Just as a river can be utilitarian, providing food one fish at a time, early knitting was utilitarian, providing a means for making clothing and rugs one piece at a time. The process of knitting was taught from parent to child. Knitting was part of daily work in the home. Soon knitting guilds developed and knitters could study to become a Master Knitter, a feat that required at least 6 years! Most Master Knitters were men and knitting provided them a means of support.

The knitting river flowed from this period of existence to the industrial age when the knitting machines were invented and the knitting river became industrial. Indeed hand knitting all but died as the machine could meet our needs for knitted garments. Thankfully, some knitting continued in the home. In Wales and Scotland the knitting river moved to a cottage industry with hand knitted garments providing a means of livelihood.

In today’s world the knitting river continues to flow. It is mainly a scenic and pleasurable flow of creativity. It flows from a designer or teacher to the knitter. We may be taught to knit by our mother, father, grandmother or grandfather. We may be taught to knit by a book we read, a CD or TV program we watch or in a class taught by an instructor at the local knitting shop or at the various knitting conferences. The internet has assured the spread of the knitting river so it will continue to flow. Knitting Guilds flourish again and provide us with a means to once again have Master Knitters. Thankfully, the study isn’t necessarily a six year process.

As today’s knitters jump in, we are touched by the same elements that touched the knitters in the utilitarian and industrial phases of the knitting river. We can respect the history and honor the flow of techniques that allow us to be creative, keeping the knitting river flowing for future generations to enjoy.