The knitting machine was invented in 1589. Invented by an English clergyman by the name of William Lee during the reign of Elizabeth I, the knitting machine changed the way we think about clothing and fabric. The business of making clothing transferred into small cottage industries, making hand knitting non-essential, a leisure activity.

… what I’m making? Here’s a clue…. It’s not a stripy blanket I’ve still got more tubes to make and then the sewing!

Do you crank with your right hand or turn the machine round? It’s mind boggling what I think about sometimes! 😂

The word “knit” is from the old English word cnyttan, “to knot.” It wasn’t added to the dictionary until the late 1400s.