knit:knitting

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knit:knitting [2025/12/10 10:51] – Dave Darbyknit:knitting [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Knitting & crochet+This topic is part of [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. 
 +====== Knitting & crochet ======
  
  
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-## What are knitting and crochet?+===== What are knitting and crochet? =====
  
 They are ways of making 'stretchy' fabric with loops of yarn. Before knitting there was no stretchy fabric - so no socks (you need the stretchiness to get your feet in). Any stretchy fabric is knitted (or crocheted) - e.g. T-shirts (made on machines that do microscopic knitting); socks; scarves; sweatshirts etc. Knitting is a worldwide phenomenon - often to earn some extra cash, and in the West it's a fast-growing hobby, with yarn and fibre festivals popping up all over the place. Most knitted garments for sale are produced by machine, but hand-knitting is making a comeback. They are ways of making 'stretchy' fabric with loops of yarn. Before knitting there was no stretchy fabric - so no socks (you need the stretchiness to get your feet in). Any stretchy fabric is knitted (or crocheted) - e.g. T-shirts (made on machines that do microscopic knitting); socks; scarves; sweatshirts etc. Knitting is a worldwide phenomenon - often to earn some extra cash, and in the West it's a fast-growing hobby, with yarn and fibre festivals popping up all over the place. Most knitted garments for sale are produced by machine, but hand-knitting is making a comeback.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Mittens produced by nahlbinding - a forerunner of true knitting.+_Mittens produced by nahlbinding - a forerunner of true knitting._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Knitting vs crochet+==== Knitting vs crochet ====
  
 Knitting is done using two or more needles; crochet is done using one hook. Crocheted fabric is not as stretchy as knitted fabric, and is done one loop at a time rather than having a series of loops on the needle. With crochet, the result can be a bulkier fabric, so maybe not so good for socks. In the end it's down to personal preference. Some people find knitting easier, some crochet, but being able to do one doesn't help with the other, as they're so different. Knitting is done using two or more needles; crochet is done using one hook. Crocheted fabric is not as stretchy as knitted fabric, and is done one loop at a time rather than having a series of loops on the needle. With crochet, the result can be a bulkier fabric, so maybe not so good for socks. In the end it's down to personal preference. Some people find knitting easier, some crochet, but being able to do one doesn't help with the other, as they're so different.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Tubular knitting with four needles to make socks.+_Tubular knitting with four needles to make socks._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### History+==== History ====
  
 Knitting is a relatively recent invention compared to weaving. The oldest surviving artefacts are from 11th century Egypt, and that is generally considered to be the birthplace of knitting, although it's difficult to be sure, as textiles are biodegradable and don't last too well. The complexity of the Egyptian pieces seem to indicate that knitting is much older than this, however. Knitting is a relatively recent invention compared to weaving. The oldest surviving artefacts are from 11th century Egypt, and that is generally considered to be the birthplace of knitting, although it's difficult to be sure, as textiles are biodegradable and don't last too well. The complexity of the Egyptian pieces seem to indicate that knitting is much older than this, however.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Crocheting using a hook rather than needles.+_Crocheting using a hook rather than needles._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 Knitting entered Europe with Muslims in Spain in the Middle Ages, and from there it was spread worldwide. It was particularly big in Scotland, and various types of knitted jumpers were an important part of the economy. Fishermen's jumpers utilised the natural oils in the wool to keep fishermen warm. Often villages would have their own unique pattern, with the fisherman's initials in the hem. If a body was washed up on a beach, it could be identified by the pattern and initials on the jumper. Knitting entered Europe with Muslims in Spain in the Middle Ages, and from there it was spread worldwide. It was particularly big in Scotland, and various types of knitted jumpers were an important part of the economy. Fishermen's jumpers utilised the natural oils in the wool to keep fishermen warm. Often villages would have their own unique pattern, with the fisherman's initials in the hem. If a body was washed up on a beach, it could be identified by the pattern and initials on the jumper.
  
-### Techniques & materials+==== Techniques & materials ====
  
 There are two basic techniques - side to side or round and round. Then there are many variations of stitch patterns, traditions, conventions, etc, and many ways of constructing garments. Tubular knitting, using four or five needles, is probably the earliest form. Non-tubular / flat knitting is done with 2 needles - one in each hand, with a knob on the end to stop the yarn slipping off. There are two basic techniques - side to side or round and round. Then there are many variations of stitch patterns, traditions, conventions, etc, and many ways of constructing garments. Tubular knitting, using four or five needles, is probably the earliest form. Non-tubular / flat knitting is done with 2 needles - one in each hand, with a knob on the end to stop the yarn slipping off.
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 <caption> <caption>
-'Flat' knitting with two needles.+_'Flat' knitting with two needles._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Basic knitting technique.+_Basic knitting technique._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 You can knit with a range of different fibres - acrylic is probably the cheapest, but we'd urge you not to use it because of the high environmental impact of its manufacture. Natural fibres include wool (from sheep or other species such as alpacas), flax, hemp or even bamboo. You can knit with a range of different fibres - acrylic is probably the cheapest, but we'd urge you not to use it because of the high environmental impact of its manufacture. Natural fibres include wool (from sheep or other species such as alpacas), flax, hemp or even bamboo.
  
-### Size of needles+==== Size of needles ====
  
 Needles come in a range of sizes - generally if you're using thicker wool or want a lacier, more open texture, use bigger ones. If you're knitting socks or anything with finer yarns or tight fabric, use smaller needles. There's also a new-ish trend called 'big knitting' or 'giant knitting' that uses enormous needles or even broom handles to produce extremely chunky and very cosy blankets and rugs. Needles come in a range of sizes - generally if you're using thicker wool or want a lacier, more open texture, use bigger ones. If you're knitting socks or anything with finer yarns or tight fabric, use smaller needles. There's also a new-ish trend called 'big knitting' or 'giant knitting' that uses enormous needles or even broom handles to produce extremely chunky and very cosy blankets and rugs.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Various traditional sweater types. From the top: Aran; Fair Isle; Guernsey; Icelandic; Shetland.+_Various traditional sweater types. From the top: Aran; Fair Isle; Guernsey; Icelandic; Shetland._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What are the benefits of knitting and crochet?+===== What are the benefits of knitting and crochet? =====
  
-### Personal / Self-provisioning+==== Personal / Self-provisioning ====
  
 Gaining any craft skills can help meet your (and your family’s) needs, save you money and bring a lot of satisfaction and pleasure. If you enjoy it and are good at it, you could potentially gain an income [or a job](/self/self-employment), by providing things for your community. Gaining any craft skills can help meet your (and your family’s) needs, save you money and bring a lot of satisfaction and pleasure. If you enjoy it and are good at it, you could potentially gain an income [or a job](/self/self-employment), by providing things for your community.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Domestic knitting machine.+_Domestic knitting machine._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Environmental+==== Environmental ====
  
 You can produce your own clothes with an extremely low ecological footprint and totally traceable raw materials, or you can buy from someone locally who does the same (wouldn't it be great if we knew the names of the people who made all of our clothes?). This is especially the case if done with hand-spun wool from local fleece. You can produce your own clothes with an extremely low ecological footprint and totally traceable raw materials, or you can buy from someone locally who does the same (wouldn't it be great if we knew the names of the people who made all of our clothes?). This is especially the case if done with hand-spun wool from local fleece.
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 <caption> <caption>
-'Big knitting': you can make huge, chunky and very cosy blankets like this using giant knitting needles or even broom handles.+_'Big knitting': you can make huge, chunky and very cosy blankets like this using giant knitting needles or even broom handles._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Democracy / decentralising power away from corporations+==== Democracy / decentralising power away from corporations ====
  
 Providing things for ourselves in communities helps prevent extraction, decentralises power away from corporations (which makes it more difficult for them to corrupt democracy) and democratises work. This is particularly relevant in the textiles sector, as you'll be helping support your local fibre producers, rather than corporate sweatshops. Providing things for ourselves in communities helps prevent extraction, decentralises power away from corporations (which makes it more difficult for them to corrupt democracy) and democratises work. This is particularly relevant in the textiles sector, as you'll be helping support your local fibre producers, rather than corporate sweatshops.
  
-### Community / collapse preparation+==== Community / collapse preparation ====
  
 Exchanging home-grown produce and home-made craft goods (etc.) strengthens community bonds, and in case of any kind of collapse scenario (broken supply chains, environmental destruction, financial crash, war, civil unrest etc.), we're going to have to look after ourselves in our communities, and so the more people with useful skills the better. In fact, in a collapse scenario, if we want textiles and fabrics at all, we'll need to make them in our communities. Exchanging home-grown produce and home-made craft goods (etc.) strengthens community bonds, and in case of any kind of collapse scenario (broken supply chains, environmental destruction, financial crash, war, civil unrest etc.), we're going to have to look after ourselves in our communities, and so the more people with useful skills the better. In fact, in a collapse scenario, if we want textiles and fabrics at all, we'll need to make them in our communities.
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 <caption> <caption>
-There are many different yarns to choose from.+_There are many different yarns to choose from._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 A good starting point might be a visit to a local yarn shop to ask if they have classes. A lot of them do nowadays, or they might know local groups that you can join. A good starting point might be a visit to a local yarn shop to ask if they have classes. A lot of them do nowadays, or they might know local groups that you can join.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Basic crochet technique.+_Basic crochet technique._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Companies like the Natural Fibre Company will turn fleeces (or even one fleece) into yarn for small producers.+_Companies like the Natural Fibre Company will turn fleeces (or even one fleece) into yarn for small producers._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-'Yarnbombing' is a kind of temporary graffiti where public spaces are brightened up (and knitting promoted) with knitted 'cozies'.+_'Yarnbombing' is a kind of temporary graffiti where public spaces are brightened up (and knitting promoted) with knitted 'cozies'._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/crafts). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Knitting & Crochet Guild:](https://kcguild.org.uk/) charity preserving and nurturing knitting and crochet skills. - [Knitting & Crochet Guild:](https://kcguild.org.uk/) charity preserving and nurturing knitting and crochet skills.
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-## Specialists+ 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [Craft production](craf:craft) 
 +- [Felt making](felt:felt_making) 
 +- [Low-impact clothes](licl:clothes) 
 +- [Natural dyes](ntdy:natural_dyes) 
 +- [Plant fibres](pltf:plant_fibres) 
 +- [Sewing](sewi:sewing) 
 +- [Sheep](shep:sheep) 
 +- [Spinning](spin:spinning) 
 +- [Weaving](weav:weaving) 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  • knit/knitting.1765363913.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/10 10:51
  • by Dave Darby