The Revival and Significance of Hand Knitting
ANNOUNCER: Part 4, you will hear a lecturer on a fashion design course introducing the subject of hand knitting, which involves making things like woolen jumpers and scarves. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40. Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
SPEAKER: Good morning everyone, today we’re going to look at an important creative activity called hand knitting.
SPEAKER: Ancient knitted garments have been found in many different countries, showing that knitting is a global activity with a long history.
SPEAKER: When people hear the word knitting, they often imagine an elderly perso
, perhaps a grandmother sitting by the fire knitting clothes for family members.
SPEAKER: This image may make knitting seem like a skill of the past, and in fact it was once predicted that knitting might disappear from everyday life.
SPEAKER: Many traditional craft skills declined when industrial machines began producing clothing, and when these skills were no longer passed down between generations.
SPEAKER: However, this situation is now changing, and interest in knitting classes is increasing in many countries.
SPEAKER: At the same time, sales of knitting equipment have also increased.
SPEAKER: People want to learn knitting today because this handicraft offers many benefits.
SPEAKER: In the past, many people knitted because they could not afford to buy clothes.
SPEAKER: Even today, knitting can help families experiencing economic hardship, especially if several children need warm winter clothing.
SPEAKER: Although knitting requires only basic skills and a small financial investment, the results can be very rewarding.
SPEAKER: In modern society, one of the greatest advantages of knitting is its benefit for mental well-being.
SPEAKER: Today people may spend up to nine hours a day online, so working with the hands provides relief from a fast-paced technological lifestyle.
SPEAKER: Now let’s consider the early history of knitting.
SPEAKER: The exact origins of knitting are unknown, but archaeological discoveries provide valuable evidence.
SPEAKER: Early knitted garments were usually round rather than flat.
SPEAKER: Finds from the 3rd and 4th centuries in Egypt include items such as socks and gloves.
SPEAKER: These were often knitted in a single piece using four or five needles, unlike modern knitting patterns which usually require only two needles.
SPEAKER: The earliest knitting needles were made by hand from materials such as wood and bone.
SPEAKER: Today, knitting needles are commonly made from steel or plastic, producing the familiar clicking sound while knitting.
SPEAKER: Early yarns were made from materials such as line
, hemp, cotto
, and wool.
SPEAKER: These materials were often rough on the ski
.
SPEAKER: The invention of the spinning wheel allowed people to produce finer yar
in larger quantities.
SPEAKER: This development made wool the dominant material in the knitting industry because of its warmth.
SPEAKER: Because knitting developed in many regions of the world, distinct regional styles appeared.
SPEAKER: These patterns help researchers identify where a knitted item came from, or even the occupatio
of the person who wore it.
SPEAKER: For people in poorer communities, knitting also provided a way to earn extra money.
SPEAKER: Men, women, and children often knitted while doing other tasks, such as watching sheep, walking to market, or traveling by boat.
ANNOUNCER: That is the end of part 4. You now have one minute to check your answers to part 4.