Ruddington Framework Knitters' Museum

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All about Ruddington Framework Knitters' Museum
 
Helen working in the gardenStep back in time. Come and see this unique complex of listed frameshops, cottages and outbuildings arranged around a garden courtyard, together with a former chapel in which many of the knitters worshipped. The site has been restored to show the living and working conditions of the framework knitters who occupied it throughout the nineteenth centuy.
 
 Ruddington Framework Knitters' Museum is a small independent working museum, established by the efforts of the local community, which saved it from the bulldozer and put it under the control of a charitable Trust.
 
 
plaque
 
THESE FRAMEWORK KNITTERS'
WORKSHOPS WERE RESTORED
WITH THE AID OF FUNDS
SUBSCRIBED IN GRATEFUL
MEMORY OF
PROFESSOR DAVID CHAMBERS
(1899 - 1970)
WHOSE TEACHING AND WRITING
INSPIRED A GENERATION OF
STUDENTS OF ALL AGES
 
Framework knitting was the basis for the growth of the village of Ruddington, and also, looking further afield, for the development of machine lace and the East Midlands textile industry. Our displays and collections tell the story of framework knitting from A to Z, and you can see our demonstrators who help keep the craft alive today.
 
from cottage windowA view of the workshops from a cottage window
 
What is there to see and do?
  • A short introductory video
  • Walk through the cottages to see how knitters' families lived in 1850 and 1900. Peep inside the cottages. Click on each image to see a larger version.
  • cottagers, 1890s 1850 cottage parlour 1900 cottage main bedroom 1900 cottage parlour 1900 cottage parlour
    cfrom 1900 parlour window cottage interior cottage interior (2) from cottage window cottages & E frameshop
  • Explore the outbuildings and washhouse.Click on each image to see a larger version.
  • the old boiler washing day are you sitting comfortably?
  • See the frameshop with the machines crowded together as they were originally. Look at the machines. Click on each image to see a larger version.
  • children + sock machine griswold griswold room in w frameshop handframe demonstration handframe in e frameshop
    interior e frameshop 1890s the Griswold room w frameshop visitors enjoying a demonstration 1885 - last framework knitters
  • Learn about Rev. William Lee who invented the first knitting machine in 1589
  • Experience a demonstration of framework knitting
  • Try your hand at knitting on a nineteenth-century sock machine
  • See examples of the best of the knitters' art
  • Visit the Bobbin Lace Exhibition in the Chapel (no charge)
  • If you would like to see a demonstration of lacemaking please telephone beforehand to ensure that a demonstrator will be available when you visit.
  • Visit our shop
  • Enjoy a cup of tea


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