The History of Knitwear
Warm and form-fitting knitwear was a significant improvement over garments constructed of cloth or leather. No one is certain when and where this historically significant craft began. The activity of illiterate workers at one time, it became the occupation of ladies in Victorian drawing rooms.
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Geography
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It is not possible to pinpoint the exact birthplace of knitting and knitwear. Knitting historians believe the craft originated in the Middle East and spread to Europe, most likely through Moor-occupied Spain. It then made its way to the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the rest of Europe.
Timeframe
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The earliest reference to knitting in the English language was in 1530. Queen Elizabeth I encouraged hand knitting of stockings and other clothing. It was a utilitarian skill until the Victorian period when it became more of a leisure activity. A stocking knitting machine was invented during her reign, but did not become common until the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century.
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Development
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Knitwear items were first made by people without written patterns to provide warm utilitarian clothing. A renewed interest in the folkwear of various countries prompted publishers to offering written patterns for such items as Shetland shawls and Aran sweaters in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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References
- Photo Credit snowflake ski sweater image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com
