Knitwear has existed in various forms for many thousands of years. There is some uncertainty about its origin – possibly Persia, Israel or Jordan, or even the Arabs in North Africa. The earliest listed knitwear findings have been knitted socks dating back to the 3rd or 6th centuries AD, which were found in Egyptian tombs.
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Early History
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Today, knitwear can be hand or machine made (the first recorded knitting frame was made by Dr William Lee in 1589). When Queen Elizabeth I wore hand knitted stockings, she started a fashion craze. Knitting has been traditionally ‘women's work' but, in the 17th century, knitting became a craft in the English capping industry. This required a long apprenticeship for the men folk.
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18th century and beyond
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In the 18th century, it was the women who knitted the family's clothing and household items, and designs were passed on to their daughters. When the printing industry arrived in Victorian times, patterns were widely available for everyone. This meant it was no longer necessary for the skills to be passed on to the next generation, to ensure the craft continued. However, during recent years there has been a decline in hand knitting. Nowadays, with many women juggling their home lives, families, and full time jobs, they do not have time for hobbies. Consequently, many of the wool shops, once so prevalent in our towns and cities, have disappeared.
View our full range of quality British knitwear:-
Woolovers Product List
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