on Back in Wovember 2012, our good friend Tom Van Deijnen wrote this piece for his carefully curated Wovember Words series. In it, he explores the ideas of the German naturalist and hygenist Doctor Jaeger, and how he saw WOOL as the best medicine; in lieu of this morning’s post, we are reviving Tom’s wondrous Wovember… Continue Reading Woolness from the Archives: Dr Jaeger
on Today’s Woolness Words post was written by Paula Wolton who is here to talk about ‘woolness’ in the context of pants, knitted knickers, and also lower back pain. A friend is a sports therapist dealing mainly with dancers and dance related injuries. She is sent many papers on the latest discoveries and cures for debilitating… Continue Reading WOOLNESS WORDS: #knittedknickers
on Here is Emma with her final post this week on Wool, Wellness and You. There is masses of information out there about the mental health benefits of knitting and crafting in general. This week we have spoken about woolness and the impact the individual can have on the community of wool. But woolness is also… Continue Reading Woolness and You – further support
on We’ve been really struck by how honestly Woolness & Me contributors have written about their relationship with wool and wellbeing. Victoria Bennett has written one such post of her management of anxiety with sheepy, characterful wool in her knitting. Working wool with my hands helps me to manage my anxiety. I asked my mum to… Continue Reading WOOLNESS & ME: Managing anxiety with wool
on What makes knitted fabric really special, is that it doesn’t seem hi-tech at all. It speaks an emotional and sensual language that we all respond to and inspires love and even obsession.The love in choosing yarns and colours, making every stitch and then after casting off the finished project, passing it on to a knitworthy… Continue Reading The language and connections of woolness
on “A funny thing happens when more than one knitter gathers in a public place. A solo knitter, presuming she is a woman, quickly fades into the backdrop like a potted palm or a quietly nursing mother. … A single knitter is shorthand for “nothing to see here, move on.” But when knitters gather, we become… Continue Reading WOOLNESS WORDS: The Power of Knitters
on Emma Ross is here today with her first post that focuses on wool, wellness and the individual. Craft can be a solitary pursuit, but it is also a very communal one too. Many of us can struggle taking ourselves from the periphery of our own knitting to large events and shows. You have followed the… Continue Reading The Glastonbury of Wool
on Today’s Woolness & Me post was written by Desiree Goodall, who writes about ‘woolness’ in the context of moving through grief and loss; of using wool and needles like a life raft. I was unexpectedly widowed at the age of 30 and found myself inexplicably drawn to knitting – something I hadn’t done for a… Continue Reading WOOLNESS & ME: Through grief
on Today we are delighted to welcome Emma Ross and introduce her to you as one of our Wovember contributors this year. Emma will be writing on Woolness and the Individual and Louise wanted to ask Emma a little about herself and what woolness means to her. Hi Emma! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Hi… Continue Reading Woolness and Me: Introducing Emma Ross
on Today we wanted to share this wonderful poem from Jackie Kay. We have been really struck in receiving your posts on “Woolness and me” how, for many of you wool work yields a sense of purpose; of self-definition; of dignity and of resilience. Those themes permeate this poem and are key, we feel, to woolness.… Continue Reading WOOLNESS WORDS: The Knitter, Jackie Kay