The word knitting comes from the word “knot” and it means to weave together two or more pieces yarn. The oldest knitted items have been found in Egypt and are dated between the 11th and 14th centuries AD but knitting is believed to be much older. Most histories of knitting place its origin somewhere in the Middle East, and from there it spread to Europe by Mediterranean trade routes and later to the Americas with European colonization.

There is a long history of knitting and activism in the U.S. Women’s knitting circles or groups were formed to defy British taxes on textiles prior to the American Revolution. After the Civil war, freed slaves were able to support themselves from knitting and today knitting is a means by which women all over the world are able to have economic independence.

These items stand out not only because they are handmade but because some are made from recycled fibers like the ReCashmere Button Mockneck and the Recycled Cashmere Soft Wrap Sweater but some of these brands support female artisans like the Jenna Jacket and the Liana Sweater.