The Real Luddites Were Fighting for Their Craft, Not Against Machines
Lace and Labor: Lessons from the actual Luddites
Knitter and audio producer Elizabeth Kauma traces the intertwined history of labor and fiber arts, from medieval knitting guilds to the framework knitting machine that displaced handknitters. She explains why crochet, which cannot be machine-made, became a Victorian craze, and offers tips for spotting imitation crochet from fast fashion. The episode connects today's automation fears to the original Luddites, who fought for their livelihoods, not against technology itself.
Once knitting became a leisure activity, it went from a respectable trade done by both genders to a pastime particular to women.