A long history of knit in Japan

Today, and February 10th annually, is ニットの日 (Knit Day). The date of the anniversary comes on a wordplay of February 10th, 2/10, which combines to form !nitto", ni (2) and tto (10), the Japanese for knit. 

Knit Day is really about appreciating the long, surprisingly global history of knitting. The word “knit” in English can mean both the noun—knitted items—and the verb “to knit,” and Japan uses it in that same flexible way. Knitting itself goes back to the Paleolithic era, when early humans created nets from a single continuous thread. Over time, people around the world began weaving and looping materials like yarn, straw, rope, and bamboo into baskets, mats, clothing, and decorative items.

In Japan, knitted nets existed as early as the Jōmon period, and by the late 17th century, knitted fabrics from Spain and Portugal introduced the term meriyasu, which became the foundation for socks and other everyday wear. Do you knit?