When you hear of knitting, crochet, and weaving, you may immediately think that they’re “old people’s hobbies,” but all sorts of people do these activities for various reasons. It may be to relax, focus, work on hand-eye coordination, hand dexterity, etc.
Knitting
Before we dive into the origins, we should explain what it is. Knitting is the art of thread being weaved together through loops to create a sort of fabric. And since on its most basic levels it only requires two sticks, or needles, and a ball of yarn, it’s considered one of the most accessible textile crafts (Blakeley).
Although it’s debated on when knitting was created, it is said to have been done first in the Middle East. Though, it is estimated to have started somewhere between 500 and 1000 CE in Egypt (“History of Knitting a Resource Guide – Kent”). It is believed that this early form of knitting shown in Egypt was slightly more atone to sewing, putting the thread through a needle’s eye (or hole at the top), and using the needle to make loops (“The history of hand-knitting”).
Crochet
Despite many believing that crochet is the same as knitting, there are some vast differences. Crochet is a craft that uses a single hook to pull yarn through itself in loops, working with a single loop at a time rather than knitting’s work with many and two needles (“A Brief History of Crochet”).
While knitting was a bit easier to spot throughout history, crochet made more subtle appearances, the version of which we know today coming from 19th century Europe. The first written documentation of crochet was in 1824 in a Dutch journal, and has just expanded from there (“A Brief History of Crochet”).
Weaving
Weaving is not exactly as well-known as knitting or crochet, though it’s just as important. It’s the process of making fabric by interlacing vertical and horizontal threads perpendicularly, often using a loom. It’s one of the oldest forms of textile craftsmanship, and it’s still used today in making a variety of things such as carpets, towels, curtains, and even clothing (“What is Weaving?”).
Once again, weaving is said to have originated in Egypt, this time in about 5000 BCE, where it was used to make the earliest known textiles. Over time, it developed until the first looms were created in 2500 BCE. As it spread, other civilizations, such as the Greeks, refined the loom to make it better for larger pieces and more detailing. It kept on developing more and more until it reached where we are today (Shiv Textiles).
Conclusion
There’s a lot of things in life that you may overlook because you think they’re boring or unimportant. But maybe those things are worth looking into, and always worth the appreciation.
Works Cited
Blakeley, Sasha. “Knitting Definition, History & Types – Lesson.” Study.com, https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-textile-knitting-process.html. Accessed 2 April 2026.
“A Brief History of Crochet.” Mother Knitter, https://motherknitter.com/history-of-crochet/. Accessed 2 April 2026.
“The history of hand-knitting.” Victoria and Albert Museum, 17 April 2024, https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-history-of-hand-knitting?srsltid=AfmBOoqEiukA_XJDZ4Innq91N8uwq5CBRNVrNZ_SeA7NxiUzKqbadQqU. Accessed 2 April 2026.
“History of Knitting a Resource Guide – Kent.” Makers’ Mercantile, https://www.makersmercantile.com/history-of-knitting-a-resource-guide.htm. Accessed 2 April 2026.
Shiv Textiles. “A Timeline Of The History Of Weaving.” Shiv Textiles, 8 December 2023, https://www.shivtextiles.co.uk/post/a-timeline-of-the-history-of-weaving. Accessed 2 April 2026.
“What Is Weaving? The Ancient Craft Behind Turkish Textiles | Handwoven Turkish Towels & Textiles – Jennifer’s Hamam.” Jennifer’s Hamam, 9 July 2025, https://www.jennifershamam.com/news-more/what-is-weaving-a-beginners-guide. Accessed 2 April 2026.
