knitting has expressions as to throw it, or naal binding, and on four needles knitting in the round.

Bronwen showed us the Monmouth Gap, which was worn under steel helmets to give warmth and protection to the head.

Protein makes fibre, and strange food items such as bananas, milk and soya were shown to us as fibre.

Also a selection of soft merino wool, alpaca hair and blue faced Leicester; her favourite very soft wool, also seaweed, bamboo and even oil properties believe it or not.

Needles and wool vary in size and thickness, socks are usually knitted on four needles and can have no seams, and continental knitting is the fastest.

William Lee invented the knitting machine which produces fast work.

Designer Kaffe Fassett is known for his vivid colours and style.

The Prince of Wales sported fair isle sweaters and cardigans making it very fashionable to wear and are still one of the leading favourites today.

This was a good insight into knitting yarns and fibres, so ladies get busy with your needles.

A very warm round of applause followed with a vote of thanks from Lynne.

President Diane Thomas welcomed visitor Debbie Molloy who enjoyed our company and all our WI ladies.

A beading workshop takes place on Thursday, April 8, £18.50, closing date Monday, April 4.

Our Fashion Show, Friday, April 8, tickets £5, please support and bring friends. Upton St Leonard’s Spring Show was well supported, Lynne was second in the Cat Basket class, Kathy Quant gained one first, two seconds and a third in various flower classes.

Friday, May 6, group rally £4.50, yarn bombing for the Queen.

Denman needs our support, suggested amount £10 per person over two years.

All other news in GFWI newsletter.

We meet again in Upton St Leonard's Village Hall on Monday, April 4, for a talk 'Flowers in Healing' by speaker Caroline Sheldrick, trade, table and raffle, 7.30pm. All ladies very welcome