Museums and other places to visit
Most museums display only a fraction of their collections at any one time. Their associated website may show the extent of their holdings. If you want to see a specific item, check that it is currently on display before taking the time to visit; if an item is not on display you may be able to book an appointment to see it.
This list is by no means exhaustive, if you know of others which may be of interest do let us know by contacting our Guild Secretary using the contact form. Please use the same form if you think one of our current entries should be updated.
Map of Museums to visit
List of Museums (includes online collections)
Dales Countryside Museum
The Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes contains the collection of Marie Hartley and Joan Ingilby of knitted artefacts used in the Dales, including knitting sheaths …
Fashion Museum, Bath
The Fashion Museum, Bath is one of the world’s great museum collections of historic and fashionable dress. The museum also holds an extensive archive of knitting and crochet magazines and patterns. January 2023: The Museum is moving to a new home in central Bath. See its website for opening details and how to access the archive collection …
Framework Knitters Museum, Nottingham
The Framework Knitters Museum, Nottingham lets you step back into another era, visit this Victorian time-capsule and see how the framework knitters lived and worked …
Future Museum, South West Scotland
The Future Museum, South West Scotland a collaboration between the local council and independent museums in SW Scotland and provides free access to the collections via its website. Plenty of information on Sanquhar knitting, patterns, images etc …
Gallery of Costume, Manchester
Gallery of Costume, Platt Hall Manchester has examples of knitwear in its collection and in 2013 hosted an exhibition – Knitted Elegance: Creative Fashion since the 1950s …
Glove Collection Trust
The Glove Collection Trust was established as a charity to advance knowledge of the historical, social and artistic value of gloves. In 2003 The Worshipful Company of Glovers of London gifted the Trust its collection of about 250 items, and since then the collection has expanded to over 2,000 items, which includes knitted gloves. The collection can be viewed online, and includes high quality images. Note: From 30th October 2022 it will not be possible to view the gloves at the Fashion Museum and they will be moved to temporary storage. Tours and viewings of The Glove Collection will …
Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston
The Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston has important collections and exhibitions of costume and textiles. Note January 2023: the Harris is temporarily closed for major construction work …
Knitting Reference Library
The Knitting Reference Library (KRL) is on the Winchester campus of the University of Southampton. It includes the published works collected by Montse Stanley, Richard Rutt and Jane Waller. These comprise books, exhibition catalogues, knitting patterns, journals and magazines …
Museum of London
The Museum of London has some modern pieces as well as a host of historic items, tudor caps, mittens etc …
Sheringham Museum
Sheringham Museum has a large collection of ganseys and knitting tools. In 2020 it acquired the knitting collection of the late Michael Harvey, which includes both artefacts and research papers …
Shetland Museum and Archives
Shetland Museum & Archives has a substantial collection of lace and Fair Isle garments. It also holds an extensive photograph library providing information on the history and life on the islands …
Victoria & Albert Museum
Victoria & Albert Museum has a world famous collection of all decorative arts & textiles, including knitting. The V&A website showcases many of their knitted items …
Exhibitions
Here is a selection of upcoming exhibitions that we know about.
Knitted Together: The Korean Lives and Legacies of Richard and Joan Rutt – 28 Sept 2024 – 4 May 2025
Knitted Together: The Korean Lives and Legacies of Richard and Joan Rutt is a temporary exhibition at the Oriental Museum, Durham University.Drawing on the objects and photographs of the main
