History of Knitting

Last Updated on Sunday, 27 September 2009 02:24 Written by Manic Butterfly Monday, 28 September 2009 09:00

Submitted by CalcedoniaDesign.

Knitting is not my specialty-my mom can knit up a storm-I would rather crochet. Knitting patterns were a little difficult to read and no matter how hard I tried (sigh) the item always came out wider, then long enough. So it was always rip and redo. When my son was born (many moons ago) I decided to knit him a sweater. I think about it now and still I laugh my head off-you’d have to see this picture in your mind to understand. When my son was young I always had to buy him Sears ‘super super slim’  shirts and pants. The sweater I knitted him turned out to be a midriff, which could have fit a baby elephant. Now I leave the knitted items to my mom who has just turned 86.

Here are some interesting links about how knitting originated, taken from Wikipedia:

• 1 Early origins of knitting
• 2 Early European Knitting
• 3 Importance in Scottish history
• 4 Industrial revolution
• 5 1920s: the Russian Civil Wars and China
• 6 1939-1945: Knitting for Victory
• 7 1950s and 60s: Haute Couture
• 8 1980s: A Decline
• 9 Early 21st Century Revival
• 10 References
• 11 Notes
• 12 See also
• 13 External links

Maille as Armour

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:24 Written by MakinTheBestOfIt Friday, 28 August 2009 06:23

Maille armour is the oldest known form of metal armouring in the world. Carbon dating places early celtic examples at 2000 years old. Samples of surviving Etruscan maille may be 3000 years old. Staggering to think that you’re engaging in a practice virtually unchanged since 1000 B.C.E isn’t it? In most of the world, that’s late Bronze age or early Iron age. It survived as a form of protection on the battlefield until the 17th century in europe, and in Japan continued battlefield use until the end of the 19th century.

Here, a distinction should be drawn between the uses of European and Japanese forms of maille.

In Europe it was common to encounter armour elements such as a hauberk, chausses, or coif composed solely of chain. They would be worn over thick quilted clothing such as a gambeson which helped absorb some of the impact from a blow. While you find that it’s incredibly difficult to cut through maille, it isn’t rigid. Youtube, the wasteland of stupidity on video that it can be, can produce quite a few videos of people “testing” their new maille shirt, by smacking their dumb as dirt friends with a piece of bar stock. It isn’t youtube if someone doesn’t get hurt… right? Commonly the ends of each ring were cut to overlap, hammered flat, then punched and riveted. Some maille armorers will still craft riveted maille; the form most of us use today without rivets is called butted, or butt-joined. I just like saying butt-joined…

Japanese maille was used primarily as a way to add a flexible joint or connection between two pieces of lacquered scale; rather than as an entire garment. It was a compromise in having some protection and durability under use while still allowing range of motion.

Another aspect to be very, very aware of with maille, is that it isn’t very resistant to piercing. An arrow or a weapon thrust is likely to force rings open. Yes, this means the heartbreaking news is coming, so never ask me… Maille is not bullet proof. No “what if you wrap it in kevlar?” “how many layers…” “if you use titanium/awesomanium/mithril/adamantium” questions. You’ll get one of two questions in response. “Are you willing to wear about 150lbs of steel?” or, “How stupid are you, exactly?” depending on my mood. Seriously, think about it, if it could stop a bullet, why aren’t we putting it to that use today?

Don’t let that stop you from buying 40lbs of stainless or galvanized steel wire, weaving up a shirt, and displaying a skill that’s survived for millenia. Look up the SCA if you’re not already a member and I’ll put money on you finding somone who’s willing to trade sword swings with you against your new toy. If you really, really have to use it the way it was intended, there’s no better or safer group for such a thing.

For what my opinion’s worth, make one out of 5356 alloy aluminium just to wear while you’re sitting at a coffee house at 3:30AM hoping the wi-fi doesn’t crap out just so you can read over a few more blogs before dawn.

Have fun
–Charon

http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/08/maille-as-armour.html

A Brief History of Crochet

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 12:21 Written by MakinTheBestOfIt Wednesday, 22 July 2009 07:13

I looked up the definition of crochet and this is what I found.

Before reading the history here is my little history. My grandmother (I called her nanna) she crochet up a storm with the thin threads and small hooks. (I tried this method and can’t do it to save my life) She crocheted doilies (I framed one and is hanging in my hallway) and bedspreads and decorated handkerchiefs.  My mom crocheted and knitted as well. My mom tried to teach me I guess when i was about nine years old or so. I could not learn to save my life.  My aunt had to show me cause even though I am righty I do a lot of stuff like a lefty.  So I learned.  When I was first married I crochet gifts for all of my nieces and nephews. Then dropped it for a long time and now I just love it you can find how I got started at Calcecondia on my etsy shop by reading my profile.

Little is known of the early history of crocheting. Some ancient cords are thought to have been made by finger crocheting. During the Renaissance, both peasant women and ladies of the court executed crochet work and also knotted work using several strands of thread (macrame), often producing lacelike fabrics. Much early crochet was made with fine, thin thread, producing imitations of European lace; one example is Irish lace, a variety of “crochet lace” introduced into Ireland about 1820 but also made throughout Europe, particularly in the Balkan states. Much modern crochet is executed with soft yarns and used to make garments and bed coverings. Although crochet can be made by machine, it has traditionally been, and continues to be, a home handcraft. In addition, contemporary fiber artists employ crochet along with other techniques to create large wall hangings and fiber sculptures.

Hope you enjoyed my little story.
Dora
Calcedoniadesign