.

Continued from product description on Home Crafts' Page Six...

Historical Background: The oldest pieces of knitted works date back to 7th century Arabia and it is believed that sailors, soldiers, and tradesmen spread this craft from the Middle East to Europe. The first knitting guilds were set up in 1527 in Paris, France, and were dominated by men. Women did the spinning and men did the weaving and knitting. As knitting spread throughout Europe, each country seemed to adopt its own special emphasis. Southern Europe concentrated on church work. France, Spain, and Italy specialized in fine, lacy stockings, gloves, and knitted jackets, while German and Austrian knitters utilized the wool available and became known for the their wall hangings.

Hand knitting prospered even after William Lee invented the first knitting machine in 1589. Knitting guilds began to decline by the mid-1700s, but domestic hand knitting, which had now been adopted by women, continued.

Alice Morse Earle states in her book, "Child Life in Colonial Times": "Knitting was taught to little girls as soon as they could hold needles. Girls four years of age could knit stockings and mittens."

During the 19th-century wars, soldiers needed knitted items to protect them from the cold and this need provided work for knitters. Circulating libraries and women's magazines promoted knitting with patterns and instructions. For more history, visit our Web site!

Please go to the historical background for our My First Kniiting Set (4401) for more information on knitting needles.

Would you like to return to the previous page or go to the next product description?

The above info is copyrighted by Historical Folk Toys, LLC and has been properly registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.
All rights reserved. Any reprint or reuse -- in any form or by any means -- is strictly prohibited without our written permission.
.