Home ยป Lifestyles
Lifestyles
The Nuts and Bolts of Knitting
By Karin Beery
There's no clear time period or location noted as the "beginning" of knitting. Since early knitters used natural fibers, which often disintegrate, and wooden needles, which are hard to distinguish from hair pins or skewers, many of the first pieces can't be clearly identified.
The first real knitting piece (as defined by today's standards of using two needles and yarn) dates back to 1000 CE - a pair of socks from Egypt. Due to their intricate design, historians speculate that knitting may have started in the Middle East around 800 CE. Here's why:
It would have taken artisans 100-200 years to master a skill and produce the complex patterns in the Egyptian socks.
The socks had words knitted into them. Not only were the words Arabic, but most Europeans were unable to write until as late as the 18th century.
The early knitters used cotton and silk, which were easier to find in the Middle East. Presumably Europeans would have used wool or linen.
People knit from right to left - the same direction as Arabic writing. Most European languages work from left to right.
These reasons, though not historically proven, suggest the origins of modern knitting in the 9th and 10th century Middle East. Historians can trace the relative path of knitting into Europe through Spain and other Mediterranean countries. Most likely it was the sailors and traveling merchants who brought the craft with them, as well as Europeans returning from the Crusades.
The earliest knitted garments found in Western Europe were elegantly, and masterfully, crafted clothes for the wealthy. As the demand for knitwear increased, so did the need for skilled craftsmen. As people learned to knit, however, they started knitting for themselves. When this happened, the definition of knitting shifted from that of creating luxury pieces for the rich, to a craft making everyday-wear for the poor. It wasn't until the 19th century that another shift occurred as knitting became an art form, and knitters started creating laces, baby cloths, and even bags.
Throughout the changing (and often uncertain) history of knitting, historians tend to agree on one thing - men were the first to knit. After all, it was the men who sailed and went off to fight in the Crusades. They would have trained other men as artisans, knitting and selling their wares.
So why do most people think of knitters as gray haired ladies sitting in rocking chairs?
20th century America.
During both World Wars there was a shortage of supplies for US soldiers. Specifically they needed socks. Uncle Sam put out a call for all able-bodied Americans to start knitting. Since so many men were serving, however, it fell upon the women to pick up the needles. During World War I the Red Cross and other volunteer leagues trained and supplied Americans to knit. During World War II, however, younger women stepped into the factories to help with production. This left older women, many of whom knitted during the first war, to knit for the second. This modern image is what most people think of when they think of knitters.
Post-war America didn't see a drop in the number of knitters. Instead, they changed their style. After knitting khaki, navy, and green for so many years, knitters turned to color and patterns. Bright and creative ruled the day, and it did so for many years.
It wasn't until the 1980's that there was a noticeable decline in the number of knitters. Most crafters sighted the availability of pre-made knit clothing. With such easy access to well-made and affordable knits, the trend held steady until this past decade.
For the first time in twenty years, the number of knitters has risen, probably for a few reasons:
The availability of so many colors and types of yarns lets knitters get more creative.
Specialized yarns and easier patterns make it possible for beginning knitters to create nicer, more complex pieces faster.
The Internet: people now freely share patterns and ideas via e-zines, podcasts, and blogs.
Celebrities like Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder, and Sarah Jessica Parker knit, and photos of celebrities enjoying their hobbies fuel our hobbies.
The art of knitting has evolved. It's anyone's guess where the coming years will take knitters. With the current economic conditions and world climate, they may find themselves knitting out of necessity, or relaxing under the pressure. Whatever the reasons, the signs are clear - knitting is in. Perhaps more people will pick up the needles, now that its history has been revealed.