A Brief History of Knitting

The brief history of knitting stretches back thousands of years, with evidence of early knitting found in archaeological sites across the globe. While the exact origins remain shrouded in mystery, knitting likely emerged as a practical craft among ancient civilizations for creating warm and durable textiles, a tradition that continues today through knitwear manufacturers who combine heritage techniques with modern innovation.

Before knitting, there was a needlework technique known as Nålbinding, (a Norwegian word meaning “needle binding”). Nålbinding creates a fabric similar to knitting by looping and knotting yarn with a single needle.

It is often associated with the Vikings, but it was also practiced in other parts of the world. Archaeologists have found nålbinding fragments dating from various periods, such as 10,000 years ago in Israel, 7,750 BCE in Germany, the 5th or 6th century CE in Egypt, and the 9th or 10th century CE in Norway.

Another precursor to knitting was finger knitting, which is a simple form of knitting done using only the fingers instead of needles. Finger knitting has been practiced for centuries, especially by children and those who did not have access to needles.

The origins of knitting has a long and fascinating history that originated in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean around the 11th or 12th century. The earliest knitted artifacts are Egyptian socks from that era.

Knitting then spread to Europe, where male guilds used it to make religious garments. Gradually, it became an ubiquitous and critical aspect of daily life, practiced by people of all genders and cultural backgrounds, and cherished as a means of providing warmth and comfort through hand-crafted clothing and blankets.

In the Middle Ages, knitting became more prevalent in Europe, particularly in regions such as the British Isles and Scandinavia, where wool production thrived (and where the warmth of wool was and is much-needed for a lot of the year). Reflecting how knitting started as a practical craft rooted in necessity and tradition.

With the advent of industrialisation, knitting transitioned from a cottage industry to mass production, but the artistry and craftsmanship of hand knitting still persists, cherished for its cultural significance and timeless appeal.

Today, knitting continues to evolve as a cherished craft, blending tradition with innovation, and preserving the legacy of generations past for the enjoyment of generations to come.

The earliest examples of hand-knitting

An early woollen item in our collection is a pair of socks from Egypt that date from the 3rd to 5th century AD. They have been made using the technique 'nålbindning', a laborious technique more akin to sewing than knitting, where yarn is threaded through the eye of a sewing needle and then worked in the round through a series of loops.

The earliest example of double-needle knitting was made in North Africa in about 1100 – 1300, during a period of Islamic rule. The blue and white abstract design echoes the colour combinations and patterning found in Islamic ceramics. It's likely the sock's shaping was achieved by changing the size of the needles during knitting.

Hand-knitting in the 20th century and beyond

Home-knitting continued to be a popular way to create items for warmth and for children but it reached another peak during the Second World War when people were encouraged to pick up needles for the war effort. While domestic home-knitting continued through the 1950s, the knitwear made by machine-knitting was more varied than ever and more affordable.

 It wasn't until the craft countermovement of the 1970s that hand-knitting gained an influence once again. Designer Kaffe Fassett helped shift attitudes towards hand-knitting in the 1970s. A coat designed by Fassett reveals Fassett's unorthodox approach to design. It uses a variety of yarns in different thicknesses and textures.

At Knit-Lab Peru, we specialize in handcrafted and custom knitwear. Using the finest sustainable materials, we deliver high quality products worldwide. Contact us today to start creating premium knitted garments for your brand!