Historical Knitting Facts
Knitting like everything else has an interesting, surprising, and some strange historical facts. Here are 10 historical knitting facts you should know about your favorite hobby.
1- Knitting is ancient
No one knows when exactly knitting started, knitting is considered one of the oldest crafts in the world. Yarn is estimated to be as old as 20,000 years old!
The ancient Egyptians indulged in some knitting (formed on two sticks by pulling loops through loops) using cotton.
2- Spindles
In 5000 BC spindles were invented. Spindles at that time were very simple a straight stick used to spin yarn.
That was 1000 years before the invention on the wheel.
3- Knitting origins
Knitting originated from the Arab world middle-east to be precise, and was brought to Spain by the crusaders in 1400's.
Fragment currently at Yale University.
4- Men only!
In the 16th century France, knitting was a male only occupation.
5- The machine
In 1589 the knitting machine was invented by William Lee during Queen Elizabeth’s rule. After that knitting became an in home leisure activity.
6- Knitting with silk and cotton
Wool wasn't the first preferable choice for knitting. Knitting with Silk and cotton were more popular.
7- WWI
In World War 1 women were assigned to knit socks, scarves, and caps for soldiers fighting in the battlefield and soldiers stationed in cold regions.
8- First knitting pattern book
In 1611 Johann Siebmacher published a book that documented 126 knitting patterns.
9- Knitting needles
Knitting needles used to be made out of exotic materials such as ivory, tortoise shell or bones.
10- Knitting trends
Knitting has gone in and out of fashion in the last 200 years. Knitting decreased in 1980’s and 1990's because of the revolution of cheap industrialized clothing, but made a huge come back in the beginning of this century as a DIY luxury hobby.
