Sheila McGregor
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Sheila McGregor | |
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| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, fibre artist, historian |
| Notable work | The Complete Book of Traditional Scandinavian Knitting, The Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting |
Sheila McGregor is a Scottish fibre artist, author, and historian who published The Complete Book of Traditional Scandinavian Knitting and The Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting.
Career[edit]
McGregor started working on The Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting in the mid-1970s,[1] motivated by her concern over changes to Scottish traditions caused by the oil industry. She travelled to the Shetland Isles and other remote places in Scotland to visit knitters, and studied pieces of historic knitting in private collections and museums across Shetland, elsewhere in Scotland, and in London. In her book, she attempts to debunk many of the romantic stories surrounding the traditions of Shetland knitting, seeking to provide a more accurate history.[1]
She became interested in Scandinavian knitting in 1955 after discovering a jersey in a Copenhagen shop. Despite being a poor student and unable to purchase it, she bought a knitting pattern and recreated the style herself.[2] For her book "The Complete Book of Traditional Scandinavian Knitting," she journeyed to Scandinavia, engaging with local knitters and examining traditional knitted items in various museums and collections.[citation needed] In this book, she illustrates how the Scandinavian tradition is connected to the Shetland Tradition.
The Scotsman said in 1983 that Traditional Knitting "discards many of the myths surrounding this craft ... [and] gives a stimulating insight into the key influences in folk knitting around the world".[3]
In 2014, McGregor donated some of her research to the Shetland Museum. The collection is open to researchers by appointment.[1]
Personal life[edit]
McGregor lives in Edinburgh[4] and was Chairman of Council at the Clan Gregor Society.[2]
Published works[edit]
- McGregor, Sheila (1981). The Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting London: Batsford. ISBN 978-0713414325
- McGregor, Sheila (1984). The Complete Book of Traditional Scandinavian Knitting London: Batsford. ISBN 978-0312156381
- McGregor, Sheila (2003). Traditional Fair Isle Knitting (revised edition of former publication) Dover Publications Inc ISBN 978-0486431079
- McGregor, Sheila (2004). Traditional Scandinavian Knitting (revised edition of former publication) Dover Publications Inc ISBN 978-0486433004
See also[edit]
- Alice Starmore
- Elizabeth Zimmerman
- Jane Gaugain
- Bill Gibb
- Emma Jacobsson
- Auður Laxness
- Mary Walker Phillips
- Meg Swansen
- Barbara G. Walker
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Sheila McGregor Collection". Shetland Museum & Archives. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ a b McGregor, Sheila (1984). The complete book of traditional Scandinavian knitting (1st U.S. ed.). New York, N.Y.: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0312156381.
- ^ "Folk knitting around the world". The Scotsman. 29 July 1983. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ McGregor, Sheila (1981). The complete book of traditional Fair Isle knitting. London: Batsford. ISBN 978-0713414325.
External links[edit]
- Bibliography for Stranded Colourwork (tin can knits)
- Influences on Fair Isle knitwear design in the 1940s and 1950s (Fraser Knitwear)
- List about traditional kitting books (Traditionelstrik.dk)
- McGregor's papers at the archive of the National Library of Scotland
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| Related | ||
- Living people
- British people in knitting
- 20th-century textile artists
- 20th-century women textile artists
- 20th-century Scottish non-fiction writers
- British women non-fiction writers
- 20th-century Scottish women writers
- 21st-century Scottish non-fiction writers
- 21st-century Scottish women artists
- 21st-century textile artists
- 21st-century women textile artists