What do weaving and programming have in common? At first glance, perhaps not much. But when you look closer at the history of technology, a fascinating picture emerges: one where textile craftsmanship and women's work are woven into the story of the birth of the computer.
In this blog post, we explore British theorist Sadie Plant's visionary essay The Future Looms, where she connects looms, women, and cybernetics, showing how the technology we use today is built upon an often-forgotten textile and feminine heritage.
A historical stitch: the loom as a coding machine
During the 19th century, the Jacquard loom revolutionized the textile industry by using punch cards to control patterns in fabrics, a kind of early code. Each card represented instructions, which were read by the machine and translated into woven forms. This was not only a technical breakthrough in weaving but also a direct precursor to the first computers.
Ada Lovelace, often called the world's first programmer, was inspired by this very loom when she wrote her famous notes on Babbage's "Analytical Engine." She saw the machine's potential to "weave algebraic patterns" as complexly as the flowers and ornaments woven into fabric.
Women, code, and invisible work
Sadie Plant argues that women have always been present in the development of technology, just not in the spotlight. From textile workers to telephone operators, from programmers to software testers – women's hands have shaped technology, even when their names have been forgotten.
Plant writes: Women have always spun, woven, and threaded the fabric of reality.
She draws a powerful parallel between the textile and the digital: both are built on systems, patterns, logic, and creation. And both have long been seen as "soft," "feminine," and therefore less valuable, despite their crucial importance.
What does this mean for us today?
Knytfolket brings together a new generation of creators, artisans, and entrepreneurs. By selling textile crafts online, we carry on a historical legacy of innovation, skill, and perseverance. And perhaps, when we knit a sweater or crochet a bag, we can feel a connection to the women who wove the future, both literally and technologically.
To know this history is to reclaim it. To see craftsmanship as knowledge, and coding as weaving in a new dimension.
Want to read more?
Sadie Plant's original essay in English: The Future Looms
Knitting at work: a way to focus, not to escape
In a world where we are expected to be constantly available and connected, it can feel almost radical to pick up knitting during a work meeting. But more and more people are discovering that precisely that – keeping their hands busy with something repetitive and creative – can actually improve focus and well-being.
Does it really help you focus more?
Yes! Several studies indicate that handicrafts like knitting and crocheting can help us maintain concentration, especially during longer meetings where we are not constantly speaking. When our hands are occupied with something we know by heart, it actually becomes easier to listen actively and be present in the conversation.
A study from the University of Gothenburg showed that people suffering from mental health issues often find that knitting helps them create structure and calm in their daily lives. The craft gave them context and an identity, which also boosts self-esteem.
📖 Read more: Knitting provides calm and structure in mental illness
Another study published in Frontiers in Psychology showed that a short period of crocheting can increase both attention and brain activity, even more than resting.
📖 Read more: Crochet increases attention
Knitting = multitasking with meaning
Knitting during a meeting is not about distracting oneself, but about creating better internal focus. It can be compared to taking notes or drawing simple sketches: the brain is helped to process what we hear.
And this is not only relevant in working life. For many of us in Knytfolket, handicraft is not just a profession or a hobby; it is a way of thinking, being, and communicating.
Dare to knit openly
So next time you're in a meeting, physical or digital, and feel that you would focus better with knitting on your lap – give it a try. You might even inspire someone else to do the same.