The word knitting comes from knot, the dutche verb knutten, and the old English word cnytten, to knot. The earliest examples that can be properly identified as knitted garments are socks which were found in Egypt, believed to be from the end of the first millennium AD. These socks were well made and so it is likely that they were not the work of a beginner, and that the process of knitting was well established at these times. Somewhat surprisingly, there are no legends of knitting, whereas there are legends of weaving.
There is sufficient evidence to suggest that knitting was developed in the Middle East, or North Africa. For example, Islamic countries read from left to right, and we knit from right to left. When the first pieces of knitting were found in Europe that could be accurately dated, they were found in a tomb that was sealed in 1275.
Related Coverage
history of tea
a brief history about the the tea culture A Brief History Of Coins
One of the most popular hobbies today is coin collecting. Anyone can start collecting coins anytime and any day. You may begin by collecting the coins you have in your piggy bank, or in your pocket. Coin collecting starts to get more interesting, and sometimes more costly, when a collector is willing to cough up a considerable amount of cash for a particular coin, like a vintage or turn-of-the-century variant. Many veteran coin collectors buy expensive coins to shore up the value of their repository. Today, millions of people all over the world are fascinated about the art of coin collect. A Short History of Memory Foam
Developed by NASA at their Ames Research Center in the early 1970′s this incredible foam was created to ease the effect of g forces on the astronauts that they were being exposed to during lift off. Once it was perfected and used by NASA’s astronauts for several years it was allowed to be used in hospitals (for it’s ability to support which is unparalleled by any other bedding material). A History of Bathing
Think your little brother smells bad if he skips taking a shower for a day? Consider this: at least he bathes more than once a year, doesn’t have lice or fleas, and doesn’t wipe his bum with a communal sponge. Today may possibly be the most hygienic period in human history. Here are a few unclean habits our ancestors had and the dirtiest time periods in the history of human existence.This tomb was in Spain, which was occupied by the Moores from North Africa during these times. The fragments of garments had writing knitted into them in Arabic script. Literacy was widespread in the Middle East during these times, but not in Europe. In addition, cotton and silk were used for knitting these garments, which was much more widespread in the Middle East than wool. If knitting was founded in Europe, it’s much more likely to have used wool or linen. From Spain, knitting soon spread to the rest of Europe, with more examples found in Germany, France and Italy.
The purl stitch was introduced during the 1500s, and was found on a pair of stockings in Toledo, Spain in a tomb dating 1562. By this time, most of the wealthy people in Europe had at least one pair of knitted socks. The first hat knitting guild was established in England in 1424, and the first knitting trade guild had started in Paris in 1527.
In 1566, the King of Sweden, King Eric, owned 27 pairs of silk stockings imported from Spain, and each pair apparently cost the same as the annual salary of his valet.
As well as stockings, other knitted garments such as shirts and jackets soon became popular, and as more and more people learned to knit and knitting became available and accessible to the less well off. Knitting soon spread round the world thanks to the trade routes. Sailors were especially fond of knitting, as it gave them something productive to do on long journeys. In Victorian times, knitting was seen as a parlour art, and many people knitted fine laces, bags and baby clothes, introducing beadwork into knitting.
Knitting has drifted in and out of fashion, and for a long time was thought of as a pastime for the older generation, with many grandparents knitting jumpers and baby clothes for their children and grandchildren. Nowadays, people turn to knitting for all sorts of reasons, for knitting garments for charity, to save money, or simply for the fun of it.
With the advent of the internet, it’s now possible to share knitting patterns and discuss knitting with people all over the world, and more and more people are coming back to knitting, or learning to knit. In addition, many celebrities are taking up knitting.
Knitting is fashionable again, and there are many different things to knit, ranging from simple scarves to jumpers with intricate patterns. Whatever you want to learn to knit, you’re sure to be able to find the pattern for it. What’s stopping you?
Recent Comments