A coat for a boat
I really shouldn’t be here this evening but today I found a “must share”. The ‘Follow the Herring’ exhibition of knitting and crafts is travelling down the east coast of England and today I caught a preview in Hartlepool Art Gallery.
How do you knit a coat for a boat? The coble boat, made by the North East Maritime Trust, will be at the centre of each exhibition, brought to life with locally made artwork.
A travelling show, ‘Get up and Tie your Fingers’, uses the background of the 1881 Eyemouth Fishing Disaster to tell the story of the ‘herring lassies’ who followed the fishing fleets down the coast to meet the catch at each port of call. With knives at the ready and strips of cloths tied around their thumbs and forefingers to protect from the blades, they gutted, salted, and barrelled the ‘silver darlings’, the bountiful herring that were destined for markets across the world. Sometimes at the cost of their menfolk’s lives.
The herring!
A friendly gull
Safety first!
The wave of herring
A wooden ‘wave’ has been constructed and at each venue a section of local handiwork is added. The exhibition set off from Musselburgh in Scotland and the shoal will be beautifully and creatively increased by the time it reaches Hastings on 3rd July.
Departing from Musselburgh
More details about the exhibition and the show can be found on this link to The Customs House.
Sea glass window contributed by students at Catcote Academy
An amazing collection of work, isn’t it? You can even download a ‘Follow the herring’ knitting pattern and join in on the website.
My favourite exhibit just has to be the coble
I probably won’t be able to respond to many of your comments until I return from the Algarve next week. The laptop is going into rehab, but I thought that this was a nice way to leave you.
restlessjo 
I especially love the driftwood boats Jo ! I’m a knitter but have put my needles down to write but am newly inspired by your awesome post …thank you !
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I used to knit too, Meg, but was amazed by this exhibition! I think I was off to the Algarve the next day so the post was thrown together, but the colours and crafting were too good to waste. I’m still tempted to get the needles out from time to time 🙂
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What an engaging post! Fabulous photos of the fabric arts, Jo.
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It really was a delight, Babs 🙂 I just gawped!
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Me, too, and I only saw your photos. It must have been unreal in person. Thanks for posting this one!
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Lovely handicrafts and photos Jo – I love the way you’ve colour-coordinated. I’ll have to try and catch this when it arrives in Hastings on the 3rd 🙂
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Oh, super! I forgot you were down that way, Suze 🙂 I’d like to have seen the play but we were in the Algarve when it showed.
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What an interesting and colorful exhibit.
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It was beautifully crafted, Karen. Made me want to take up knitting again 🙂
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And Algarve??? You lucky restless woman!
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I try to be! 🙂 🙂
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You are my dear! ♥
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