Indy Knitting?
As part of our new Celebrating Yes series this is a story of sovereignty, women, media and knitting. Jessie McLaughlin reports.Knitting a Nation involved approximately 40 knitters, plus 4 members of the planning/working group. The project was followed by Jo Gill and Francois Lamy, a European based documentary team (journalist and cameraman). We heard from Jo Gill a journalist who has co-ordinated the ‘Social Fabric’ project and is trying to document it’s work and keep it going:
“Social Fabric is a story about how a group of women knitted a map of Scotland as part of the independence referendum, but it’s also a story about the grassroots movement which did so much to persuade Scots to vote Yes. As a journalist I became increasingly frustrated with how the mainstream media largely ignored the myriad of grassroots projects supporting independence in favour of convenient soundbites from the a rota of personalities and figureheads. I wanted to go beyond the superficial coverage to document the uncommon people of the Yes campaign. With only my meagre earnings to fund the film, we’ve decided to focus on one project in particular.”
‘Knitting a Nation’ was set up by a group of women in rural Fife to engage people in the issues as well as creating a work of art which would live on past the referendum. It is now touring Scotland, with the aim of finding a permanent home in Holyrood. The plan is now on filming the continuing journey of the map as well as the knitters as the campaign for independence takes a new form. Jo Gill again:
“Documenting this story has been the highlight of my career as a political journalist. I never could have imagined a referendum which would have engaged so many people in politics. Whatever the result on September 19th, the course of the UK’s history has been changed. I want the grassroots movement to be recognised for the role it played.”
You can find out more about the film here: http://socialfabricthefilm.wordpress.com/
The film’s Twitter: @SocFabFilm
The Kickstarter crowd funding page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1017341724/social-fabric
Or more details on the initial project here: http://womenforindependencenefife.weebly.com/knitting-a-nation.html
If you have a story of how the Yes movement changed you, or you changed the Yes movement let us know.
What a wonderful concept. Congratulations knitters your work is not only beautiful but vital for marking the most important monumental occurrence in history.
It has certainly changed my life and I will campaign for a better, fairer way of living for all till it either happens or my last dieing breath.
Hi Albatrosstraveller1, I’ve only just seen this comment – by accident., actulally. I was away for a while – ran away after the referendum, as far as I could go. Thanks so much for commenting though, and if you don’t mind I’ll add what you said about the map to our powerpoint presentation – you know the kind of thing – ‘what people have said about our map. Still touring it, if you want to suggest a place near you! But if so contact me at [email protected].
Is it possible to put Iona on your piece. I am not religious but the island means a lot to me. The minister at the time agreed to marry my ex-husband and myself even though I was a divorcee. We were married in the Michael chapel, on Michelmas day. I was pregnant so when our son was born he had to be called Michael. His brother Matthew appeared the following year so they were both christened in the Abbey.
oops, sorry, just noticed this one. Sorry but the map is completed now and it wouldn’t be possible to add any more. I understand Iona is a special place – have been there myself – but we had to draw the line at the wee islands . Though one of the knitters blew up the island of Rhona out of all proportion, as when she researched it she discovered she had family links there. We wondered what to do about that, but eventually let it stand!
I had them on the podcast as well… http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/2014/08/11/the-scottish-independence-podcast-88-aimee-chalmers-lisa-herron-katharine-mackinnon/
You sound like a taxi driver
A beautiful work of art.
Thanks Lorna, sorry I just found your comment by accident. Still touring the country so look out for it near you!
Wish I had known about this?Would love to have got involved.. Would love to know more.
Every time I see the finished map I feel so proud to have been a part of it! It was a fantastic project to be involved in, and it gives me something I can show my daughters and family and say “I did that”. Here’s hoping the map finds a good forever home where it can be viewed by the people of Scotland for years to come.