The little knitter c. 1894

Minna Roberth made this print, "The Little Knitter," using etching, sometime in the late 19th century. The etching process, a skilled printmaking technique, involves using acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and used to create multiple impressions. The image shows women knitting, drawing our attention to the repetitive, meticulous work involved, a common pastime then often linked to domesticity and female virtue. Note how the etching technique itself mirrors this diligence, with countless tiny lines building up the scene. The image is a testament to the artist's technical skill, and also touches on themes of labor, leisure, and gender roles in society. Roberth brings the craft of knitting to the forefront, suggesting its value as both a skill and a subject for art, prompting us to rethink traditional hierarchies between fine art and craft.