A very long string

I love the idea that knitters and crocheters from all around the world, throughout the ages, all start the same way, with what is essentially a very long string (or a string for each color in multi-color work). We work the string (the fiber, the yarn) until it is an intricate collection of loops, recognizable as a piece of clothing, costume, home accessory, art....

I first encountered this painting by Bertram von Minden last week in the book entitled Knitting Technology (Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles) by David J. Spencer.  The book is one of the text resources for the Knit Design & Technology class I'm taking at FIT. 

This painting by Meister Bertram, said to be the oldest depiction of knitting in art (late 14th century),
is in the collection of the Hamburg Kunsthalle Museum. 

I'm not sure why, but what I like most about the painting is that Mary is knitting a seamless garment for young Jesus, using four double pointed needles.  Turns out you can send a free e-card of this painting or other knitting-related paintings from Lion Brand Yarn site!

Other interesting knitted items I came across this week are these ceremonial garments from Cross River, Nigeria, photographed by Phyllis Galembo.

From the book Phyllis Galembo:  Maske

I love this pineapple purse from the 1800s in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a searchable database.

And they all started with a string.