Museums, collections and exhibitions

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

Our Collection
Open Days
Tell us of additions or changes to this list

List of Museums (includes online collections)

Photo of the Dales Countryside Museum

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 …
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Logo of the fashion Museum, Bath

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 …
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Logo of the Framework Knitters Museum

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 …
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Logo of the Future Museum

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 …
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Logo of Manchester Art Gallery

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 …
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Logo of the Glove Collection Trust

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 …
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Logo of the Harris Museum & Art Gallery

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 …
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Logo of University of Souothampton

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 …
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Logo of the Museum of London

Museum of London

The Museum of London has some modern pieces as well as a host of historic items, tudor caps, mittens etc …
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Logo of the Scottish Fisheries Museum

Scottish Fisheries Museum

The Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther (ganseys) …
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Logo of Sheringham Museum

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 …
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Logo of Shetland Museum and Archives

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 …
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Logo of Victoria & Albert Museum

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 …
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Exhibitions

Here is a selection of upcoming exhibitions that we know about.