Fog knitting

Fog knitting

It is believed that Fog knitting was introduced to the British Isles by the Vikings. It Is understood they knitted on their journey across the North Sea where the raw material was readily available as a way of passing the time on the crossing. The art lay dormant for several centuries before being resurrected by explorers sailing to discover new lands in the fifteenth century.

The fog is best harvested in November and December on the coast of Cornwall and Devon where the quality of the product is cleaner and finer having been blown in off of the Atlantic Ocean. Fine mesh strung between wooden uprights is a favourite method as it can be dismantled and re-erected should the wind change direction. Lesser product can be obtained from some of the major industrial cities of the world where pollution gives a coarser texture with a dull finish.

Shortage can be difficult and it is critical that glass jars are used in a temperature controlled room. To knit with the fog it is best decanted into a piping bag with a fine nozzle and squeezed slowly onto fine wooden needles. Patterns can be found in some old reference books but it lends itself to crochet where ad hoc designs can be very rewarding.

It is planned that national championships will be introduced with international competitions organised between countries of the New World who received the original settlers. If the trials are successful it will be submitted for inclusion it the Winter Olympics in 2022 as a demonstration sport. Because of the nature of the material it would be considered unsuitable for summer Olympic due to higher temperatures. Competition would be on a knockout bases with the best of three pieces submitted against the clock being adjudged the winner.

Research by David Higgins.