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250
Oldest "knitting" sample known
Socks made in Egypt sometime between A.D. 250 and A.D. 420; these are actually samples of nalbinding. Nalbinding is the forebearer of what we know today as knitting. -
1000
Origins
It is asserted, though no hard and fast proof exists, knitting began in or around Egypt at around 1000AD and possibly grew out of nålbinding. The image is from the Victoria and Albert Collection and is used with permission for educational/student use for purposes of a student project. -
1410
Knitting Madonna
Currently located in Hamburg, Germany this is circa 1400-1410 and is one of the oldest depictions of knitting in European art. Knitters will notice the Madonna is knitting in the round, which gives a timeline for the development of fitted clothing and socks. -
1527
The First Knitting Guild
The Guild of Saint Fiacre was the first official knitting guild. There are mentions made of an association, with no official membership, from as early as the 1200s. St. Fiacre is also the patron saint of gardeners. (A stained glass window, 19th century, Eglise Notre-Dame, Bar-le-Duc, France) -
Foreshadowing
Englishman William Lee was the first to invent a knitting machine. Though the Industrial Revolution wouldn't begin for another two hundred years, this machine was early evidence that a Guild Age skill would become part of mass production. (The machine depicted is not William Lee's, instead, it is a photo of what his design became during the Industrial Revolution.) -
Guilds and Only for Men
This engraving is part of the "Professions" series ca. 1698 by Christoph Weigel and shows the different stages of knitting a stocking – from spinning to cleaning to knitting the wool and finishing the final stocking. (Library of Congress Images, educational purposes) -
The Ever Popular Irish Fisherman's Sweater
The Irish Fisherman's Sweater has become iconic. Originally from the Aran Islands, off the coast of Ireland, the sweaters are easily identifiable by their intricate designs and cable patterns - usually in an undyed cream wool but always in a single color. Despite what Heinz Edgar Kiewe would like us to believe, there is no special meaning - other than devoted hours - to the design work. (Photo Lisa Dusseault from USA (Aran Sweater) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, Wikimedia Commons) -
Knit for the Boys
During the First World War, knitting came to be seen as a patriotic duty for women. Posters and flyers urged women to "do their bit" for the boys. Socks were the most often produced, but the military printed patterns for uniform sweaters. -
Knit Your Bit
During World War Two women and girls were again encouraged to pick up their knitting needles. Since so much was rationed and there as a shortage of wool it became popular to make use of recycled wool by unpicking (this is known as "frogging" to knitters) old sweaters. Knitting patterns were also issued so people could
once again make needed articles for the "boys." -
Founding of America's Knitting Guild
The Knitting Guild Association is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to providing education and resources to advance their mastery of the craft of knitting. We support serious knitters in their efforts to perpetuate traditional techniques and keep the artisan aspects and high-quality standards of the craft alive. (https://tkga.org/about-us/)
