History ·
How the Bicycle Shaped the Modern Sweater
Knitting historian Elizabeth Lovick told me the bicycle helped make sweaters everyday clothing for women, so I dug into the history of sweaters.
History
Where the things we knit came from.
September 2026
October 2024
History ·
The History and Legacy of Bohus Stickning
Bohus Stickning is a Swedish stranded colorwork style born in the 1930s, and this is its history from the Great Depression through its revival.
August 2024
History ·
How many ways are there to knit?
A quick guide to six ways to knit, from English and Continental to Portuguese and lever knitting, and why you can mix methods.
History ·
What knitting and video games have in common
Struggling with brioche, cables or magic loop socks is a skill issue, not a failing, and a video game idea shows why more practice is the fix.
February 2024
History ·
The 10 Levels of Knitting Mastery (Part 3 of 3)
The last part of my Knit Rank system for knitting skill levels asks whether levels help, then covers levels 8 to 10, up to an intarsia cardigan.
December 2023
History ·
Donate to these 5 Knitting Charities this Holiday Season
Five knitting charities that take handmade items or donations, from Knots of Love hats to Knitted Knockers, with picks from our readers.
July 2023
History ·
Knitting or Crochet: Which is better?
Knitting or crochet, and where each does best, with knitting ahead for garments, texture and stranded colorwork and crochet ahead for lace and blankets.
History ·
The Clever Creativity of Color Block Knitting
Color block knitting splits a garment into big sections of color, and I trace its path from Mondrian to Yves Saint Laurent to today's knitwear.
June 2023
History ·
What is Jaanipäev?
Jaanipäev is the Estonian midsummer holiday, and I describe the bonfires, grilling, dancing and sauna that mark it where I now live.
History ·
Great Knitting Advice from Dad
Three bits of fatherly advice that fit knitting, on learning from everyone, measuring progress against yourself and not chasing every opportunity.
History ·
How knitting began the industrial revolution
Three inventors who improved the knitting machine, from the Derby rib to circular and sock machines, and why that left hand knitting free to be a pleasure.
History ·
This English clergyman invented a new way of knitting
William Lee invented the stocking frame to mimic hand knitting, and this is how it fared with Queen Elizabeth I, in France and after his death.
History ·
How men changed the history of knitting
A short history of knitting that credits men's need for tools and clothing with creating the craft, and the men-only guilds that followed.
History ·
World Wide Knit In Public Day
World Wide Knit in Public Day falls on the second Saturday in June, and it grew from 25 events in 2005 to over 1,000 in more than 50 countries.
History ·
Just keep going...
I'm training for a marathon and a scarf-knitting record, and it's a reminder to keep going on a hard knitting project like a sock heel.
May 2023
History ·
How the Red Cross changed knitting forever
How the Red Cross used standardized patterns, set needle sizes and approved yarn colors to change knitting for soldiers during World War 1.
History ·
It's ok to make changes to your knitting
It's fine to change a knitting pattern, from swapping a bind off or heel technique to shortening sleeves, when the result works for you.
History ·
Linen: An ancient, forgotten fiber
Linen yarn is strong, breathable and cool for warm weather knitting, but it is pricey and usually blended, with five linen yarns we love.
April 2023
History ·
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Learning to look at your knitting and know what to do takes time, so try something, rip it out if it fails, and remember how far you have come.
March 2023
History ·
7 Knitting Blogs That Will Level Up Your Skills
Seven knitting blogs for deeper technique, from TECHknitting and Nimble Needles to Tin Can Knits and PieceWork Magazine.