In my previous post (here) I outlined how I arrived at a theory for the development of knitting from cross-knit looped nalbinding. In short, I noticed that the structure of cross-knit looped nalbinding and crossed-stitch knitting are similar. The only difference was the direction of the loops (pointing down for nalbinding and up for knitting).Continue reading “Proto-Knitting: a technique for mending nalbound objects?”
Tag Archives: Morocco
Comparing Nalbinding and Knitting: did knitting come from nalbinding?
When talking about the origins of knitting, nalbinding is inevitably mentioned. This is because the objects we thought were the oldest knitted artifacts were in fact made by nalbinding, not knitting.(1) This is an easy mistake to make since nalbinding can produce a fabric that looks very similar to knitted fabric. But how similar areContinue reading “Comparing Nalbinding and Knitting: did knitting come from nalbinding?”
Tarriwin, or Middle Atlas Leg Warmers, in Photos
Two posts ago (here), I wrote about how I learned of tarriwin; my experience trying to find tarriwin knitters; and my hypothesis for the knitting technique used in making them. Following that post (here), I wrote about tarriwin knitting and how it might help to untangle the history of knitting. Now, I’d like to shareContinue reading “Tarriwin, or Middle Atlas Leg Warmers, in Photos”
Why is Moroccan Intarsia-in-the-Round Knitting Important?
Moroccan Knitting and the History of Knitting The history of knitting has intrigued me since my early 20s when my mom gave me Nancy Bush’s book, Folk Socks: The History and Techniques of Handknitted Footwear, for my birthday. It was in the pages of Folk Socks that I first learned about knitting in northern Africa.Continue reading “Why is Moroccan Intarsia-in-the-Round Knitting Important?”
The Middle Atlas Skirt Pattern and Intarsia-in-the-Round
When I was doing research for my book, Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond, I came across a beautiful pair of leg warmers in the book Berber Costumes of Morocco by Frieda Sorber and Marie-Rose Rabaté. The complex tessellating pattern was intriguing and reminded me of the patterns decorating objectsContinue reading “The Middle Atlas Skirt Pattern and Intarsia-in-the-Round”
Washing Wool in the High Atlas
How do Cooperative Ibilou artisans create such fluffy, clean clouds of carded wool for spinning? It all starts with a walk to the river with a bundle of fresh High Atlas sheep wool. You can read more about the washing process and how the wool is spun in my article published in Ply Magazine’s SummerContinue reading “Washing Wool in the High Atlas”
106 Meters from the Road 