Knitting, as we know it, is not very old.

Records indicate that the first sweaters were knit less than two centuries ago – in the 17th century.  Before that time smaller pieces and undergarments were knit.

The earliest, historical, example of true knitting is a pair of patterned cotton socks found in Egypt, dating back to A.D. 1100 – a mere 9 centuries ago.  There may be knitted pieces found in India which were worked prior to that.  Weaving and other textile arts date back to prehistory, so knitting is the textile infant.

Currently it is believed that knitting was first invented by Arabian nomads who carried the craft into Egypt.   From there the craft was carried through North Africa and into Spain where it was picked up by traveling members of the Catholic church and spread rapidly throughout Europe.   Regardless of the origins of knitting, when it did catch on in Europe, it was quickly established as a true craft.

The Industrial Revolution took over the hand craft of knitting through the invention of the knitting machine.  knitting lost its ability to compete with these knitting machines. Knitting as an art and craft fell to the wayside and was kept alive as a hobby.