Industrial Revolution: Machine knitting transformed the industry, while hand knitting became both a necessity for the poor and a leisure activity for the middle and upper classes. Women knitted socks and items for soldiers during wartime—particularly notable during both World Wars.

Fifty years ago, junk was junk, not “antiques” or “collectibles.” Almost anything could be had at the Flea Market for virtually nothing. It was like the unconscious mind of Capitalism itself: it contained the rejected or repressed surplus of objects, the losers, the outcast thoughts. There, in a real place, the sewing machine met the umbrella on

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British Isles: Distinct regional styles emerged—Fair Isle's colorwork patterns, Aran's complex cables (contrary to romantic myths, these weren't ancient Celtic patterns but developed in the early 20th century), and Shetland's delicate lace shawls.