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Over the next two weekends, artist Rachael Elwell is hosting two drop-in-sessions for knitting experts, enthusiasts and anyone curious about learning new techniques. The knitted pieces produced will be used in Rachael’s knitted installation that is being created to be displayed at Gongoozler Fest.

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People can drop in to the Astley Cheetham Gallery and Library any time between 10.30am and 2pm on Saturday 20th August, and Saturday 27th August, to learn how to knit and try out the Fair Isle Knitting technique.

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The installation being created is a waterwheel sculpture featuring a knitted mill design and the names of the 41 cotton mills that were built in the town.

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Rachael says: “As well as coming along to join in, knitters can also drop off any pieces for the waterwheel sculpture during the sessions that they have been creating at home, and have a look at how the project is coming together. They can even sew their knitting directly onto the wheel.

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“I will have all of the remaining Mill Name patterns with me too if you would like to make one of those on Saturday,  or take it home with you and drop it back off at the gallery at a later date.

I will have yarn available - but please do bring along a pair of 4mm needles if you have any (I have a few spare pairs too!)”

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Since the first purpose-built cotton mill was constructed in 1776 (Soot-Poke), 40 further cotton mills were built in Stalybridge, making the town one of the most prolific centres for the manufacture of woollen cloth in Greater Manchester.

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Rachael's celebratory sculpture features the waterwheel as a symbol of power; water-power was a vital source of energy and economic power as Stalybridge developed into a successful mill town from the early years of the industrial period.

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This project is organised by Tameside Cultural Services, part of Tameside Council and funded through Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

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Download patterns and find out more about how to join in here: https://www.rachaelelwell.com/knittedwaterwheel

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The sculptures will be on public view during the weekend of the 9th, 10th and 11th September at Gongoozler Fest in Armentieres Square, with a view to displaying the sculpture at Stalybridge Civic Hall

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