The historical development of knitting dates back to ancient times, with early examples such as the Egyptian cotton socks from 1000-1400 AD and the Islamic knitting tradition in the 11th century. Knitting spread to Europe, with Spain adopting the craft in the 12th century and the British Isles following suit in the 13th century. The Industrial Revolution brought about knitting innovations such as the stocking frame in 1589 and circular knitting machines in the late 18th century, leading to mass production and the decline of hand knitting. However, the digital age has sparked a knitting revival with online communities like Ravelry, digital patterns, and 3D knitting technology making the craft more accessible and innovative than ever before.
