Blank Canvas Arts and Crafts

Wool Knitting

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. 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?

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Knitting Wool : Can anyone recommend a good site to buy it from?

Links appreciated … Thank you very much.

Hi, I have found these:

http://www.colourway.co.uk/

http://www.angora-goats.com/

http://www.kingcole.co.uk/

http://www.yarn-shop.co.uk/

This one’s not cheap, but hand spun:

http://www.colinette.com/

Happy knitting

Knitting the Fibertrends Wool Shawl Kit

2*100g Soft Skeins Cashmere Wool Knitting Yarn Lot;Worsted;200g;Pink; 216 $9.99

4*50g Skeins Super Warm Alpaca Cashmere Wool Scarf/Sock Knitting Yarn lot;yellow $9.99

100g new worsted sweater yarn soft knitting wool Acrylic off white 2502 $6.79

100g new worsted sweater yarn soft knitting wool Acrylic light red 2223 $3.99

5*100g Soft Skeins Cashmere Wool Knitting Yarn Lot;Worsted;500g;White Grey;925 $24.99

100g new worsted sweater yarn soft knitting wool Acrylic light grey 2600 $3.99

2*100g Soft Skeins Cashmere Wool Knitting Yarn Lot;DK;200g;Light yellow;138 $9.99

2*100g Skeins Luxury Mohair Wool Knitting Sweater Yarn;200g;Worst;darkred $14.99

2012 new 100g 1 ball soft knitting yarn cashmere wool #225 dark red $3.99

4*50gSkeins Soft Cashmere Silk Wool baby Knitting yarn;Sock ;200g;red $9.99

2*50gSkeins Soft Cashmere Silk Wool baby Knitting yarn;Sock ;100g;dark lakegreen $7.99

100g new worsted sweater yarn soft knitting wool Acrylic light red 2223 $6.79

10 Skeins Navy Bulky Wool Blend shetland Yarn Knit Crochet $22.99

4*50g Skeins Super Warm Alpaca Cashmere Wool Scarf/Sock Knitting Yarn lot;gray $14.99

4*50gSkeins Soft Cashmere Silk Wool baby Knitting yarn;Sock ;200g;darkred $9.99

Girl And Kittens C1875 Photo Mugs A girls knitting is not made any easier by the playfulness of four kittens who find her ball of wool an entertaining plaything. ….

Kitten Tangled In Wool Photo Mugs Didnt you know I could knit? On this evidence, this kitten is a long way from knitting a woolly jumper. ….

Knitting and the Great Dane – Manchester Dog Show 1966 Photo Mugs An old lady gets on with her knitting in a spare booth next to a competitor in the Manchester Dog Show, a fine and upstanding Great Dane, which towers above her. Photograph by Shirley Baker Date 1966….

The Original Philosopher’s Two-Handed Fair Isle and Other Stories $13.56 An Instructional Video On How To Knit A Sweater And Everything Involved With The Process. The Story Of Philosopher’s Wool From Sheep To Sweater….

Knitting Workshop This is a 3 video cassette of Elizabeth Zimmermann’s book Knitting Workshop. Total run time of videos 6 hours….

Basic Knitting Techniques Bobbie Groome, designer, lecturer, teacher, and owner of the highly regarded Wool Shop in Locust Valley, NY, introduces the beginner to fundmental knitting and, for the advanced knitter, provides a review of correct techniques, teaching how to achieve a custom look, rather than a home-made look. Her designs have been featured in national consumer and craft magazines….

Safe HERBAL Moth AWAY repellent NON toxic NATURAL repellent $3.99 Protect clothes and storable items from moth damage with Moth Away’s unique herbal formula. Has a fresh, minty……

Gray Medium Weight Cotton String Knit Gloves (Sold by the Dozen) – Size Mens $5.00 A cool and comfortable layer of protection ideal for use as a glove liner. . Gray string knit. 7-cut cotton/polyester, medium weight . Overcast edging, color-coded hem. 70% Cotton & 30% Polyester….

Kitten – 36W x 25H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $51.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Irish Wool Spinning Film $29.99 Starting with a traditional sheep fair we follow the Carr family of Kilcar, Co. Donegal shearing their sheep and spinning the wool. Plants are collected and used for dyeing the wool. Mrs. Carr spins on the Small or Flax wheel & knits a pair of socks for her husband from her own wool. We see Bessie Morrisson from Co. Mayo, the last person to spin on the Big wheel or Tuirne Mor, & Kate Mitchell from…