Knitting

Knitting has served as:

• Economic necessity and women's income source


• Meditative practice and stress relief


• Political statement (craftivism, pussy hats, etc.)


• Community building


• Preservation of cultural identity


• Form of resistance (prisoners, oppressed peoples maintaining autonomy through craft)

Knitting techniques have continuously evolved:

• Basic stockinette and garter stitch


• Colorwork techniques (Fair Isle, intarsia, slip-stitch patterns)


• Cable knitting


• Lace knitting


• Brioche, double-knitting, entrelac


• Modern innovations like contiguous methods and seamless construction

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.

Scandinavia: Norwegian and Icelandic traditions developed distinctive colorwork techniques. The iconic Icelandic lopapeysa (circular yoke sweater) actually emerged in the 1950s, showing how "traditional" patterns continue evolving.

Middle East and Asia: Ottoman court knitting produced incredibly fine stockings and textiles. In Asia, different textile traditions dominated, though knitting existed—Japan embraced knitting enthusiastically after Western contact, developing unique techniques.