New video on my YouTube channel!
Making a Stone Age Style Needle Case turns a foraged stick into a home for handmade needles. We also consider the continuity of tradition that means very similar cases are found from the palaeolithic through to the medieval period & beyond.
youtu.be/NW-xHJKgI2U?...
Here's one of them: a mini twined basket inspired by Mesolithic examples but worked in easily obtained garden string.
Fancy joining me? Sign up here (also details of the full class schedule and content) plantsandcolour.co.uk/introduction...
I'm currently filming the projects for my online 'Introduction to Prehistoric Textiles' class that starts on January 14.
My classes include projects in easily sourced materials as well as the full scale versions in the types of materials used in the past.
Yep, the UK and EU regulations are incredibly tight. I can research any early recipe I like, but to sell it requires full certification, insurance etc even for recipes used for over a thousand years
Curious as to where true soap was first discovered in antiquity?
My latest paper was published today in the EXARC Journal.
exarc.net/issue-2024-3/a…
Nice looking fibres you have there!
As well as my recent adventures in prehistoric craft techniques, I've also been working away at the backlog of commissions from across the centuries and a little stock for TORM. These pure silk knitted nightcaps are just the thing in this drizzly cold weather.
This year I'll be running my first online course in Nettle Fibre, Cordage and Textiles. Available worldwide in June and July, find out more here:
plantsandcolour.co.uk/workshops-ev...
It's been a silk cap sort of day. I've finished off a few knitted silk nightcaps that were on my workbench, including this thick silk late 18thc Liberty cap (with a stripe arrangement suggested by my lovely client). When the winter sunlight hits it the colours glow very nicely.
The stones of Stonehenge wearing Christmas hats
What a fabulous way to start Christmas Eve! 🎉 900 verified signatures🎉. You're all lovely! 🎄
Already CBA have backed the letter & many chairs/presidents/heads/HoDs have signed - it is having an impact! ❤️
👇
openletter.earth/the-stonehen...
(Remember to verify your email or your name won't show)
It's a good project for that sort of thing! Go for it 😀
And of course the beautiful beaker in the background was made by @pottedhistory.bsky.social
The current oldest scrap of extant Sprang is a late Neolithic fragment in plant fibre (Etton Woodgate, UK), though most people are more familiar with woollen examples from Bronze Age Denmark. Today I'm sending an undyed wool hairnet inspired by these prehistoric finds off to its new home.
There may be something in development for a remote course in the summer, watch this space!
I've just confirmed two new course days for 2024 @berrycroft_hub (near Swindon, UK).
Introduction to Prehistoric Textiles: 10 Feb
Introduction to Nalbinding: 11 Feb
Check out all their amazing courses or book (would make a great present) at: www.berrycrofthub.com/store/c1/Fea...
It's time for the annual pattern sale!
With midwinter approaching it's a great time to knit something inspired by history or archaeology. Until New Year's eve enjoy a 10% discount on all the knitting patterns using code midwinter23 at checkout at
payhip.com/SallyPointer
None is particularly assumed
Argh, typo! It's July not June!
Here's an amazing opportunity to take part in four separate heritage textile workshops with expert tutors (incl. me) in one weekend AND options to stay for a meal, talk and even sleep in a Viking longhall.
6/7 June 2024 at Ancient Technology Centre, Dorset UK
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-t...
It's a hat wrangling sort of day here today. I've finished a linen sprang hairnet, nap raises and cropped two split-brim Tudor caps and naturally dyed a Scot's bonnet and a Tudor cap in woad. What's on my list for this afternoon?
When a conversation about seasonal decorations results in a friend sending you a missal-toad through the post, you know you hang out with the right people 😂
If you are at a loose end I'm going off at tangents about experimental archaeology, poking around in hedges, the importance of string & why researchers do this stuff so you don't have to on this month's episode of The Sword Guy Podcast:
swordschool.com/podcast/life...
Results are in for the MSc! I've had so much fun doing this masters at @uniofexeter.bsky.social
Cubebs, long pepper, and grains of paradise in vast quantities. Must be time to make the annual batch of 'to make beef taste like bear' spice, which is (loosely) inspired by a medieval recipe and the making of which always means we can't be far away from the Surreal Arthurian Society banquet!
A mug of tea and walnuts eaten straight from the tree (saving the green husks for dye of course), must be a hedgebotherer's breakfast time at the Ancient Technology Centre!
Thank you! Still getting the hang of this
Conker season is in full swing & I've been seeing little jewels of treasure under horse chestnut trees on many walks.
Fabulous time to collect not only the conkers themselves, but the husks too. Did you know they make an interesting natural dye?
More details in my video:
youtu.be/TOOdGs7HJ1k?...
Thank you!