Hand knitting, to date, has received relatively little attention from textile historians. In this full history of the craft, the author offers a definition of the process in relation to other yarn crafts such as crochet. Literary evidence is drawn upon and the social aspects of knitting are a main concern. Well-known legends about knitting history are re-evaluated and the development of techniques and tools is covered, together with the history of the craft from before 1500 to the present day. Some local traditions of the British Isles are investigated, including the knitting of Shetland, Aran, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Yorkshire Dales. Knitting tradtions east of the Adriatic and in the Americas have separate chapters, and the book includes a historical glossary and a transcription of the earliest English knitting pattern. Richard Rutt's previous books have been about Korean and Chinese literature.
- ISBN10 0713451181
- ISBN13 9780713451184
- Publish Date 26 November 1987
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 14 May 1992
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Pavilion Books
- Imprint Batsford Ltd
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 256
- Language English