Knitting -- An Ancient Craft
Nalbinding, the Scandianvian-named craft that uses one needle and short lengths of yarn, is knitting's distant, more ancient cousin. Nalbinding pre-dates knitting by 75 centuries.
The oldest knitted garment on record was found in Egypt. The blue and white geometric socks date back to the 11th or 12th century.
The first item found on Canadian soil was a knitted cap discovered at Red Bay, Labrador, formerly a 16th-century Basque whaling site.
West Coast Salish women have been knitting Cowichan sweaters and blankets since, approximately, 1860. These sweaters and blankets have been presented as gifts to royalty and heads of state. They are knit with undyed wool and, because the natural oils have been retained, are water-resistant.
Knitting was, at first, considered to be a humble craft in Europe. However, when Queen Elizabeth the First started wearing knitted silk stockings, the craft gained favour and was, henceforth, looked upon as being quite a fashionable hobby. The knitting terms "garter" and "stockinette" (stocking) stitch date back to this period.
17th-century knitting guilds were not fun places to click and chat. To qualify for membership, the mainly male artisans had to make a lengthy commitment to learning the craft—the same amount of time it takes to become a doctor today: 10 to 14 years.
Every time we make a stitch, we contribute to the history of knitting. Teach two to knit, and you ensure that our craft will not fade into history.
The first item found on Canadian soil was a knitted cap discovered at Red Bay, Labrador, formerly a 16th-century Basque whaling site.
West Coast Salish women have been knitting Cowichan sweaters and blankets since, approximately, 1860. These sweaters and blankets have been presented as gifts to royalty and heads of state. They are knit with undyed wool and, because the natural oils have been retained, are water-resistant.
Knitting was, at first, considered to be a humble craft in Europe. However, when Queen Elizabeth the First started wearing knitted silk stockings, the craft gained favour and was, henceforth, looked upon as being quite a fashionable hobby. The knitting terms "garter" and "stockinette" (stocking) stitch date back to this period.
17th-century knitting guilds were not fun places to click and chat. To qualify for membership, the mainly male artisans had to make a lengthy commitment to learning the craft—the same amount of time it takes to become a doctor today: 10 to 14 years.
Every time we make a stitch, we contribute to the history of knitting. Teach two to knit, and you ensure that our craft will not fade into history.
Rewritten on Monday, September 7, 2026.
