A centuries-old history of crochet

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

To this day, no one knows how the history of crochet began. One thing can be said: needlework is very ancient. The proof of this is the finds of archaeologists in Egyptian tombs. The knitting patterns themselves, unfortunately, have almost not survived to this day, but only left traces of their existence. So, for example, a drawing was found on the wall of one tomb, in which a woman puts on knitted socks. This image is about 4 thousand years old!

In another tomb, a child's sock was found, and it had a very interesting shape - his thumb was knitted separately. This means that even then, in the III-IV centuries. n. e., socks were knitted for the convenience of wearing them with sandals. And such shoes, as you know, had a strap between the fingers, like modern flip-flops.

The history of crochet allows you to touch it in specialized museums around the world. There you can see multi-colored silk dresses, decorative belts, socks and stockings, sweaters, fancy lace and much more. And the age of some things is very impressive. Some of them are several centuries old, while others are several thousand years old.

In Europe, the history of crochet began aroundin the ninth century. It is believed that it was born thanks to the Copts - Egyptian Christians. These missionaries, visiting Europe, took knitted things with them, which attracted the attention of local residents. Knitted things then could only be afforded by rich people. For example, the cost of a pair of silk stockings was equal to the annual salary of a royal shoemaker. Only in the XV-XVI centuries the production of knitted products was put on stream. Huge workshops were created for the manufacture of stockings, socks, sweaters, hats. Moreover, it is worth noting that only men were taken to work in them. A little later, women also began to engage in this craft.

However, despite the factory production of knitwear, crocheting did not give up its positions. History shows that homemade work has always been valued much higher. Although crocheting required more time and considerable effort, things made in this way turned out to be unique, inimitable. Moreover, no one has yet invented a machine capable of imitating it.

It still remains a mystery how the history of crochet in Russia began. One thing is known that this type of needlework was practiced here a very long time ago, before the 11th century. Knitted mainly by villagers. To do this, they used threads from sheep's wool and made warm clothes: socks, stockings, sweaters, mittens, etc.

For a long time, crochet technology has not been fixed anywhere. Each nation had its own secrets and methods. And only in 1824 in the Dutch magazine"Penelope" for the first time presented ways to make drawings and patterns. Thus, crochet was standardized. After, at the end of the 19th century, two designation systems were created: American and British. They are still used today.

Crochet has not lost its relevance today. In this way, not only wardrobe items are created, but also the home interior is decorated. Modern craftsmen crochet napkins, blankets, lampshades, tablecloths. Even mobile phones and other gadgets such craftsmen manage to “dress up” in exclusive covers.

Knitting for children is no less popular. Crochet turns out to create especially cute lace caps and booties, dresses and blouses. You can’t knit this on knitting needles, and even more so, you can’t buy such products in stores. Also, knitting for children is good because it does not require a lot of threads and does not take much time.