Earlier posts

Earlier posts
This blog is a continuation of an older one. To explore previous posts please click the photo above.

Saturday, 29 January 2022

Swanley Grange


Part of the Fountains Abbey estate, Swanley Grange was one of the abbey's home farms. It has recently been renovated to provide a glimpse into medieval monastic life, with a vegetable garden and various craft activities, including wool spinning, dyeing and knitting. There was nothing actually being demonstrated (mid-week and mid-winter) when I visited but there was an attractive display of spinning wheels and wool, dyed using natural plant dyes. The spiky teasel heads (above) were used to brush woollen fabric to create a raised nap. 



The subdued, natural dyes produce very attractive, softly coloured, finished knits, here combined in squares into quilts. I couldn't help but notice the resemblance to the stonework used in the buildings' construction, which also showed a multitude of subtle colours. It all made my heart sing. 


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