What's on my Bookshelf as a Fibre Arts Researcher?

Always have I been an avid reader.

I was, probably, a reader way long before I became a crafter.

But, it often went hand-in-hand. I would create my own pop-up books and stories for my younger siblings out of paper and pencil. They all had the same kind of themes; "Where's my blanket?" or something like that is one I can recall. Once, a long time ago, I saw myself wanting to become an author. It's still something that sits in the back of my mind... one day?

So, it's safe to say, for as long as I can remember, reading has been a favourable hobby.

During lockdown, before I picked up knitting again for good, we would often spend hours in the bookstore. A stack of books would accumulate. Quite often historical fiction (surprise, surprise) for me, and crime of some sort for my boyfriend. 

I find books are much like yarn, too. A fun thing to collect and sit pretty on a shelf until the perfect day comes calling. 

I don't know when I officially started my craft book journey. Collecting tends to be a thing that creeps up on you, until one day you actually look and realise, wow... I have a lot of stuff.

It wasn't until I started putting together my craft books for a post that I realised. 

But, as a self-proclaimed fibre arts researcher, I love having history at my finger tips. And, books are possibly one of the best ways to add something to research. Now, this isn't every craft book I own, but this is the base of my craft bookshelf. I've either flicked through, referenced, or placed something on the TBR pile from this list. You can definitely expect me to come back and write another post at some point reviewing these books and, most likely, showing off some new ones.

The Penguin Knitting Book, James Norbury, 1957. Republished 2014

Get it from bookshop.org

It felt like this book was following me for years. Taunting me. Telling me to add it to my, initially tiny, collection of crafty books. I caved at Christmas and I honestly don't know why I didn't get it any sooner.

It's filled with over 60 knitting patterns from vests, to children's (and dog) jumpers, and homeware. Now, I'm not certain there will be many a pattern in this book that I will attempt, which is possibly why I put off picking this book up for so long.

But, the introductory pages are a huge insight into knitting in the 1950s. Personally, I never knew people used to block their knitwear with an iron.

Traditional Knitting from the Scottish and Irish Isles, Debbie Bliss and Sandra Lousanda, 1992

Often available second hand from Ebay and alike

This one is especially special to me. My grandparents surprised me with it when I visited them last year. They had found it in a secondhand books shop and grabbed it for me. I am so pleased they did.

I love to visit secondhand bookshops and look in their craft sections. They tend to be filled with things like paper crafts and needlepoint, but often there is a fibre art gem. I really regret putting back a Beatrix Potter knitting book I found in a National Trust bookshop. 

This book in particular has inspired my Traditional Knit Project. You can read about that in a blog post here!

The Golden Fleece, Esther Rutter, 2020

Get this from estherrutter.co.uk

One to come back to, because I got it for Christmas and haven't had the chance to read it, yet!

Not to say I'm not excited, and I have heard a lot of good things! I've had a flick through, and read the first chapter and I think there will be a lot more rabbit holes for me to get lost down once I properly tuck in. 

It'll end up becoming a book I constantly pick up, then put down and go off to research something interesting, find some new things to tell all you about, then remember to pick up again. Those are the best types of books anyway, the ones that teach you something without explicitly feeding you the information.

Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans, Gladys Thompson, 1971

Get it from blackwells.co.uk (check your LYS, because they might have it, too) 

Such an amazing recommendation made by a follower (thank you!) and another reference for my upcoming Traditional Knits Project.

There are so many different types of guernsey pattern, each stitch inspired by different fishing communities. Now, the patterns are a little difficult to understand compared to modern standards, so a comprehensive knowledge of knitting is required, in my opinion, to tackle them. 

When I flicked through, I got a tad overwhelmed. But, I think they'll be easy enough to decipher once I get into it- stay tuned. 

The Wisdom of Sheep & Other Animals, Rosamund Young, 2023

Get it from faber.co.uk

I am embarrassed to say I haven't read far through this one. If only I could knit and read simultaneously, then I could conquer the world. 

I'm a few chapters into this one and it is so heart-warming. It's just full of almost mini stories about family farming, and their herd of ridiculous sheep. 

Review incoming, once I finally figure out how to read and knit at the same time. 

The Wonder of Wool, Justine Lee & Jess Morency, 2025

Get it from davidandcharles.com (also check your LYS, because they might have it, too) 

Woah! The research that went into this one is immense. So many UK sheep breeds are included, detailing their characteristics and properties, describing what they are best used for, ect. Plus- patterns to suit the specific wool!

I have a pattern from this book lined up already... I just need to clear my WIP pile a little more before I can cast on another project! 

Irish Aran, Vawn Corrigan, 2019

Get it from Waterstones.com

What I didn't realise, is that this book is part of a pair with Irish Tweed. So, another one to add to the TBR.

Aran knitting will always have such a place in my heart, particualry because my boyfriend's family is Irish, but also because it has one of the biggest myths in all of knitting heritage. 

Many believe that the wives of the fishermen who once wore these aran sweaters, knitted specific cables for means of identification. Essentially, every fisherman would have an easily identifiable sweater in case he went overboard, or was lost at sea. Whilst it's a really cool myth, it's just that. Cable patterns were more so inspired by the landscapes and cultures of Ireland, similar to ganseys. This book takes a deep dive into Irish knitting.

The Thread, Victoria Hislop, 2012

Get it from Waterstones.com

Finally, a historical fiction! Victoria Hislop is one of my all time favourite authors (I highly recommend Those Who Are Loved,) and when I saw this one had been re-released, I was shocked I hadn't already read it.

Hislop's books usually take the same direction. It's usually grandparents telling their grandchildren about a point in their lives, this book specifically is how the met. They're always set in Greece and describe the most beautiful areas that I one day hope to visit.