For centuries, knitting was dominated by men. In medieval Europe, professional knitters belonged to powerful guilds, and women were often banned from joining. Hand-knitted stockings were valuable trade goods, and skilled male knitters could earn a respectable living.
Knitting can improve brain health
Studies suggest knitting helps reduce stress, anxiety and even symptoms of depression. The repetitive movements encourage mindfulness, while following patterns keeps the brain active. Some researchers believe knitting may help delay cognitive decline by strengthening neural connections.
There are two basic stitches
Despite the endless variety of patterns, knitting is built on just two stitches: knit and purl. Every cable, lace or textured design is simply a clever combination of these two fundamentals. You can pick up a knitting kit from stockists such as https://www.woolcouturecompany.com/collections/knitting-kits where all the items will be in one handy package.
The UK has its own knitting dialects
British knitting terms differ from American ones. For example, what Americans call ‘garter stitch’ is known in the UK as ‘plain knitting.’ Similarly, ‘stockinette stitch’ in the US is called ‘stocking stitch’ in Britain, which can confuse beginners using international patterns. Knitting isn’t just a cosy hobby, it’s a craft with a history. A charity set up to protect and preserve Shetland’s heritage has reached its £40,000 Crowdfunding goal in less than six weeks.
Knitting was once used for espionage
During both World Wars, knitters were encouraged to knit for soldiers, but some also acted as spies. Dropped stitches and unusual patterns were reportedly used to encode messages about troop movements and enemy activity.