Take a stitch back in time

Tag : Silk Yarn
Take a stitch back in time
Oct 7 2008 by Anne Dalrymple, Paisley Daily Express
EARLY ORIGINS OF KNITTING
It has been widely believed that knitting developed inpre-Christian time; however, this is strongly disputed today.
The oldest artifacts with a knitted appearance were a type ofsocks.
These socks were worked in Nålebinding, a technique of makingfabric by creating multiple knots or loops with a single needle andthread.
The first references to true knitting in Europe date from the early14th century. The first knitted socks from Egypt are older, withsome scholars dating them to the 11th century.
Men were also the first to knit for an occupation.
IMPORTANCE IN SCOTTISH HISTORY
Knitting was such a vast occupation among those living on theScottish Isles during the 17th and 18th centuries that the wholefamily would be involved in making sweaters, accessories, socks,and stockings. Fair Isle techniques were used to create elaboratecolourful patterns. The sweaters were essential to the fishermen ofthese Isles.
1980s: THE DECLINE
The popularity of knitting showed a sharp decline during thisperiod in the Western world. Sales of patterns and yarns slumped,as the craft was increasingly seen as old-fashioned and childrenwere rarely taught to knit in school.
The increased availability and low cost of machine knitted itemsmeant that consumers could have a sweater at the same cost ofpurchasing the wool and pattern themselves, or often for far less.
21ST CENTURY: THE REVIVAL
The 21st century has seen one of the largest resurgences of thecraft in history. Natural fibers from animals, such as alpaca,angora, and merino, and plant fibers, chiefly cotton, have becomeeasier and less cost-prohibitive to collect and process, andtherefore more widely available. Consumers will find that exoticfibers, such as silk, bamboo, and qiviut, have a growing popularitybehind them as well. Some focus within the yarn industry has beenturned to making novelty yarns, which could produce stunningresults without years of knitting experience. Designers have begunto create patterns which work up quickly on large needles, aphenomenon known as instant-gratification knitting.
Celebrities, including Julia Roberts, pictured above, Winona Ryder,Dakota Fanning, and Cameron Diaz, have been seen knitting and havehelped to popularise the revival of the craft.