KNIT PICKERS: What’s old is new again

It’s time to pull the wool from our eyes: knitting is cool again. From chic hats and scarves in sophisticated neutrals to on-trend, oversized sweaters and coats, today’s knitwear is far-
removed from the “ugly holiday sweater” styles of decades past. Fast fashion is unravelling, and knitters are blanketing local retail markets stitch by stylish stitch. Here we explore knitting’s history, size up its place in pop culture and discover how to participate in this time-honoured tradition.

An Intricate History

No one is quite sure how far back knitting goes or even who invented it, for that matter. Historians have traced knitting back to the Middle Ages, and many think the craft originated in the Middle East, but its exact origin has never been proven.

Whenever or wherever knitting started, by the time the 1400s rolled around, it had grown to be a highly respected occupation. Newly formed craft guilds throughout Europe, which were for men only, began creating structured apprenticeship programs for knitters. These knitters created luxury items for only the wealthiest in society.

Change came with the Industrial Revolution. The craft gave way to automation, and machines started doing most of the knitting. Once a viable occupation, knitting had mainly become a hobby craft. Knitting had become associated with domesticity and was widely considered “women’s work.”

Knitting Today

Handmade knits are everywhere. Young entrepreneurs are rebranding homemade, making tradition modern. Emma Knight is one of those entrepreneurs. Knight has her own knitwear business, Emmylou Knits, and sells her work primarily in small retail shops and at craft markets (including the Royal Bison Craft Fair this December). “In a lot of different areas of our lives, we are starting to value things that are locally grown, locally made or handmade because there’s been such a saturation of things that have been mass-produced,” says Knight. “I think it’s the younger generation pushing back; it’s our way of putting focus on things that people have put a lot of care into.”

Although Knight feels knitting is still generally viewed as “women’s work,” she sees the craft being taken on by a whole new generation of women. “Women’s work doesn’t mean it’s any less than something a man would make,” she explains. “It’s something to be proud of. This generation is proud of this craft, wants to own this craft. It can be so creative and turned into so many different things.”

Threaded in Technology

There’s no question that knitting has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the last few years, and there’s no doubt technology has something to do with that. Kelly Brooks, owner of Edmonton-based knitbrooks, sells the knitwear she creates online, “I started off with an Etsy shop and just launched my website this fall.” Brooks says Etsy, which is a website designed for buying and selling handmade items, has been a great platform to help get her small business noticed, “I’m still doing most of my sales through Etsy.”

Brooks also credits social media, mainly Instagram, for some of her success. “Instagram is a great tool. I love it,” she says. “Not only do people see the final product, they also get to see what goes into making the product. I think people are interested in that. Social media allows people to get to know you as a person, not just what you’re selling. I think we’re lucky to live in an age where we can use social media this way.”

What’s Trending in Knitting

According to Brooks, it’s all about big, chunky accessories right now. “Who wouldn’t want to be warm and snuggly in a giant scarf, especially in Alberta in the winter,” she says. “A lot of people are looking for infinity scarves and cowls; those easy-wear accessories you just grab and put on and go. And hats with huge pom-poms. I’m selling a lot of those this year.”

The Social Side of Stitching

Knitting may seem like a quiet, solitary kind of craft, but it’s surprisingly social. Just ask Vanessa Bjerreskov, an avid knitter who’s been part of St. Albert-based knitting club Knit Lits since it started about eight years ago. “We meet at the St. Albert library every Wednesday from seven to nine,” she says. “There’s a core group of us that have been part of the group since the beginning. We’re friends; it’s nice to see each other and catch up once a week.”

Bjerreskov says one of the coolest things about knitting is the community, “There’s great support in this community. Our group includes people who are very retired, to people in University. There are people with different careers and from different social brackets. Knitting is the one thing that brings us together.”

The social side of knitting doesn’t stop with knitting groups. There’s a huge online community as well. Ravelry, which Bjerreskov calls “Facebook for knitters,” is a free social networking site for knitters and crocheters. Ravelry launched in 2007 and has over four million members today. “I’ve met knitters from all over the world on Ravelry,” says Bjerreskov. “It’s a confluence of technology and handicraft; it’s a great place for people to learn [about knitting] and connect.”

Taking Part in the Tradition

Bjerreskov, who has been knitting consistently for about 12 years, says the best way to learn to knit is to jump in headfirst. “You can start with anything, really, but I always recommend starting with a dishcloth,” she says. “If you make a mistake, the dishes won’t care.”

There are resources for new knitters both on and off-line. Bjerreskov suggests looking at videos on YouTube or checking out Craftsy.com, a website that features online classes for popular crafts. Or look for a knitting group that meets in your community. “All you need are two needles and some yarn,” says Bjerreskov. “Come [to Knit Lits] with your supplies, and we’ll teach you.”

So whether you’re inspired to create your own pieces or to support someone else who does, there’s no time like the present to get wrapped up in knitting. t8n

Fun Fact

The first-known knit is a pair of red wool socks from ancient Egypt. Researchers place their origin somewhere around the fifth century. The socks are on display in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Did You Know?

Julia Roberts has called knitting her favourite hobby. Other celebrities who knit include Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Middleton, Ashton Kutcher, Christopher Walken, Ashley Olsen, Russell Crowe, Uma Thurman, George Lucas, Christina Hendricks, Katherine Heigel, Keifer Sutherland and David Arquette.

images:

© golden_leaf / Dollar Photo Club

© kuzina1964 / Dollar Photo Club