Not currently on display at the V&A

Romany

Cardigan
1982 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This hand-knitted cardigan was inspired by the patterns on decorative china plates. The kaleidoscope of stitches in bright primary colours emphasises its hand-crafted appeal, and the striking patchwork effect is achieved by alternating blocks of stocking and fancy stitches.

The designer, Patricia Roberts, set up a hand-knitting business in 1976 and still runs a shop in London today. She has published many pattern books and issued ranges of luxury yarn. This cardigan is typical of her innovative designs in bold colours using contrasting textures and decorative stitches.

Related items by Patricia Roberts are a pair of multi-coloured gloves (T.63:1-2013 and T.63:2-2013) and a beret (T.62-2013).

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Discover more about this object
read The history of hand-knitting While the origins of knitting are unclear, we know it has been practised in many different parts of the world, over many centuries, producing objects of great beauty as well as items fulfilling practical needs. When done by hand, it has used simple tools, such as hand-carved sticks of wood...

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRomany (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Hand-knitted angora and wool
Brief description
Hand-knitted angora and wool 'Romany' cardigan, made by Patricia Roberts, England, 1982
Physical description
Hand-knitted angora and wool cardigan. Red, yellow and blue hand-knitted and made up of abstract patterned blocks.
Dimensions
  • Collar to waist length: 60cm
  • Across shoulders width: 41cm
Tension: 9 stitches per inch 3.5 stitches per cm
Gallery label
'ROMANY' SWEATER Hand-knitted angora and wool British: Patricia Roberts, 1982 This patchwork of colour and pattern in blocks of stocking and fancy stitches was inspired by some decorative china plates. The cardigan has a striped shawl collar, padded shoulders and pockets concealed in the side seams. The cuffs and lower edge are ribbed. Given by Patricia Roberts T.210-1985(1985)
Credit line
Given by Patricia Roberts
Object history
Registered File number 1985/1608.
Summary
This hand-knitted cardigan was inspired by the patterns on decorative china plates. The kaleidoscope of stitches in bright primary colours emphasises its hand-crafted appeal, and the striking patchwork effect is achieved by alternating blocks of stocking and fancy stitches.

The designer, Patricia Roberts, set up a hand-knitting business in 1976 and still runs a shop in London today. She has published many pattern books and issued ranges of luxury yarn. This cardigan is typical of her innovative designs in bold colours using contrasting textures and decorative stitches.

Related items by Patricia Roberts are a pair of multi-coloured gloves (T.63:1-2013 and T.63:2-2013) and a beret (T.62-2013).
Bibliographic reference
Hinchcliffe, Frances (ed.), Knit One, Purl One : Historic and Contemporary Knitting from the V&A's Collection. V&A, London, 1985 p.30
Collection
Accession number
T.210-1985

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Record createdJanuary 6, 2005
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