Ms E. GregoryTextiles 2009/2010

Introduction to Knitting

What is knitting?

• Knitting is one way that thread or yarn can be turned into cloth

• Basically loops called stitches pulled through each other• Stitches are held on a needle until another loop is

passed through them• Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. • Different yarns and knitting needles result in different

end products• Using needles of different thickness as well as different

varieties of yarn adds to the effect

What Knitting Looks LikeSource: Wikipedia (accessed October 25th, 2009)

Diagram – notice the loops Photograph of Knitted Cloth

History of Knitting• The word “knit” comes from the word “knot”

• Uncertain start date because fabric disintegrates

• Earliest sample – blue and white cotton socks made in Egypt ~ 1000-1300 A.D.

• Mid 1300s to 1400s – Italian paintings showing knitting suggest that by the late Middle Ages knitting had arrived in Europe

• Both men and women knit in those days– Men only guilds where men trained for six years to become a master knitter

• Most of it’s history, knitting has been a women’s craft, likely due to child-rearing

Invention of the Knitting Machine• Historically, a good source of income for many poor women too• 1589 – William Lee invented the 1st knitting machine to solve a

problem… (http://www.hucknall-torkard.com/williamlee.html)

The last hundred years…

• Before cheap, ready made clothing, knitting was usually a household chore

• It was “fashionable” during Victorian times

• During times of war, men & women were enlisted to knit socks and blankets for soldiers

• (http://www.rainfall.com/posters/WWI/544.htm - accessed on October 25, 2009)

In the last five years…

• Recently knitting’s popularity is at an all time high across Canada, North America and around the world– Clubs, guilds, blogs, online

stores (Etsy) promoting and sharing the love for the craft

• Photo from Flickr.com - accessed Oct. 25th, 2009 http://www.flickr.com/photos/43446613@N00/465887705/

Let’s start…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uw-nUvGrBY

• Search the web if you need for more sites, more demos, free patterns, etc.

• Your assignment:– one knitting sample approximately 20 cm x 20 cm – Supplies are in the cupboard

• Questions?