Historians debate at what time knitting was actually introduced to the Europeans. Their guestimates fall between the 5th century and the 11th century. Regardless of when it was introduced, knitting was a flourishing art form amongst Europeans straight away.
During Medieval times, knitting guilds began to pop up all over the place. These guilds controlled the market and as result, knitted goods became something that were highly sought after by the wealthier classes of society. Knitted silk gloves and stockings became all the rage and were highly prized possessions. The wearing of stockings became so important in Britain, that knitting schools were established to keep up with demand. These schools provided a much needed source of income to the poor, therefore allowing males to become the first to use knitting as an occupation.
Sometime during the 14th century, paintings began to show evidence of knitting. Some actually depicted the Madonna knitting! But no one knows if these depictions are accurate reflections of truth.
As the art of knitting took hold across Europe, different stitches, styles and techniques developed. For one, the purl stitch was finally developed which led to ribbing. This meant that there were no more curled edges on knitted goods...could you imagine knitting without ever knowing how to stop your pieces from curling??!! Another unimaginable fact about knitting during this time period, was the incredibly small gauges that they worked with. I am not sure how they did not go blind or get insane hand cramps from trying to work with such small tensions. (And this is before electricity, so they may not have knitted in the best light!).
Other techniques that were developed include the colourful Fair Isle technique which was developed in the islands north of Britain, intricate French lace patterns, and the German technique of using four or five needles in the round. Towards the 18th century the style of Guernseys were started in communities off the British coast. This style is full of incredibly intricate textured stitches which are knitted so tightly that they actually create a garment that is wind proof.
During the following centuries, knitting was spread throughout the world by the trade routes and colonialism.
From here knitting was next influenced by the industrial revolution. Factories had the ability know to produce evenly spun fibres and knitted fabrics. They were even able to start producing lace with machines. Thankfully, hand knitting was still thoroughly enjoyed and did not die out as an art form so the love of it still continues!
In the 20th century, there were several things that modernized knitting even more. For one, during the 1920s, the civil conflict in Russia brought people to China where they found supplies of camel hair which could be spun into a lovely yarn. So the intrigue and use of
fabulous exotic fibres began to spread to the world.
During WWII women were encouraged to reuse wool and make the soldiers balaclavas, gloves, sweaters and jumpers to get them through the cold European winters. After the war, new yarns were produced in many vibrant colours which inspired designers to make items such as the infamous twinset. Knitting magazines, such as Vogue Knitting, took off and were found in many households.
During the 1980s, the popularity of knitting declined sharply which many blamed on the low cost of machine knitted items. Luckily, the end of the 1990s and beginning of the 21st century brought in a whole new era of knitting. This large resurgence was helped along by many celebrities being seen knitting as well as the flourishing of many novelty and exotic yarns.
I wonder what the future holds next for those of us who love knitting?
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