Knitter Nellie is the newest Mummer in our Petty Harbour collection. Knitter Nellie with “work on her needles” represents all knitters. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in this old and traditional skill. Many have taken up their needles and learned to knit. Years ago, knitting was not a hobby but a necessity. Knitting was a part of everyday life; most girls learned to knit at a young age. Wool vamps, socks, mitts, caps, scarves and sweaters were an essential part of the wardrobe for all and especially necessary for fishermen, farmers, miners, loggers and those who worked outdoors. Twine was knit and nets repaired in fishing stores and around kitchen stoves when cold Winter winds kept the fishermen at home. “Don’t seem like Christmas if the Mummers are not here, Granny would say as she’d knit in her chair;” is a line from The Mummer’s Song (1983) by Simani. The song and video describes the visit by the Mummers to a typical Newfoundland outport home and can be viewed at
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/community-stories_histoires-de-chez-nous/times-times-times_le-temps-le-temps-le-temps/gallery/the-mummers-song-by-simani/
Dimensions: 12 x 6 cms.
Handcrafted Stained Glass by Shelley. Made in NL.
