Then in 1589, an English Clergyman by the name of William Lee created the first knitting machine. His machine was designed to make stockings and many modern knitting machines are still based on the technology used in William Lee’s original model. A circular knitting machine was invented in the 19th Century and this made the manufacture of hosiery possible and as a result, commercial knitting centres developed in places such as Nottingham and Leicester in England. Even with the availability of knitting machines, hand knitting was regarded as a useful skill. For example, during the 1940s the British wartime government encouraged women to knit items for soldiers to help the war effort. They knitt such items as socks, helmets, scarves ,gloves and pullovers.
A collection of some of my favourite knitting projects, some info, some ideas where your knitting can help charity, and even a joke or two. You can also join Knitting Galore on facebook.
HELLO
Hi there, welcome to my blog! and thankyou for stopping by. I have designed this blog to share with you knitting patterns that are my favourites and, i'll be trying out some new ones along the way. I also hope to help knitters new and old (i don't mean your age LOL) by sharing information, handy hints and tips, answering quieries and helping solve your knitting problems. Before you go, please help me by making a comment and suggest any knitting project you'd like to see.
Thanks again. Have a nice day!
Dianne
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Knitting History
Knitting has been practised for thousands of years. Although
knitting is now mainly seen as a hobby, many years ago knitting was a necessity for
making clothes. No one really knows when or where people first started
knitting. However, most histories of knitting place its origin somewhere in the
Middle East, from where it spread to Europe by Mediterranean trade routes, and
then to the Americas with European colonization. The earliest known examples of
knitting have been found in Egypt and cover a range of items, including complex
colourful wool fragments and indigo blue and white cotton stockings, which have
been dated between the 11th and 14th centuries .
In the Middle Ages, knitting became an important industry.
The manufacture of stockings was particularly important in Britain (not
surprising really, given the weather) and a number of knitting schools were
established. Suprisingly, it was men not women who were the first to make a career
in knitting! Knitting was a huge occupation among those living on the Scottish
Isles during the 17th and 18th centuries and whole families were involved in
making sweaters, accessories, socks, stockings, etc. Fair Isle techniques were
used to create elaborate colorful patterns. Sweaters were necessary garments
for the fishermen of these islands because the natural oils within the wool
provided some element of protection against the harsh weather encountered while
out fishing.
Then in 1589, an English Clergyman by the name of William Lee created the first knitting machine. His machine was designed to make stockings and many modern knitting machines are still based on the technology used in William Lee’s original model. A circular knitting machine was invented in the 19th Century and this made the manufacture of hosiery possible and as a result, commercial knitting centres developed in places such as Nottingham and Leicester in England. Even with the availability of knitting machines, hand knitting was regarded as a useful skill. For example, during the 1940s the British wartime government encouraged women to knit items for soldiers to help the war effort. They knitt such items as socks, helmets, scarves ,gloves and pullovers.
During the 1960s and 70s knitting remained popular and girls
were still taught how to knit in school (ı was one of them and really don’t
like the thought of being part of history LOL). Various knitted items became
fashionable, especially the twinset (a matching short sleeved top and cardigan)
yep! I can remember wearing them too. The decline of knitting began in the
1980s when you could buy a machine knit garment for less than the price of
knitting the same item yourself. Knitting was also regarded as out of date, old
fashioned.
Recently knitting has
seen a remarkable resurgence. An increased interest in traditional values and a
simpler slower speed life (or
downshifting) have contributed towards this. And no doubt the celebrity
knitters have also helped to bring this hobby back into the public eye,in fact
there has been quite a bit of publicity
surrounding celebrities who love to knit.
Many, like Julia Roberts who knits on film sets and happily teaches others, this fascinated her costar Cameron Diaz so
much she eventually also learned to knit.
Other celebrity knitters include Madonna, Dakota Fanning (who knitted a
scarf for Denzel Washington’s wife), Catherine Zeta-Jones, Winona Ryder, Brooke
Shields, Geri Halliwell, Uma Thurman, Lisa Kudrow, Goldie Hawn, and Sarah Jessica Parker has been repeatedly
photgraphed while knitting.
The thing that made knitting so popular when it was
invented, is what makes it popular even today - it's simplicity. With two sticks
and some string, you can create literally any article of clothing (And not only
is that simple, it's pretty darn cool !). We occasionally add a new technique,
but for the most part knitting is the same as twelve hundred years ago.
Knitwear is as popular as ever, if not more so; people learn to knit daily, and
classes are booming. Scientists have begun knitting nylon arteries to
transplant into bodies. It will be interesting
to see where knitting will go next.
Comments (55)

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Could you please send me a booklet thanks. Linda_fisher@talktalk.net
Have just started knitting for my local hospital and love the pattern
Please send me your booklet thank you, lam knitting and sewing for our local hospital
Mandys47@hotmail.co.uk
Mandys47@hotmail.co.uk
Please send me the premier knitting patterns. I am knitting for babies in Cambodia as well as Australia. Thank you. johnandmargh@hotmail.com
Could you please send prem knitting pattern
I am knitting for local baby unit many thanks
glow54@sky.com
I am knitting for local baby unit many thanks
glow54@sky.com
What quantity of wool please?
Please could you tell me how much wool I need for this pattern
Many thanks
Many thanks
how do you block y
The butterfly stitched Afghan 30 by 30. Is it suppose to be flatter?
The butterfly stitched Afghan 30 by 30. Is it suppose to be flatter?
how do you block y
How do you a block a butterfly knitted stitch Afghan. Can this be done.
Sorry to ask but fairly new to knitting, doing the back and it says to decrease until 24 stitches remain. As I started with an uneven number and the decrease is in even numbers I don’t see how I can achieve 5his? Is it a typo perhaps?
New born baby cardigan, is this right to decrease one at each end of every knit row to make the raglan sleeve Shape? The back piece is longer than the rest of the cardigan!
What I mean is when it says shape the arms for the back piece after you decrease four each side,
You decrease one then it says Continue in this way... do you mean carry on decreasing one all along to the last three stitches? I thought you meant carry on with a knit row to the last three stitches.. now I am stuck it looks far too long.
You decrease one then it says Continue in this way... do you mean carry on decreasing one all along to the last three stitches? I thought you meant carry on with a knit row to the last three stitches.. now I am stuck it looks far too long.
Loved the baby dress very easy to do did mine in lemon and grey
Hi - I do a lot of knitting for charities etc here in New Zealand - could I please have your booklet? I will also do a copy for my Mum as well if that is ok? michellesemail1964@gmail.com
Thank you so much - Michelle
Thank you so much - Michelle
Lovedd this baby dress nice and easy to do
Hi - I AM KNITTING FOR CHARITY IN GERMANY. COULD YOU PLSE SEND YOU BOOKLET? THY so much, Barbara
nc-lohnerba@netcologne.de
nc-lohnerba@netcologne.de
Hi can I please have your free e book for premature baby knitting clothes
Would it be possible to get a copy of your free e book for premature baby knitting clothes
Thanks for sharing this information.
Pheeta is the best online shopping sites for Salwar suits for women and woman Kurti online in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Visit us at our website for more fancy and attractive dresses and Kurtas.
Pheeta is the best online shopping sites for Salwar suits for women and woman Kurti online in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Visit us at our website for more fancy and attractive dresses and Kurtas.
tak for at dele disse oplysninger.
Lautrop & Uhre er en bedste webside til smykkebutikker hvor du kan købe smykker med ædelsten. Her kan du købe FORGYLDT MESSING , FORGYLDT SØLV, guld
Lautrop & Uhre er en bedste webside til smykkebutikker hvor du kan købe smykker med ædelsten. Her kan du købe FORGYLDT MESSING , FORGYLDT SØLV, guld
WHAT SIZE KNITTING NEEDLES ARE USED FOR THESE SLIPPERS?
Thanks for sharing this information
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Shop jewellery from Best Silver Jewellery Designer and Manufacturer in Jaipur , Buy jaipuri bangles online, rajasthani silver jewellery, Latest maang tikka designs, 925 silver earring, Best designer silver pendant necklace, silver kundan jewellery, marhaba jewellery925 silver jewellery wholesale jewellery manufacturers in jaipur is SilverMountain Jaipur.
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