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#Archive30 #Fashion Archive & Library Assistant Louise here! I like looking at textiles in our photograph collection. Everyday handmade items are so interesting to me. I want to share a thread of some images from Eriskay in 1934, from ©The Estate of Werner Kissling
Kissling (1895-1988) was an ethnographic photographer and film-maker who visited many areas and countries over his career, documenting traditional life and work. He also worked for the School of Scottish Studies during the 1950s as a fieldwork photographer. #archive30
What I love about his collection is the stories that they tell about people and their life and work. The hand-made items worn also have their own stories. These two images show men wearing ganseys. Ganseys/Geansaidh/ Guernseys/Jerseys were traditional garments made for fishermen
Constructed using a tightly spun yarn and long steel knitting pins, the garment was both wind/waterproof. Raised patterns were made by purl stitches; there are hundreds of designs which all have relevance to the land & sea, as well as personal relevance.
Gansey patterns travelled as widely as the fishing fleets did.
Kate & Catriona MacNeill from Barra discuss ganseys
http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/67247
and Daisy Aitchison from Eyemouth taught Aillie Munro and Alan Bruford how to knit some of the gansey stitches
http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/78803
Kate & Catriona MacNeill from Barra discuss ganseys
http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/67247
and Daisy Aitchison from Eyemouth taught Aillie Munro and Alan Bruford how to knit some of the gansey stitches
http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/78803
Another image shows Iain MacMillan wearing an Eriskay Gansey. This style features two sets of vertical designs, separated by a horizontal band. This one has the Eye of God pattern in the central panel with two tree of life. The horizontal band represents the sea or fishing nets
Another of my favourites from the Kissling is this unnamed woman. Her shawl is crocheted in a dark wool with fringing around the edges. Her hand-knit jumper is very plain and has seen a bit of wear on the front, but has a lovely, simple detail where the shoulders were grafted.
Far too many details in these textiles and their histories for one twitter thread, but definitely worth taking time to look a little closer. You can view some of Kissling's images from our collection via @Scranlife https://bit.ly/3cJhvOO #ARA30
©The Estate of Werner Kissling
©The Estate of Werner Kissling
