Karen Mann – knitting for Cobb and Co Museum.

Keen knitters wanted for museum war tapestry

Cobb + Co Museum are hoping keen knitters will come forward and assist them create a fifty metre timeline as part of the WW1 centenary exhibition. Karen Mann, who works as a volunteer at the Museum is busy creating panels.

Karen Mann has a big job ahead of her: that’s why the seasoned knitter and Cobb and Co Museum are looking for some help.

She’s knitting parts of a 50-metre timeline for an exhibition the museum is currently developing as part of the centenary of the First World War.

Learning programs manager Janelle Insley said the timeline would extend around the entire gallery space and be used to highlight the main battles that Australian soldiers fought in during the First World War.

“As far as we know, it is the first time knitting has been used in an exhibition in this way, but the craft actually played an important role during the First World War,” she said.

“Knitting was something practical that women and schoolchildren could do to contribute to the war effort. It is estimated that Australians knitted over one million pairs of socks during that time, all of which were sent to troops with messages of support.”

Museum staff and volunteers have started work on the timeline, but knitters from the region are welcome to get involved.

If you would like to volunteer to knit a panel, contact Ms Insley on 4659 4900 or [email protected] to arrange delivery of wool, pattern and needles if needed.

Completed panels need to be returned by February 27.

Horse In War will open on March 18 and will be on display until October 5.