Knitting is the craft process of forming a type of fabric by using yarn. It started out as a craft that many women learned in order to make clothing for the brutal winter months, but over the generations has become the hobby of choice instead.
The Lowly Beginning of Knitting
Knitting originated around the 3rd century AD. The oldest recorded knitting artifact is a sock. Many believe that socks or stockings were the first and most essential items created with knitting. Knit stockings is also where the idea of Christmas stockings was derived from. Europeans are known to have the first knit items that were created by Muslim knitters. Knit items were originally reserved for those families of wealth before it became a product of basic necessity. There are even a variety of European paintings that show wealthy families receiving knitted gloves. Archaeologists have found knit items all over Europe that date back to the 14th century.
Knitting – a Necessity for Warmth
During the 17th century, knitting was a primary task completed by those who lived in the Scottish Isles. These families made sweaters, stockings, socks and other accessories in order to earn money to survive on. Many of today’s different knitting techniques were developed by this culture. This pattern continued until the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. During this time period most of the knit cloth production was completed in factories. This increased overall product output but also eliminated the need for at home artisans to make items. Many of them were forced to join the factory working world.
When Sweaters Became Socks
During World War II knitting was promoted by the American Red Cross as a craft to help supply socks to the troops at war. Due to the fact that wool was in short supply during these harsh times, women were encouraged to unwravel those knit items they owned that were no longer wearable and use them to make socks.
In the 1980s knitting took a nose dive in production. The craft was seen as old fashioned and with the boom of factory produced clothing that used machines instead of people, there were few to carry on the tradition of this talent. This dawn of the technological age also meant that consumers could purchase a factory made knit item for a fraction of the cost of making it themselves.
The Ancient Craft Revived as the Hobby of Choice
By the early 21st century knitting began to make a comeback as the hobby of choice. With more people choose natural fibers such as alpaca and angora. Now knitting classes are regularly taught at the local craft store and public library in many areas. People choose knitting as a craft that is relaxing and yields outstanding products. Knit sweaters, scarves, gloves, stockings, socks and other items can be sold for a small profit or given to friends and family as gifts for any occasion. If you are new to knitting, there are kits that come organized with all the tools and instructions you will need to get started on your first knitting project.
Thanks for the great info on how knitting became a hobby of choice. Most interesting.
Hey! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but I’ve realised after reading through some of the posts that it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it.Thanks for the useful info!
Thanks i love your article about How Knitting Became the Hobby of Choice. My gran taught me to knit a long time ago, now I love to knit for my kids and they too are learning now. I need to have the patience of a saint though as I’m sure you can imagine the many dropped stitches LOL.
As you can probably gather I love to knit…been knitting for more years than I care to remember.Amazing how one can knit for so many years and not really know about the history of knitting. Thanks for the great info…
Great knitting article. Keep it up
Btw can you post about different stitches and when they are suited please?
How Knitting became a hobby of choice was a very informative article, captured me from the beginning and I wanted to read to the end
Well done
Rebecca
Thanks i love your article about How Knitting Became the Hobby of Choice – My mother used to knit socks anytime she could get her hands on some yarn during the war years.
Your Article about How Knitting Became the Hobby of Choice was very interesting especially the history aspect. I never knew that about Christmas stockings!
Thanks i love your article about How Knitting Became the Hobby of Choice. Awesome tips. Nothing i enjoy more than relaxing with my knitting in front of a warm fire on a cool autumn evening.
Thanks i love your article about How Knitting Became the Hobby of Choice. Most people grew up with a Mom who could sew. Mine didn’t so I’m not sure I’d be any good at it. Good info all the same.
Would like to take up knitting as a hobby again. Thanks for informative post.
Been looking for a site that has a pattern for leg warmers. I’d like to knit some for myself. Enjoyed reading your post thanks.
Ive enjoyed what you wrote here. Knitting was a necessity for keeping warm and at least today we have a choice. Personally knitting for a loved one and presenting them with a hand finished garment gives me much joy.
Can’t fault your good info, not only on this post but on this site on all the things I love to do.
Hi, Really like reading your site. You’re right into your crafting. I’d like to make some colorful snazzy legwarmers for the winter time. They can’t be too difficult but I don’t seem to be able to find a decent pattern.
Howdy, I need to ask you one thing. Where have you been hiding? I’ll have to pass this site on to those I know that love anything craft like.Second thoughts will that be a good idea. They’ll never stop talking bout it.
It’s a pity you actually don’t provide knitting patterns as I’m always on the lookout for new designs for sweaters, hats, and gloves.
Wonderful page…had no idea that knitting had been around anywhere near that amount of time.
Hello there, Thanks for this interesting post about knitting.Good luck with your site!
Knit one, purl one, knit one, purl one…don’t you just love beginning a new knitting project cus I know I do.
Great post…love knitting!
Thank you. Awesome site you have here. Great fan of knitting and think it’s a good idea perhaps to be as self sufficient as possible making own things.
I really enjoyed reading your article about how knitting became the hobby of choice. With thanks
Kits are a good idea for the beginner because you know you have everything you need. Great article too!
Knitting makes you feel less guilty for watching TV lol, you can keep yourself busy knitting. There are many charity places that accept knitting too which adds another dimension to it too.
Nice article! For those of us passionate about knitting we ought to be eternally grateful to those who discovered it.
Such a fun hobby to have! I can think of worse things.
Most interesting article you’ve written here about knitting. So many choices are available today in terms of patterns, colors, yarn type. It can make choosing difficult!
It’s not a bad thing if you can knit and sew you can be truly self sufficient in clothing…not bad when in a recession.
Alpaca is a delightful yarn to knit with and it washes really well to.
Women were forced to join the factory working world as you say but the upside was that this showed men they were more than capable of working outside the home!
Mass produced clothing did become very popular during 1980s but after a while people “cottoned on” (excuse the pun:)) to the fact that mass produced clothing was generally of an inferior quality.
Nice post! So pleased I learnt to knit in my childhood years.
I fondly remember the first item I made knitting a wonderful scarf that I was very proud to wear to school.
That’s a long time that knitting has been around. I wonder how many new stitches are created today or were they all created way back then?
I can see why socks were considered essential when in cold climes
Outstanding post, thanks for filling me in with info I hadn’t yet learned about knitting and its beginnings.
I’m surprised knitting took a nosedive during the 1980s that when my friends and I really got into knitting.
Makes sense that socks were considered the most important item from knitting probably followed by hats I’d say. Thanks for the awesome post…
Good write up! I cam home the other day from work only to find my kitten had dragged a ball of wool out of my bag and taken off around the room with it. But how could I possibly be cross with a very cute kitten!
Always follow your heart…I’m so over the moon my Nan sat down and taught me to knit…I just love it!
Lol in my opinion knitting is the perfect hobby of choice!
I wonder when and how knitting spread around the world. I presume most cultures around the world do one form of knitting or other.
I enjoy seeing you educating people on where the hobby they like evolved from rather than just current information.
The Scots were known for their knitting with the hard winters they experience then and now. Enjoyable reading.
Knitted gloves must have been a godsend back in those days when you worked rain, hail, or shine. Captivating article. Thanking you.
I liked your post. Synthetic yarns are seemingly the most popular. It probably is affected by the climate you live in. Do keep writing…
Great web site. Lots of helpful information here about how knitting became the hobby of choice. I am sending it to several pals and additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you to your effort!
Fascinating that you write about the history of knitting – intrigued!
Hey!!
Good choice of facts in your post.The Red Cross have been around a long time.
Cheers!
Sad for the people who had to join the factory working world. Interesting article. Cheers
Having Scottish heritage is what lovely to read about the Scots and knitting in times gone by. With gracious thanks!
A lot of value here. You have shown that knitting has a long history and I don’t think it will be disappearing anywhere fast even with cheap imported clothes.
Gosh, I s’pose they did really need all the thread they could get their hands on to make the soldiers uniforms during the second world war…good point!
That was so fascinating to read! You know you take these things up without giving a single thought as to where its origins where, in this case, knitting.
Hi there, that’s really interesting the background about where knitting has evolved from. Keep it up!!!
Hello. Most impressed with your article. Your research proves knitting has been around an awful long time.
Thanks for this article about knitting ~well done
Thanks for this interesting post on knitting.
Have a great day!
Wool was indeed in very short supply, so was fabric too for quite a number of years.
Anything knitted for a baby is always appreciated as a gift. There’s an idea for a blog post perhaps. Love your blog.
Knitting is such creative fun isn’t it? Thanks for the post
You know when you take up something such as knitting as a hobby it’s always thought provoking to know the history or it. Thanks for your endearing site.
Thank you for sharing about the bobby of knitting. Most interesting to read.
You’d be right on the money there with the Scots. They would have been thrilled to have learnt knitting and produce warm garments with the harsh winters they had and still do.
Admiring your blog content on knitting. Am I mad? Daughter going overseas in three weeks and I’ve decided to knit her a sweater. Hoping I can complete it satisfactorily in that time!
Thank you your post about knitting in the past. Enlightening to say the least.
Your writing about background of knitting was fascinating.
Cheers
You know when I got rid of my children’s old sweaters because they’d grown so much it never occured to me to unravel them and re-knit with other wool. What a fabulous idea!
I wondered where the Christmas stocking orginated – thanking you
Knitting has always been my hobby of choice. Glad it’s yours too!
I am very grateful for your post about knitting! I just made my very first scarf with tassles. I’m so excited!
Your post was fascinating to read. Big smiles on this face after knitting my first cotton top!
Hello, found your blogpost interesting. Have you by any chance considered adding some video demonstrations for newbies like me? I’d really appreciate some. Thanks!
Re-knitting, if there is such a word is becoming more of a necessity in today’s financial climate – swings and roundabouts I guess.
Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say about knitting, and more than that, how you presented it. Keep it up!
I’m so thrilled. I was looking for my next knitting project and you’ve said it in your post – Christmas stockings – so I’m going to get to it right now. Thanks!!!
I think that you are mistaken. I thought men learnt to knit first before women. Interesting article all the same.
Lovely article you posted here
By learning from mistakes made from simple things such as scarves you can improve your knitting as you go as well as experiement with different stitches too.
Nice article! With the northern winter we’ve just experienced knitting has become a necessity to keep warm! good job!
Thanks for the enlightening post. Are you aware that in Waldorf schools they traditionally teach the children to knit before they lean to write? It is said to help improve their writing ability;)
In addition to your suggestions videos of crafting are great to follow along with. Thanks for the post.
Fantastic useful stuff on your website here. My mom remembers undoing old sweaters to knit up for the ARC!
I feel that alpaca and angora are beautful specialty yarns that can be best used blended with traditional wool othewrwise angora in particular is not that hard wearing. Loved reading yr post.
Well reasearched post. I bet ancient cave dwellers wished they’d discovered knitting to keep their feet warm LOL!!!
Sadly knitting did take an incredible nose dive in the 1980s. Bought alternatives fall apart sometimes after the first wash. Don’t think we’re any better off because of it.
I had no idea about some of the history of knitters.You learn something every day! With gratitude to you.
That is incredible – 14th century! They wouldn’t have had al the pretty colors we have today but served a very useful purpose
Fascinating that oldest knitted artifact is a sock!
I’m a great fan of knitting kits for the beginner.
Great stuff ! If you’re like me, feel a tad guilty for sitting down watching TV then I tend to not feel guilty if I’m watching TV at the same time as I’m creating something of value, like a new sweater for someone in my family. Anyone else like this lol!
An interesting piece of writing about knitting. If sweaters and socks came first then when did knitted blankets first become popular?
Hello, knitted garments still are highly prized in some countries I believe. Great site
Don’t ya just love it when your pooch runs off with your yarn in his mouth
Liked your knitting article!
Agreed – knitting is a wonderful hobby to have. Not sure what I’d do without my knitting on the long winter nights. Great piece of writing.
Have you considered how the first human came to wind some sheep fleece to make it into wool and some bright person thought about taking two sticks and putting that twisted sheep fleece onto it to make a beautiful warm garment. Just magic!
Try helping your child to knit their own Christmas stocking…it makes it all the more special or ask Gran to knit one for each child as a keepsake.
Remarkable! I wholeheartedly agree that the knitting kits are the best place to begin.
Agreeing with you there that knitting is a GREAT hobby of choice, it’s creative, relaxing, and fun too. Thanks for your enlightening post. I enjoy your website immensely.
Aaah Christmas stockings that have been hand knitted bring back fond memories….such fun times from yesteryear! I know what I’m doing for this next Christmas!
Beautifully expressed
, it was a necessity to get through tough winters.
You mentioned many women learned knitting to survive the brutal winters which is really true. Many men also learned how to knit as well.
Don’t forget knitted slippers were also really popular usually in a heavy durable wool
I think you did an excellent job describing how knitting became the hobby of choice! It brings a lot of satisfaction to complete a knitting project.
I would not have thought a sock would have been the first item knitted. It is too advanced. A blanket perhaps?
It must have been a strange site all those women unravelling old sweaters probably drinking cups of tea! Interesting history you shared about knitting.
A well researched article on the history of knitting. Well done doll!
I loved reading such a great post. When times are tough ancient crafts often are revived out of necessity as we’re seeing today.
I found the history of knitting intriguing. Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m pleased with my knitting skills thus far. I’ve figured just because the mittens were successful doesn’t mean the gloves will be. I ‘m feeling like it’s a big leap!
…and if the truth be known those old sweaters they unravelled probably had many a hole darned in them already as those times were so poor. We could learn a lesson or two here, perhaps buying old sweaters from charity shops to reknit!
Useful factual information you’ve shared about knitting. Socks must have been such a godsend in the days before electricity and home heating.
Utterly amazed at the history of knitting you’ve compiled here. Well done!
Thanks for sharing all about the history of knitting. It was most enjoyable. Can’t wait to read more.
Good write up about knitting 10/10
There’s a knitting revival going on in my area.
After record cold winter just past. I have taken up knitting with enthusiasm. I began with a scarf and now knitting a jumper for next winter, wish me luck!
I understood the Scots first introduced knitting…but then I haven’t thoroughly researched the subject.
Knitting took a dive because of mass imports from countries using cheap labor. A hand knitted garment is still way superior and will last years longer.
I’m really keen to learn how to design my own pictures on a pattern such as a sweater. Does anyone teach this? Maybe I need to teach myself.
Cool topic to discuss…everyone is interested in the history of their craft such as knitting – well done!!!
I understood men to do a lot of knitting alongside woman too in the good old days.
God Bless and have a nice day. Bye
Interesting writing you have done here. I really wish I had begun knitting much earlier in life.
Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. But just imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this site could certainly be one of the best in its niche. Excellent blog!
Watch this space! Video coming soon.