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.
