How do you feel when you hold ebony wood as a tool and enjoy the smoothness? For thousands of years, this piece of ancient wood has been famous among artists and craftspeople due to its remarkable strength and rich, deep color. At Lantern Moon, we honour heritage by producing luxurious knitting needles so that you get a premium and snag-free experience while crafting. Let's cover the vast journey in our blog, from ancient times to its unique position in knitting, crocheting, and handcrafted art today. You can quickly refer to our blog to read about the joy of working with ebony wood.
Magic of Ebony Wood- A Natural Treasure
Ebony is a dark color wood that you get from various evergreen trees found in India, Sri Lanka, and South Asia. The specialty is its incredible hardness and smooth texture. This rare wood has a complex dying process and is also expensive, it needs professionals for processing to avoid cracks. Since ancient times, people have recognized and understood the superiority, magic of ebony wood. This rare wood was often used to craft religious artifacts, sculptures, and royal furnishings, symbolizing power, magic, and mystery.
Ancient Egypt- Ebony wood for the Gods and the Kings
Are you aware that the first civilisation to use ebony wood was ancient Egypt? Archaeologists have discovered the remnants of ebony wood in Egyptian tombs thousands of years ago. This dark wood is believed to guard the soul in the afterlife. For Egyptians, ebony was not just a crafting material; it was a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.
India and South Asia- Continuing the Craft
Ebony became a popular material for expert woodcarvers in India. Temples were embellished with elaborate panels and ebony doors. It was earlier considered for delicate, intricate work that could last for centuries due to its strength and fine grain. Additionally, ebony was used to make musical instruments in places like Thailand and Sri Lanka. It was perfect for creating violin and sitar parts because of its inherent resonance, which gave them a rich, full sound.
The Middle Ages and the Renaissance: Ebony Across Continents
Ebony wood was brought to Europe in the Middle Ages by traders who travelled by sea and road. It became the preferred material for high-end products in Europe, such as boxes, combs, chessboards, and knife handles.
Modern Times - From Royalty to Makers
Ebony is still considered elegant, luxurious, and strong. This wood is now available widely, not only for royalty but also to the makers or crafters who love quality and tradition. The tale of ebony wood is carried on by the Lantern Moon in ancient times to make luxurious crafting tools, such as crochet hooks or circular needles.
Why Ebony Wood is Perfect for Knitting and Crocheting?
If given a choice, would you like to pick other material instead of ebony wood? After knowing various qualities and benefits, one would like to opt for ebony, especially when choosing knitting accessories. A few of the benefits you can check out:
- The glossy surface of ebony helps the smooth functioning of needles. If working with silk or thin yarn, having the right circular needles will make your project professional and outstanding.
- This strong and dense wood is light in weight, which reduces hand strain during the long crafting session.
- Do you know if working with low-quality wood for crafting will ruin your project? But the quality of ebony wood will resist warping, splintering, and cracking.
- Metal needles are cold when touched in winter, ebony has the properties of natural warmth, hence ideal to use during the colder days. Read our blog about how to transform knitting and crocheting into art.
Care Tips for Ebony Wood
Give your tool extra care, as it's a natural material, to keep it in superb condition:
- To keep your crafting tools clean and dust-free, use a soft cloth to wipe them.
- Store all your knitting tools or double-pointed needles in a dry place to avoid moisture.
- Use dry muslin or a paper towel for cleaning it, and then apply a thin layer of natural beeswax. Dry it for some time and then clean it with a soft muslin or chamois cloth. Refer to our guide to know the 6 reasons why handcrafted needles are considered the best.
Crafting things with ebony wood is luxurious; it is also associated with tradition, beauty, and connection. You're holding a piece of ancient history in your hands when you use Lantern Moon's ebony knitting accessories, such as stitch markers, making your project remarkable.