Who Really Invented Knitting?

The history of knitting is shrouded in the swirling mists of antiquity. Tombs of long-deceased people help pinpoint milestones in the development of the craft. This article presents a few highlights in the evolution of knitting throughout the centuries.

Blame It On The Egyptians


The earliest form of knitting, sort of pre-knitting you could say, was found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 400 – 500 BC. A similar technique has been discovered in Peru, dating to 100 BC to 700 AD.

This historic knitting technique, known as nalbinding or crossed-stitch knitting, used only one needle and fingers to work the stitches. This was very awkward, usually resulting in very sloppy work. Only the most expert could produce satisfactory results.

You Take Two Sticks and…

Again it’s the Egyptians who are credited with using two needles for knitting, around about 1000 AD or so.

This break-though discovery meant that almost anyone could learn to knit useful, decent-looking items.

And knitting projects were quite portable, so the two-needle knitting technique expanded rapidly northward through Spain, reaching Europe by the Middle Ages. Spreading most likely along trade routes during the 1200’s and 1300’s, another theory credits the Crusaders (1095-1291) with the proliferation of two-needle knitting.

But The Spanish Gave Us… the Opposite of Knitting

In the mid-1500’s, a Spanish tomb yielded the earliest known example of the Purl stitch: a pair of stockings done in a texture-style pattern.

Since a textured stitch requires both knit and purl stitches for patterning, this is regarded as definitive.

The Evolution of the Knitting Revolution

The Victorian Era, mid-1800’s to early 1900’s, heralded the exquisite art of knitted lace.

Also around this time period, other countries created their own individual knitting variations, such as:

  • Irish/Scottish Aran braided cables
  • Scotland’s colorful Fair Isle patterns
  • European Felted (or Fulled) wool items
  • and other techniques – Irish lace, beaded knitting, Scandinavian color patterns, to name a few.

A Heritage To Be Proud Of

Through the centuries, the art of knitting has morphed from the very difficult Crossed-Stitch One-Needle Knitting or Nalbinding into the highly-refined, two-needle craft we know today.

It’s not difficult to do, and the results can be useful and attractive both.

So There You Have It

Although knitting is not exactly a prehistoric craft, it does have its roots firmly planted in centuries long past.

Just think, those stitches you work today are a direct reflection of stitches worked long ago by your ancestors.

And maybe, just maybe, your own completed project will become the artifact that your own descendants study and treasure in centuries yet to come.

Who knows….?