A poor relation in historical research? Sketches in the history of the pencil | Scilicet From Samuel Pepys to the present day, the pencil has been central to knowledge, communication, and art. But too often it’s played second fiddle to the much-celebrated pen. Until now!

✏️ In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social makes the case for pencil as an underappreciated medium 🤔

scilicet.org.uk/a-poor-relat...

#skystorians #history #pencil

We're back with a new series! Our first article is an overview of the history of history by @guyfassler.bsky.social #skystorians #history #historiography

A dark blue sweater with a nordic style moose

First knitting project of the year complete!

1/2 Excited to announce our Call for Abstracts for the next Ghosts of Empire in the North Sea workshop, hosted by colleagues at the University of Copenhagen August 20-21, 2026
This year, we also welcome work that looks beyond the North Sea. nors.ku.dk/english/cale...

Around 1650, Sweden’s ships sailed beyond the Baltic for the first time. Dutch captains and lieutenants in the Swedish navy guided this expansion. Join our online lecture on Monday, 1pm CET, in the Ships & Seafaring series: www.eventbrite.com/e/ships-seaf...
#earlymodern #maritimehistory #history

Just a reminder about the new grant we (@universitypress.cambridge.org) are offering. Deadline is mid-April. Please spread the word.

On Wednesday 4th February, Dr Sebastian Graf (Visiting IMH Researcher) will give the paper

“War, Memorialisation, and Digitality: Mnemonic Practices of Ukrainian Virtual Museums in the Russian War against Ukraine"

📆 4 Feb 2026
🕝 15:00 CET
📍RAAB or Zoom (dm for link)

Just over 1 month left to get your abstracts in! #CfP #History #Skystorians #MilHist #MinorityHistory

Just a week to go to get those abstracts in. We are really looking forward to putting the programme together for our conference in Limerick - happening 29 & 30 May 2026.

a medieval drawing of a blue man reading a book with a lamp suspended from his tall, curved hat

a book light, italy, 15th century

Small Grants The Social History Society maintains a Small Grants Fund to support our members to carry out research activities and hold events. We give priority to activities and event that would otherwise remai…

📣Apply for Small Grants Funding!

Are you looking to conduct research into social or cultural history? Do you need support with archival visits, organising a conference, or buying specialist equipment?

⏰Our next funding deadline is 1 March

socialhistory.org.uk/funding/smal...

A tiny snowman

⛄️

Bonus: this is crochet rather than knit, but I also made a rat scarf for my sister (#1 rat enthusiast). Pattern by TheDollKeyper

Thank you! 🥰

And my last knit of the year, which i finished a couple of days ago and is still blocking, another cloud sweater, but this time in a very airy yarn, as the pattern intended

I also made a pair of these for my brother in law, who is a Liverpool fan

After that, I knit a couple of pairs of Annie Germain's sailor slippers. These knit up big, and then you felt them in the washing machine. The first pair were made as a Christmas present for my dad, in the colours of his football team (Wolves)

Then, my pride and joy: the Halibut sweater by caitlin hunter! This one was a lot of fun, and my goal for 2026 is to try some more complicated colourwork sweaters

After that, I wanted to try colourwork. First came this hat, which i freehanded with a colourwork chart from Pinterest

Next was the cloud sweater by petite knit, but with a heavier wool,

After learning how to not twist my stitches, I made the same sweater again for my partner, this time with a folded collar

Grey sweater on a hook

First off, the step by step sweater by Florence Miller. I didn't realise i was twisting all my stitches at this point, but it's very warm and cosy

Last year, just before moving to Sweden, a lady named Joyce from a local Facebook group taught me how to knit, and I thought I'd share what I've made since then

Auto-translation of news site: Storm Johannes overturned the Gävle goat. The Gävle goat has once again met an unfortunate fate.

Goat down! I repeat: Goat down! www.dn.se/sverige/stor...

Postdoc Opportunity!

University of Southern Denmark - 3-year postdoc position in Medieval Studies

networks.h-net.org/jobs/69652/u...

Feeling the winter chill? ❄️

Ever wondered “Should royal monkeys wear sweaters” when it's cold out? You’re not alone! Let's take a look at a letter letter from Olof von Dalin to Carl Linnaeus, translated by @nataliesmith.bsky.social on the topic:

scilicet.org.uk/should-royal...

#Skystorians

discussed this in seminar yesterday, albeit with reference to “race science” generally. If you understand science as a historical phenomenon then the question is what was science then, not whether it would count as science now, and the implication is that what science is now is not forever, either

Reminder for anyone wanting to submit an abstract before the holidays!

Happy St Lucy’s Day! To mark the Feast of St Lucy, we thought we would share this petition from Pistoia regarding the renovation of her chapel.