Cooperstown, NY Boys Knitting on behalf of the Atlantic Division of the American Red Cross
For all of recent history, knitting has been seen as a woman's craft. While it is difficult to trace the very long and colored history of knitting it is absolutely untrue that it was exclusive to women. Many historians believe that fishermen were among the first knitters and it was men that turned the craft into a profession. Knitting guilds started cropping up in 14th century Europe and were dominated by men.
Knitting was also an important part of early American history and rebellion. In Guerilla Knitting for Men, Charles Capaldi notes:
During the colonial era, children of both sexes were pressed into service producing their own garters, socks, stockings, caps and scarves.
Spinning, knitting and weaving were the only means of turning raw wool into a product necessary for winter survival. During the American Revolution, colonists spurned British wool and the taxes that came with it. Wearing clothes made of “homespun” and “hand-knit” wool was the ultimate snub to King George III.
Knitting remained a common craft until the 19th century when Industrialization expanded into textiles thus allowing for mass-produced clothing. The many cultural and practical changes that came into effect eventually led to the decline of hand-knitting.
School boys went back to the sticks during World War I and II, alongside women, in order to knit clothing for soldiers fighting abroad. Neat, right?
Here are a few good men... err, links
Guerilla Knitting for Men
Yarn Boys in History
When Knitting was a Manly Art
