History of Knitting

What is knitting? Knitting is one way that thread or yarn can

be turned into cloth Basically loops called stitches pulled through

each other Stitches are held on a needle until another

loop is passed through them Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. Different yarns and knitting needles result in

different end products Using needles of different thickness as well

as different varieties of yarn adds to the effect

What Knitting Looks LikeSource: Wikipedia (accessed October 25th, 2009)

Diagram – notice the loops

Photograph of Knitted Cloth

History of Knitting The word “knit” comes from the word “knot”

Uncertain start date because fabric disintegrates

Earliest sample – blue and white cotton socks made in Egypt ~ 1000-1300 A.D.

Mid 1300s to 1400s – Italian paintings showing knitting suggest that by the late Middle Ages knitting had arrived in Europe

Both men and women knit in those days– Men only guilds where men trained for six years to

become a master knitter

Knitting Origins Archaeological

evidence points to knitting originating in the Middle East

Most common materials were cotton and silk

Knitting is created by working right to left (in imitation of reading Arabic)

Knitted items are luxury, non-essential items

Middle Ages Art depicts knitting in

everyday life, and a series of “Knitting Madonnas” appear

Knit socks and leggings come into fashion

Around the World Knitting follows trade routes

and is adapted in many cultures

Victorian Era Knitting becomes a parlor-art, approved for

women of leisure and as a source of income for the lower classes

Literature features scenes of knitting The Prince of Wales sports a Fair Isle sweater

Wartime Before cheap, ready

made clothing, knitting was produced by a cottage industry

Men & women were enlisted to knit socks and blankets for soldiers

Patterns were widely available in books, magazines, and newspapers

Late 20th Century

Knitting falls out of fashion with the affordability of manufactured garments

Improvements in knitting machines make factory knitted items more available

Today Knitting has surged into popularity as

people view it as a leisure-time activity, and wish to recapture the nostalgic memories of youth

Celebrities have embraced the art• Daryl

Hannah• Dakota

Fanning• David

Arquette• Sarah

Jessica Parker

• Kate Moss

• Tracey Ullman

• Ryan Gosling

• Julia Roberts

• Russell Crowe

• Kate Middleton

Knitting In A New Generation

– Knitting Books, Videos, and TV Shows abound

– Knitting clubs and guilds spring up across the U.S., Canada, Britain, Australia, and elsewhere

– Online sites like Etsy and Ravelry attract millions of members

– Knitting becomes a political statement, popular with eco-conscious citizens

– Knitting graffiti and Yarn Bombing events become popular