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Understanding items

Where to find types of information in a Knitting & Crochet Guild Collection item description

Types of item

The Collection contains many different types of item. Different types of item need to be described in different ways. This means that we have to interpret the labels given to the different components in way that is appropriate for that type of item. The “types” of item are:

Physical object. This is used to describe items where their physical form is the most important aspect for their inclusion in the Collection. Examples include knitted or crochet items, or tools used.
Yarn. Yarn samples and shade cards.
Text. Books, publications, patterns and other text-based items (whether physical or digital)

Describing the items

Descriptions of items are divided into several “fields”. Not all fields are used for every item. Some fields are part of an international standard (Dublin Core Metadata) and may not be used in the descriptions of items in the Collection.

Fields are always listed in the same order when viewing items. The table below lists the fields in the order they would appear. The Dublin Core Maetdata terms are listed first, followed by those that have been added to help describe the Collection.

The fields are labelled with “Terms”.

The following table gives the definitions for each of the terms as they are used in this Collection catalogue. If a cell in the table is blank, it indicates that there is no special meaning assigned, and that if the field has been used the author has used the standard Omeka definition. Each of the fields may occur more than once in the description of a item. For example, if a book has been published under two titles the item might record all the titles uses (but the first would be the title on the copy held by the Collection). An entry marked as N/A means that field is not available for that type of item

The following symbols have been added to the terms (but do not appear in the catalogue):

* indicates that every item should include this field.
# indicates that entries in this field are “controlled vocabularies” and their contents are drawn from pre-defined entries. More than one of the pre-defined entries may be included.
+ indicates that the field is only visible to Collection curators and is used to help manage the Collection.

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Term	Physical object	Yarn	Text
Dublin Core Metadata
Title * [1]	The Title should briefly describe the item.	The title should include the brand and yarn names.	For books and other published items (including videos), this is the title. If the item has been published with more than one title, the title of the version in the Collection should appear first. For other types of object the Title should briefly describe the item.
Alternative Title		Name of the yarn	This is the sub-title of a book, for example.
Description	This describes the key features of the item. It is the brief description that appears with the title in item listings.	This describes the key features of the item. It is the brief description that appears with the title in item listings.	This describes the key features of the item. It is the brief description that appears with the title in item listings.
Abstract	An extended description of the item and its context.	An extended description of the item and its context.	The abstract for the item.
Table Of Contents			Table of contents
Identifier *	Accession number	Accession number	Accession number. For items with an ISBN, the ISBN should be provided as an additional Identifier field.
Subject * [2]	Usually “Hand knitting”, “Crochet” or “Machine knitting”	Usually “Yarn”	The main topic(s) of the item
Type *	The key feature(s) of the item	Usually “Yarn sample” or “Yard shade card”	The key topics covered by the text item.
Relation
Date Created	This is the (best estimate) date for the creation of the item or the publication date for published materials,	This is the (best estimate) date for the creation of the item or the publication date for published materials,	This is the (best estimate) date for the creation of the item or the publication date for published materials,
Creator	The author of a book, maker of a crafted item, etc.	Manufacturer of the yarn	The author of a book, maker of a crafted item, etc.
Publisher	Usually omitted, but if item is “branded” this would be the brand.	Brand under which yarn sold	Publisher of the document
Date Submitted +	This is the date the item was received from the potential donor .	This is the date the item was received from the potential donor .	This is the date the item was received from the potential donor .
Date Accepted	This is the "accession date" for items in the Collection	This is the "accession date" for items in the Collection	This is the "accession date" for items in the Collection
Source +	The donor of the item [3]	The supplier of the yarn
Provenance +	Records the history of the item. For example: In 1963 Joan Smith was given this by her mother Jane Smith who is believed to have made the original item.	Records the history of the item. For example: In 1963 Joan Smith was given this by her mother Jane Smith who is believed to have made the original item.	Records the history of the item. For example: In 1963 Joan Smith was given this by her mother Jane Smith who is believed to have made the original item.
Medium *	Materials used in the construction of the item (such as type of yarn, fastenings).	Materials used in the construction of the item (usually type of yarn).	Usually omitted.
Extent	The actual physical size of the original image or the item being described. For yarn shade cards use the length or weight of the yarn in the units offered for sale.	For yarns and yarn shade cards use the length or weight of the yarn in the units offered for sale.	The physical size of the document.
Access rights	Note here if access to the item is limited to members (such as patterns in the pattern library).	Note here if access to the item is limited to members (such as patterns in the pattern library).	Note here if access to the item is limited to members (such as patterns in the pattern library),
Rights
Date	A significant date (with explanation)	A significant date (with explanation)	A significant date (with explanation)
Contributor
Format *	The type of item (such as “Scarf”)	Usually omitted	Type of object described by the text (if relevant).
Language
Coverage	Country of origin of the item.	Country of origin of the item.	The country described by if the item is a document or other media
Date Available		Period during which yarn was manufactured.
Date Copyrighted
Date Issued
Date Modified
Date Valid
License
Conforms To
Has Format
Has Part [4]
Has Version
Is Format Of	Pattern used when the item was made
Is Part Of
Is Referenced By	Records that the item has been featured in publications, shows, or any other forum. This should indicate how and the date the item was referenced.	Records that the item has been featured in publications, shows, or any other forum. This should indicate how and the date the item was referenced.	Records that the item has been featured in publications, shows, or any other forum. This should indicate how and the date the item was referenced.
Is Replaced By
Is Required By
Is Version Of
References
Replaces
Requires
Bibliographic Citation
Spatial Coverage	Region of origin of the item.	Region of origin of the item.	The region described by the item.
Temporal Coverage	Period of time over which the item was created.	Period of time over which the item was created.	The period of time described by the item.
Accrual Method
Accrual Periodicity
Accrual Policy
Audience
Audience Education Level
Mediator
Instructional Method
Rights Holder
Item Type Metadata
Text	Detailed description of aspects of the construction (for example instructions for stitches used in it).		Selected text from the item such as extracts of note.
Interviewer	N/A	N/A	N/A
Interviewee	N/A	N/A	N/A
Location	N/A	N/A	N/A
Transcription	N/A	N/A	N/A
Local URL	N/A	N/A	N/A
Original Format	N/A	N/A	The type of item, such as photo, book.
Duration	N/A	N/A	N/A
Compression	N/A	N/A	N/A
Producer	N/A	N/A	N/A
Director	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bit Rate/Frequency	N/A	N/A	N/A
Time Summary	N/A	N/A	N/A
Email Body	N/A	N/A	N/A
Subject Line	N/A	N/A	N/A
From	N/A	N/A	N/A
To	N/A	N/A	N/A
CC	N/A	N/A	N/A
BCC	N/A	N/A	N/A
Number of Attachments	N/A	N/A	N/A
Standards	N/A	N/A	N/A
Objectives	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lesson Plan Text	N/A	N/A	N/A
URL	N/A	N/A	N/A
Event Type	N/A	N/A	N/A
Participants	N/A	N/A	N/A
Birth Date	N/A	N/A	N/A
Birthplace	N/A	N/A	N/A
Death Date	N/A	N/A	N/A
Occupation	N/A	N/A	N/A
Biographical Text	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bibliography	N/A	N/A	N/A
Category *	Intended use of the object (eg “Adult” for clothing, “Toy”)	N/A	N/A
Construction	Key aspects of interest about the construction of the item.	Yarn weight (eg Aran)
Permanent location + [5]	Where the physical object is usually to be found.	Where the physical object is usually to be found.	Where the physical object is usually to be found.
Temporary location + [6]	Any temporary location for the item (for example if it is sent for conservation or as part of a trunk show)	Any temporary location for the item (for example if it is sent for conservation or as part of a trunk show)	Any temporary location for the item (for example if it is sent for conservation or as part of a trunk show)
Movement +	Records the history of when the item was moved form its normal location. The entries should start with the date of the move (eg 2021-08-31. Sent to Lands End Branch for a local show).	Records the history of when the item was moved form its normal location. The entries should start with the date of the move (eg 2021-08-31. Sent to Lands End Branch for a local show).	Records the history of when the item was moved form its normal location. The entries should start with the date of the move (eg 2021-08-31. Sent to Lands End Branch for a local show).
Condition *	Description of the physical condition of the item. The description should be updated if the condition changes.	Description of the physical condition of the item. The description should be updated if the condition changes.	Description of the physical condition of the item. The description should be updated if the condition changes.
Treatment +	A description of how the item has been conserved and other actions performed on the object that may affect it. Treatments are added to this description as they are completed. Each field instance should start with the date (eg 2021-08-31. Put in freezer for 3 days).	A description of how the object has been conserved and other actions performed on the object that may affect it. Treatments are added to this description as they are completed. Each field instance should start with the date (eg 2021-08-31. Put in freezer for 3 days).	A description of how the object has been conserved and other actions performed on the object that may affect it. Treatments are added to this description as they are completed. Each field instance should start with the date (eg 2021-08-31. Put in freezer for 3 days).
Planned treatment +	A description of how this item is expected to be treated in the future. Include routine period treatment (such as re-folding) or one-off (such as conservation repairs).	A description of how this item is expected to be treated in the future. Include routine period treatment (such as re-folding) or one-off (such as conservation repairs).	A description of how this item is expected to be treated in the future. Include routine period treatment (such as checking for damp) or one-off (such as conservation repairs).
Colour *	Colour of the item (more than one instance of the field may be used).	Colour of the item (more than one instance of the field may be used).	N/A
Protection + *	Level of protection to be given to the item. "Specialised", "Protective", "Public". For physical objects, "Specialised" would mean handling only by trained people. "Protective" would mean using white gloves (supervised if they are not trained). "Public" would mean unsupervised handling by anyone.	Level of protection to be given to the item. "Specialised", "Protective", "Public". For physical objects, "Specialised" would mean handling only by trained people. "Protective" would mean using white gloves (supervised if they are not trained). "Public" would mean unsupervised handling by anyone.	Level of protection to be given to the item. "Specialised", "Protective", "Public". For physical objects, "Specialised" would mean handling only by trained people. "Protective" would mean using white gloves (supervised if they are not trained). "Public" would mean unsupervised handling by anyone.
Edition	N/A	N/A	Edition number (or other versioning information).
Special annotation	N/A	N/A	Special annotation, for example signed (by whom), marginal notes.
Copies	N/A	N/A	Number of copies held by the Knitting & Crochet Guild (specify the location of each in Permanent Location).
Cover *	N/A	N/A	Type of cover.
Binding	N/A	N/A	Type and condition of binding
Signed	N/A	N/A	“Yes” or “no” – indicates that the book has been signed by the author or person significant to the context of the book.
Classification +

Notes:

[1] The title should allow people to refer to the item in conversation. Although titles are not required to be unique in the Collection, it helps if they are.

[2] Items with the subject “Administration” are records that are used by the Collection curators to help manage the Collection. These can only be seen by curators.

[3] The text description of the donor may be anything that is useful to the curators. The item should also be linked to the administrative item that documents the donor (forn the Contributor collection - using the link dcterms:source).

[4] Some items in the Collection are parts of a set. When this is the case, one of the items is selected as the “main item” and the other items are linked to it using the link “dcterms:hasPart” from the main item.

[5] The Permanent Location text time may contain any relevant text. In addition, the link type “hasPermanentLocation” should be used to link the item to the container in which it is normally held. That container would then be linked to the shelf (for example). Items not in a container should be linked directly to the physical location in which they will be found. This means that when boxes are moved to a new location it is not necessary to edit the records of the items held in the box.

[6] As for Permanent location but to record where an item has been moved temporarily (for example for conservation activities). The link type to use is “hasTemporaryLocation”.

Links between items

Item descriptions include a section that shows links between the item being displayed and other items in the catalogue. These are in the form

Item a property item b.

Item a and item b are the titles of the items that are associated with each other. One of these will always be the item that is being displayed (and will be labelled “this item”. The definitions of the links used in the catalogue are written in the form that they will appear from the item being looked at.

dcterms:source This is used to show the donor of the item. The details of the donor are in the Contributor collection and are only visible to administrators. For example: “This item dcterms:source Item: Patons Archive”.
dterms:creator This is used to show the maker of the item. The details of the maker are in the Contributor collection and are only visible to administrators. For example: “This item dcterms:maker Item: Jane Doe”.
dcterms:isPartOf This is used to link from items that are not stand-alone with another item that includes them (such as the individual yarns attached to a shade card). This points from an item to the item that has been chosen as the "main" item for that group.
hasPermanentLocation This is used by administrators to record where the item is kept. For example: “This item hasPermanentLocation Item: Box 1”.
hasTemporaryLocation This is used by administrators to record a temporary location for the item (for example if it has been put in the freezers for moth prevention). For example: “This item has TemporaryLocation Item: Trunk show 1”.
hasAdminRecord This links the item to a separate record containing purely administrative information about the item. That record is only available to Collection curators.
usesYarn This records the yarn(s) used in the creation of the object (if there is a yarn sample or shade card for that yarn in the Collection). For example: “This item usesYarn Item: Natural British Fleeces: Dales 'Oiled' Aran”.
fromPattern This records the pattern(s) used to create the object (if the pattern is in the Collection). For example “This item fromPattern Item: Willow Pattern Sweater”.
dcterms:isReferencedBy This links the item to other items that make reference to it. For example, the 1891 sampler is the subject of a book in the Guild's library. The item for the sample has a dcterms:isReferencedBy relation to the book.

Note for Collection curators: to create the links you will need to know the internal record identifier of the item you are linking to.

Controlled vocabularies

The lists of values accepted for terms that use “controlled vocabularies” are given below.

Colour

Black
Blue
Blue - dark
Blue - light
Blue - navy
Blue - turquoise
Bronze
Brown
Brown - dark
Brown - fawn
Brown - light
Brown - tan
Cream
Ecru
Gold
Green
Green - dark
Green - light
Grey
Grey - dark
Grey - light
Marl
Metallic
Multicoloured
Naturals
Orange
Orange - dark
Orange - light
Pink
Pink - dark
Pink - light
Purple
Purple - dark
Purple - light
Purple - mauve
Red
Red - burgundy
Red - dark
Red - light
Red - maroon
Silver
Unknown
Variegated
Various
White
Yellow
Yellow - dark
Yellow - light

Condition

Good
Fair
Poor
Unknown

Cover

Hardback
Paperback
Ringbound
Spiralbound
Stapled
Other

Format

Afghan
Apron
Bag
Balaclava
Bedjacket
Belt
Blanket/Bedspread
Bootees
Cape/Poncho
Cardigan/Jacket/Bolero
Chair Set
Cheval Set
Coat
Collar
Colourwork
Cover
Cowl
Curtain
Decorative panel
Doily
Dress
Edging/Insertion
Fair Isle/Fairisle/Stranded
Gansey
Glove/mittens/cuffs
Hat/headwear
Household
Jewellery
Lampshade
Layette
Mat
Motif
Necktie/Neckwear
Novelty
Pincushion
Pullover
Purse
Rug/Afghan
Sampler
Samples
Scarf
Shawl
Skirt
Slippers
Socks/Stockings
Suit (skirt)
Suit (dress)
Suit (trouser)
Swatch
Sweater
Swimwear
Tablecloth
Tea Cosy
Top
Toy
Train
Traycloth
Trousers/Shorts/Leggings
Twinset
Underskirt
Underwear
Waistcoat
Yoke

Medium

Agave (pita)
Alpaca
Acrylic
Angora
Bamboo
Blend
Carbon fibre
Cashmere
Ceramic
Ceramic - china
Cotton
Hair - camel
Hair - cat
Hair - dog
Hair - donkey
Hair - qiviut (musk ox)
Glass
Leather
Linen
Llama
Lurex
Metal
Metal - aluminium
Metal - brass
Metal - gold
Metal - silver
Metal - steel
Mixed
Mohair
Nylon
Oil derived
Other Plastic
Polyester
Raffia
Ramie/other
Rayon
Silk
Sisal
Suede
Synthetic
Uncertain content
Unknown
Velvet
Wood
Wool
Wool - lambswool

Original Format

PDF
Printed

Protection

Public
Protective
Specialised

Signed

Subject

Administration
Administration record
Catalogue
Crochet
Donor
Dyeing
Embroidery
General
Hand knitting
Frame knitting
Lace
Machine knitting
Mixed
Netting
Sewing
Spinning
Storage
Tool
Weaving
Yarn

Type

2-piece
5-sided
6-sided
8-sided
All over
Anecdotes, facetiae, satire
Appliqué
Aran
Art
Ball winder
Ballet
Beaded
Boat
Bobble
British Wool
Broomstick
Bruges
Bullion
Buttons
Cable
Chevron
Child
Circle
Clothes
Cluster
Collar
Colourwork
Construction
Container
Cowichan
Crafts
Creativity
Crew
Crochet
Crochet hook
Croknit
Cushion cover
Design
Disability
Doll
Dolman
Drop
Dyeing
Edging
Elbow
Embroidered
Entrelac
Fair Isle (fairisle)
Fashion
Feather and Fan
Feature
Felted
Felting
Filet
Filet crochet
Filet lace
Finishing Techniques
Flowers
Gansey (Guernsey)
Garter stitch
General
Granny
Hairpin
Half-circle
Halter
Handspun
History
Insertion
Intarsia
Irish
Kimono
Knitted Lace
Knitting & Crochet Guild publication
Knitting belt
Knitting machine
Knitting machine accessory
Knitting needle - circular
Knitting needle - interchangeable
Knitting needle - straight
Long
Loom knitting
Loop stitch
Mandala
Mary Card
Mat
Modular
Motif
Net
None
Nostepinne
Notebook
Openwork (lace)
Oval
Panels
Pattern - book
Pattern - leaflet
Pattern - magazine
Picture
Pineapple
Pinwheel
Plain
Polo
Popcorn
Provenance
Publication - crochet
Publication - general
Publication - hand knitting
Publication - machine knitting
Puffed
Raglan
Rectangle
Ribbed
Ripple
Round
Saddle
Sequins
Set in
Sewing
Shell
Short
Sideways
Slip stitch
Slip stitch - horizontal
Sock
Square
Stitch holder
Story
Stranded
Stripes
Style
Surface
Sweater
Swift
Tapestry
Tatting
Textile
Textured
Tie
Tool
Trebles
Triangle
Tricot
Tuck stitch
Tunisian
Turtle
Twined
Unfinished
Unspecified
Vee
Vest
Wellbeing
Wheatear
Woven fabric
Yarn
Yarn holder
Yarn sample
Yarn shade card
Yoke
Zip