Carole Holmes, age 13, of Plainfield, Ind., for her question:

WHO INVENTED KNITTING?

Knitting is the building of a fabric by interlocking loops of yarn by means of two needles. It is almost like weaving by hand.

Knitting was apparently unknown in Europe before the15th century when it was first practiced in Italy and Spain. The Scots claimed its invention and also its introduction to other countries.

The first knitting machine was invented in England in 1589 by William Lee who was refused a patent by Queen Elizabeth I on the ground that it would put hand knitters out of work.