Knitting Patterns

Do you associate knitting with grannies sitting in rocking chairs? Do you think that the art of taking simple knitting patterns, a skein of yarn, and two needles and creating beautiful fabric is a simply hobby? Well, then, you are seriously mistaken about the true beauty and history of knitting in our culture. Though the act of knitting is as simple as using a knitting pattern and at least two needled to loop yarn into a larger garment, the evolution of knitting as a hobby and art has been centuries in the making. Many years ago, the process of taking yarn to make fabric was a necessity, not a hobby like it is today, and the ability to make large projects without the use of massive equipment such as looms relegated knitting into the realm of home necessities that all girls were to learn. However, the real boon to knitting in British society came during World War II when the booklet 'Make Do and Mend' was issued by the Ministry of Information. With the purpose of encouraging those at home to repurpose old garments during a wool shortage, this booklet released several knitting patterns that could be used to create items around the house or to make gloves and berets to send to the soldiers fighting on the front lines. Since that time, the scarcity of wool has been less of a problem and many women, and men too, in the 21st century use knitting as a hobby, taking basic knitting patterns and turning them into works of art that are both practical and beautiful. Indeed, the visions of old ladies knitting the day away is not only outdated, but takes away the unlimited potential of knitting in the modern world.