Ada Nutbeam 1910 – 2004
Professor Don Nutbeam is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton. Having met him recently at a VC’s coffee morning which I organised on behalf of the University Library I mentioned the forthcoming conference In the loop 3: the voices of knitting. His response was to talk briefly about his mother, Ada, who had spent her life knitting. So I suggested an interview for my blog and to my surprise he agreed.
Learning to knit
He thinks it probable that Ada learnt to knit at an early age like many of her generation. Knitting and sewing were very useful, practical skills that meant you could clothe a family more cheaply especially in the early to mid-twentieth century. Today we may see knitting as non-essential and there is wider recognition of the skill and potential applications. Although there has been a surge in the popularity of knitting the utilitarian is not emphasised.
During the war the family was bombed twice whilst living in Portsmouth. His mother and sister, who was at the time a baby, were dug out from beneath the rubble. The family was then evacuated to Newbury where they lived in tents for eighteen months before being moved into a prefab where Professor Nutbeam was born.
Knitting essentials
He remembers very clearly from the age of five his mother, Ada, knitting and stated that he never knew of her not knitting. His father was disabled through illness and was unable to work so his mother had a minimum of two part-time jobs. She knitted many practical items for the family. Knitting was a normal daily routine that took place every evening. It was solely for necessity and centred on utilitarian clothing including hats, jumpers, scarves, Wellington boot socks and (not his favourite) balaclava hats. He openly stated that he was from a poor household and grew up on a tough council estate.
Knitting commissions
In addition Ada took commissions especially for new-born babies knitting bonnets, bootees and shawls. All left over wool from commissions was precious so retained and knitted up as blankets for the family another necessity used in the home to keep warm. Stories are sometimes told by the older generation of knitters of unravelling knitted clothing to reuse the yarn.
Knitting for babies is thriving today too and there are many knitting pattern books available. It remains a symbolic way of welcoming a new life. I recently saw a very beautiful, intricate hand knitted christening outfit in the Spiders Web on Shetland. Babies obviously deserve the best.
Professor Nutbeam remembered in particular an item of clothing she knitted for a young cobbler aged about 18 who was an ice skater. This was a big, thick cardigan into which she knitted on the back the name of his skating club. This was impressive and I imagine it impressed.
Football and knitting
Professor Nutbeam was a dedicated Manchester United football fan so at about age ten in the days before branding and merchandising his mother used her skills to knit him a scarf and hat in the team colours. The hat included the club name in knitted letters as for the ice skating jumper, a technical achievement and without a knitting pattern. In addition she also knitted him the 1966 football mascot “World Cup Willy” an interesting link to contemporary knitting especially around the Olympic games.
At age twelve the family moved onto a new council estate in Newbury, his father later died when Professor Nutbeam was fifteen. As he grew up wearing his mother’s hand knitted clothing become less acceptable to him. However he remembers wearing a Fair-Isle style tank top and a cricket jumper at grammar school both knitted by Ada.
Knitting gifts
Ada later knitted for his own children including Postman Pat jumpers also Christmas stockings each with an initial, A for Amy and B for Ben, that knitted lettering again and they still use them every Christmas! This was perhaps a more creative period with an emphasis on gifts as compared to utility.
Ada was rather critical of Kaffe Fassett having spent her life knitting. To her it was not fashionable and had been essential. I have heard the older generation say we’ve always knitted carrying on their craft through a life time like Ada. It is their contribution which deserves wider recognition.
Knitting through experience and touch
During the later part of her life, although diagnosed as legally blind having suffered from glaucoma, Ada knitted up until she died in 2004. This included knitting little socks, bonnets and blankets for premature babies which she sent to the neo-natal unit at Reading Hospital. I imagine she knitted from experience and through touch.
Through my work with the Knitting Collections I have had the privilege and opportunity to meet many knitters including the older generation whose commitment and skills are now being passed on rather unexpectedly to the younger generation. It appears that knitting appeals to all age groups who together have led the recent knitting revival. The knitting life of Ada as remembered by Professor Nutbeam reveals his respect for her commitment to the family, her independence and skill.
This interview took place on Monday 13 August 2012 between Professor Don Nutbeam and Linda Newington.
More interviews will follow as part of In the loop 3: the voices of knitting.
In the loop 