The Praise of the Needle

Samantha's mittens

Samantha's mittens

To all dispersed sorts of ARTS and TRADES,

I writ the needles prayse (that never fades)

So long as children shall be got or borne,

So long as garments shall be made or worne,

So long as Hemp or flax or Sheep shall bear

their linnen woollen fleeces yeare by yeare:

So long as Silk-wormes, with exhausted spoile,

Of their own Entrailes for man’s gaine shall toyle:

yea till the world be quite dissolv’d and past;

So long at least, the Needles use shall last.

Detail of Karen's hat

Detail of Karen's hat

JOHN TAYLOR, London 1640

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Purl, sweater by Laurel, Office Knitting Terriers Mascot

Purl, sweater by Laurel, Knitting Terriers Mascot