Knitting and crochet are more than just hobbies—they are rich with history, innovation, and cultural significance. From the hands of royalty to the frontlines of war efforts, these fiber arts have played a surprising role in shaping societies. Whether used for survival, self-expression, or relaxation, every stitch carries a story. In this post, we’ll explore some fascinating facts about knitting and crochet, uncovering the artistry and resilience woven into their past.

Knitting Facts & History

Knitting Origins: The earliest known knitted artifacts date back to the 11th century and were found in Egypt. These were intricate socks with complex colorwork, indicating that knitting was already a highly developed skill.
Men Were the First Professional Knitters: In 1527, the first knitting union was established in Paris, France, and no women were allowed to join.
Queen Elizabeth I Rejected Hand-Knitted Stockings: She famously refused stockings made from wool, preferring the finer silk ones. This pushed the innovation of knitting with finer yarns and smaller needles.
The Knitting Madonnas: Many Renaissance paintings depict the Virgin Mary knitting, showcasing how common and respected the craft was in daily life.
Knitting in War Efforts: During both World Wars, governments encouraged civilians to knit socks, gloves, and scarves for soldiers. Even schoolchildren were taught to knit as part of the war effort.
Bauhaus and Modern Knitting: The influential Bauhaus movement in the early 20th century saw knitting as a form of functional art and textile innovation.
Aran Sweaters and Their Unique Stitches: Traditional Aran sweaters (originating from the Aran Islands of Ireland) have specific stitch patterns, with each family developing unique designs. Some believe these patterns could help identify lost fishermen at sea.
The World’s Largest Knitted Blanket: In 2018, over 1,000 knitters from 32 countries collaborated to create the largest hand-knitted blanket, measuring over 21,471 square feet.
Knitting and Neuroscience: Studies show that knitting has similar benefits to meditation, reducing stress, anxiety, and even delaying cognitive decline in older adults.
Yarn Bombing: A modern form of street art, yarn bombing (or knit graffiti) involves covering public spaces with colorful knitted or crocheted pieces. The movement began in the early 2000s and continues to grow worldwide.

Crochet Facts & History

A Newer Craft than Knitting: Unlike knitting, which dates back at least a thousand years, crochet has no archaeological evidence before the 19th century. It is believed to have developed from lace-making techniques.
Irish Crochet and the Great Famine: During the Irish Potato Famine (1845–1852), Irish crochet lace became a vital source of income. Women and children crafted intricate lace pieces that were exported throughout Europe and America.
Queen Victoria Was a Crocheter: The Queen of England not only popularized Irish crochet lace but also personally crocheted gifts, helping remove its stigma as a craft for the lower classes.
The Granny Square Boom: The granny square, a now-iconic crochet motif, became wildly popular in the 1970s during the handmade and bohemian fashion movement.
Tunisian Crochet's Hybrid Technique: Sometimes called Afghan crochet, Tunisian crochet combines elements of knitting and crochet, using a long hook to hold multiple loops at a time.
Crochet in Fashion: High-end designers such as Dior, Chanel, and Missoni have featured crochet in their runway collections, elevating the craft into haute couture.
Crochet and the Moon Landing?: NASA engineers used crochet-like techniques in designing the thermal insulation for space suits and equipment during the Apollo missions.
Crochet and Mathematics: Mathematicians have used crochet to model hyperbolic planes, making it a powerful tool for visualizing complex mathematical concepts.
The Largest Crochet Blanket: In 2016, a group in India created the world's largest crochet blanket, measuring 11,148 square meters (120,000 square feet).

Knitting and crochet have stood the test of time—not just as crafts, but as threads connecting generations. Their history is one of ingenuity, endurance, and creativity, evolving from necessity to cherished tradition. Whether you’re picking up your needles for the first time or have been crafting for years, each stitch continues a legacy of skill and storytelling. Which fact surprised you the most? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments.

Sources/further reading & watching:

knitlikegranny.com

The History Of Knitting: Origins Of Our Wonderful Knitting History

October 11, 2024 — The earliest known knitted items found in Europe were made by Muslims employed by the Spanish Christian Royal Families in the 13th century AD.

interweave.com

Crochet Through History - Interweave

March 13, 2024 — Japan was among the countries where crochet was taught by Westerners in the 1870s. A study by Dai Watanabe found Japanese crochet patterns for ...

darngoodyarn.com

Crafting in History : The History Of Crochet - Darn Good Yarn

May 17, 2022 — Crochet comes from the word croc/croche, the French word for hook. It also could be connected to the Norse word krokr, which also means hook.

youtube.com

Who Invented Crochet? The Interesting HISTORY Of ... - YouTube