The Knitting Reference Library has been named in honour of Montse Stanley whose collection is one of the founding resources along with those of Richard Rutt and Jane Waller. It includes about 3,000 books, over 10,000 knitting patterns plus knitting pattern books and a comprehensive collection of journals and magazines.
The printed books date back to the 1840s commencing with about 70 Victorian knitting manuals which belonged to Richard Rutt, these have been digitized by the University Library allowing access to full text copies via our website.
The knitting patterns commence in the 1920s and cover a wide variety of knitted clothing, knitting for the home, knitted dolls clothes and knitted novelties. The knitting patterns are complimented by a wide selection of knitting pattern books many of which are from the collection of Jane Waller. A hand list is in preparation to the boxes of knitting patterns which have been organised by collector, type of knitwear and in a basic date order.
We make every attempt to keep the collection up to date and have been adding new resources steadily since first acquiring the collections. All the books and journals are catalogued so you may access the bibliographic records via our website.
[…] The Knitting Reference Library is based at the University of Southampton’s Winchester Campus. It includes about 3,000 books, over 10,000 knitting patterns plus knitting pattern books and a comprehensive collection of journals and magazines. The printed books date back to the 1840s commencing with about 70 Victorian knitting manuals. The knitting patterns commence in the 1920s and cover a wide variety of knitted clothing, knitting for the home, knitted dolls’ clothes and knitted novelties. The knitting patterns are complimented by a wide selection of knitting pattern books. […]