Knitting is a craft with a rich history spanning cultures and continents. It is the process of transforming yarn into fabric using needles. Knitting has been a universal activity with unique expressions depending on the region and era.

The earliest known examples of knitting techniques were found in Egypt during the 1st millennium AD. These artefacts include socks made with a method called “nålbinding,” which resembles knitting but involves a single needle.

Knitting, having travelled through the Islamic world in the early mediaeval period, found its way to Europe, where it initially thrived as a cottage industry. By the 13th and 14th centuries, knitted items, especially stockings, gained significant prestige in Europe.

The 16th century saw the establishment of the first knitting guilds, beginning in France and spreading across Europe. These guilds elevated the craft, setting rigorous standards for skills and output.

Knitting became integral to local cultures in Scandinavia and Iceland due to the harsh climates. The iconic Icelandic sweaters, known as “lopapeysa,” made from local wool, are renowned for their distinctive patterns and natural water-resistant properties.

The British Isles have a particularly storied history of knitting. The Aran sweaters from Ireland, with their complex cable stitches, supposedly told stories and conveyed family clan symbols. Scotland’s Fair Isle knitting became famous in the 1920s when the Prince of Wales wore Fair Isle tank tops in public.

Today, knitting is a celebrated craft worldwide. The internet and social media have allowed knitters to share global patterns, techniques, and to share their love of a Knitting Kit like the ones that you can find from www.stitchandstory.com/collections/knitting-kits