​Beginning of Knitting History

Hello, my friends!

I would like to continue the seria of informative posts from history.

Today, I collect some information about knitting history of the very beginning.

If you want me to continue, let me know in the comments below.

The exact origins are a bit hard to place. It happened in different areas of the world at different times. No one knows exactly who invented knitting.

Most recorded works say its origins come from the Middle East, which then spread to countries further afield via trade routes. Other nations favored the elaborate Arabic-influenced knitting styles.

Origins of knitting in Arabic areas can be traced back to fishermen, who would use the technique to create nets.

The oldest known knitted object and pieces come from Egypt, which is socks from the 11th century CE. These socks are quite complex, using the purl stitch and detailed colorwork.

Knitting originated in Egypt somewhere between 500 AD & 1200 AD.

In the same tomb the socks were found, other fragments were present.

A similar technique called Nålbinding, which looks like knitting but isn’t the same. Why? Knitting uses two knitting needles to create loops. Nålbinding only uses one to loop, then knot and split the fabric, like sewing.

However, they create a nearly identical fabric!

Nålbinding was a favored technique until knitting was introduced to Europe, where it fizzled out. It’s said purl stitches were created first, before knit stitches. Perhaps people found using two needles easier than one!