The Knitting Path

The art of knitting as we know it began as something practised thousands of years ago. Although the craft of knitting is now considered as mainly a hobby, in the past it was considered a necessity for making clothes.

The origins of knitting are lost in the mists of time, but knitted items having the appearance of early socks have been discovered in Egypt dating back to the early 11th Century.

In medieval times a flourishing industry was founded particularly in Northern Europe where the manufacturing of stockings can to become very important for those particularly cold northern climes. Numerous knitting schools were founded and the craft was practised mainly by skilled men.

The very first “knitting machine ” was made by an English Clergyman called William Lee as early as 1589 – this early machine – the basics of which are used in modern day knitting machines was made to make stockings.

Commercial knitting centres were established in centres such as Leicester and Nottingham in the UK when in the 19th century a type of circular knitting machine was invented simplifying the manufacture of hosiery.

The industrial revolution in knitting led to hand knitting becoming less popular but did lead to the establishment of the popular knitting styles we know and love such Fair Isle. It did however remain a popular pastime and indeed the British Government in WWII encouraged women to take up knitting again to help the war effort on the home front.

In the decades of the 60’s and 70’s girls were still to teach to knit in schools and were recorded as a core skill in the needlework class. Sadly, the introduction of mass produced knitted garments in the 80’s led to a decline in the popularity of hand knitting – the cost a hand knitted jumper was more than the same item knitted on a machine.

Thankfully since then the uniqueness of this wonderful handcraft has been one again been recognised and the revival in this great hand knitted tradition is well underway rediscovered by a new generation.

Despite the ups and downs over the years, hand knitting is alive and well picking up new convert’s everyday. So go ahead pick up those needles and get knitting knowing that you are carrying on a tradition that started thousand of years ago.

Happy Knitting!