There’s something so comforting about wrapping yourself in a handmade blanket or slipping on a pair of knitted socks. It’s like a warm hug from the past, linking us back to our ancestors who made use of the same basic materials and techniques.
Long before fancy yarn shops existed, people were creating fabric from what they had around them—plant fibers, animal wool, and anything else they could spin into thread. One of the earliest fibers used for making textiles was linen, derived from the flax plant. It’s been found in prehistoric caves and is still used in fabric today! Can you imagine spinning that by hand?
Next up, there’s wool. Ah, good old wool! Sheep have been our fluffy friends for centuries, providing warmth and comfort with their fleece. The process of turning raw wool into yarn has remained surprisingly consistent over the years. It’s simple, really—shear the sheep, clean and card the wool, then spin it into yarn. While today we have modern tools to speed up the process, the core technique is the same as it was hundreds of years ago.
And let’s not forget about cotton. Although it’s a more recent addition to the yarn family, cotton has become a go-to fiber for lighter, breathable fabrics. Cotton plants were first cultivated in places like India and South America, and before long, cotton yarn was being woven and knitted across the world.
It’s amazing to think how many hands, over so many centuries, have spun fibers into yarn, knitted blankets, or crocheted garments. Each stitch carries a bit of history, and every skein of yarn connects us back to those simpler times.
So next time you’re cozying up with a project, take a moment to appreciate the tradition you’re continuing—a tradition that’s woven deep into the fabric of human history!