Sunday, November 6, 2011

Fun Knitting Facts

Check out some fun facts about knitting below - answers are under the 5 questions!

1.  Knitting has always been a traditionally female handicraft? 

    True or False

2.  Which of the following is not a material commonly used for knitting needles?
    Glass, Wood, Bone, Tortoise Shell, Copper, Ivory, Steel, Bamboo, Aluminum

3.  Which of these is not a method of casting on?

    Cable, Knitting On, Backwards Loop, Ringed, Crochet

4.  Now for some basic history. The knitting of stockings first became a major occupation of the poor in England during the reign of which monarch?

    Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mary, Queen Katherine

5.  During World Wars I and II women were encouraged to make garments for soldiers. To this end, the phrase "Knit your Bit" was used by which organization?
    National Guard, The USO, The American Red Cross

1.  False. Most historians agree that knitting originated with male Arabian sailors and was basically a male-only craft until fairly recently in it's history. In many non-western cultures knitting has remained prominent amongst men and is now considered a unisex hobby.
2.  Copper. Early knitting needles were usually made from bone, ivory or tortoise shell. With the legal issues surrounding some these substances, new materials were found, and examples of these old needles are very difficult to find, though even new examples of bone needles can be found. Modern needles are typically aluminum, steel, plastic, bamboo or hardwood, and even glass.
3.  Ringed. Other types of casting on include Cable, Knitting On, Backwards Loop, Crochet and dozens more.
4.  Queen Elizabeth I. Silk and wool knitted hose had been gaining in popularity amongst the upper class of England when Queen Elizabeth I ascended the throne. By 1600 England was the world leader in knitted stocking exports, largely due to the Queen's influence in fashion and new metalsmithing techniques which made steel knitting needles widely available to the lower classes.
5.  The American Red Cross. "Knit your bit" appeared on a famous poster depicting a pair of knitted socks in progress and the line, "Our boys need sox!" Special patterns were designed for uniform garments, and required olive drab or navy blue yarn. The patterns are still available at the American Red Cross Museum website, and in 2004 a new "Knit your bit" kit was released to commemorate the dedication of the National World War II Monument in Washington DC.

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