History of knitting

An overview of the history of knitting, celebrities who knit, yarn bombing and knit graffiti, and more!

1. History of Knitting

2. 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

3. What Knitting Looks Like Source: Wikipedia (accessed October 25 th , 2009) Diagram – notice the loops Photograph of Knitted Cloth

4. 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

5. 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

6. Middle Ages Art depicts knitting in everyday life, and a series of “Knitting Madonnas” appear Knit socks and leggings come into fashion

7. Around the World Knitting follows trade routes and is adapted in many cultures

8. 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

9. 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

10. Late 20 th Century Knitting falls out of fashion with the affordability of manufactured garments Improvements in knitting machines make factory knitted items more available

11. 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

12. 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