Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington is calling for more younger volunteers to help preserve the historic craft.
They are urging young people to learn the skills needed to keep the generations-old knitting techniques alive.
This form of knitting, using a machine, has been virtually dormant since the eighteen hundreds but is being revived by the museum on Chapel Street, Ruddington.
The small independent museum was set up by members of the local community in 1971 to preserve the site, machinery and skills needed to produced framework knitting.
Paul Baker, manager and creator of the museum, thinks retaining Nottingham’s knitting heritage is extremely important for the region.
He said: “The frame working knitting industry was probably the biggest textile industry in the region and there is not an awful lot left to show for it. It was the industry that gave birth to Nottingham lace industry and the Luddite riots where there was a major uprising in the area.”
The technique itself is somewhat difficult and the machines can take up to a week to master and need to be used regularly as they can quickly fall into disrepair.
Paul Miles who has been a volunteer at the museum for two and half years is only one of a handful of people who can use the machines in the UK.
He said it took him a couple of weeks to be able to operate the machines and enjoys looking after them and keeping them going.
Andy Bone, chief demonstrator at the museum, says that the skills need to be passed on so the knitting can be continued and demonstrated to people.
“If there is only a handful of people in the country that can operate these frames and keep them going once those people have gone these frames will just become static museum pieces.”
“We want them to be live and show people how they work and hear how they sound as well.”
