Knitting Abbreviations.

Knitting has been a popular hobby especially among women for many years and recently it has seen a rise in interest due to celebrities taking up the activity and a leaning towards home arts and crafts due to the recession.

Knitting as we know it today evolved from the time when ancient civilizations would create snares and fishnets, for the capture of animals for food. Knitting did not reach Europe until the 15th century, when it became an art.

Knitting in it's modern form was believed to have been invented in Scotland, where they introduced it to the people of France. Until 1598 all knitting was done by hand, before the time when clergyman William Lee invented a machine that knitted stockings, however he was not granted a patent by Queen Elizabeth I as she felt it would be of detriment to those who worked making hand made garments.

In 1758 Jedediah Strutt a British cotton spinner invented an attachment that fitted to the stocking frame that produced ribbed goods.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel's father Marc Isambard Brunel was the inventor of the tricoteur in 1858, this device was a circular knitting frame which was notable in it's time.

Matthew Townsend patented his latch needle that managed heavier yarn.

In 1864 William Cotton improved machines so that they were able to shape garments this was called the cotton system and in 1889 automatic knitting machines were introduced.

Knitting as a general hobby is done with two needles and involves wrapping yarn around them into stitches to create different garments. Depending on how you work the yarn or wool and what size needles you use will determine what styles you end up making.