History of Loom Knitting

Loom Knitting is an ancient art used all over the world from various walks of life. Records show items created by looms as early as the Ancient Egyptians. Looming has many names such as stocking frame, rake, ring, box, bung, spook, reel and much more. Looms have been used all over the world and in the 1500s gained popularity in factories during the industrial revolution and in the home.

In 1589 Nottingham, the first recorded loom was created by the English Reverend William Lee. Lee's wife was a knitting enthusiast and he just couldn't take the clacking of his wives pristine 16th-century knitting needles. Determined to find a new way to knit without needles, he created the stocking frame machine, thus the flat loom was born. Although Lee was not granted a patent from Queen Elizabeth I of England, Lee's invention caught the eye of another royal, France’s King Henri IV and expanded into other parts of Europe. 200 years later, Marc L Brunel perfected the circular knitting machine made by Decroix in 1798, expanding the knittings mill industry which could now create flat and round paneled clothing and textiles.

Fast forward to today, and loom knitting has resurged into millions of homes around the world. Although the stocking frame was invented to quiet down the noise of needles, loom knitting has created a whole new noise and a resurgence of creative and talented designers who look beyond the pegs.

The history behind knitting, looming and fiber arts is endless. What our ancestors created is revolutionary and gives other fiber artists around the world the opportunity to share and showcase their talents and designs.

The history we have today we did not make it up and as always we will share our resources and pay homage to those before us who worked diligently in documenting the history of knitting and looming.

Thank you to all of the other knitters, loomers and fiber artists before us who have done their research as well and shared their info with the world.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of knitting and loom knitting click the following links.

Disclaimer:

Hello Fiber Artists & Designers!

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Thank you for all your support!

Thank you and happy knitting!

Namaste,
BOHLD

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