[mildchalupa]

I thought it was determined to be a glove finger knitting apparatus.

[mkehrt]

Roman dodecahedra predate knitting by almost a thousand years. The earliest known knitting was from the 11th century (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knitting#History_and_culture), while the earliest dodecahedra are from the 2nd century (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron#History)

[scythe]

Meanwhile, elsewhere on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_knitting

>Earlier pieces having a knitted or crocheted appearance have been shown to be made with other techniques, such as Nålebinding, a technique of making fabric by creating multiple loops with a single needle and thread, much like sewing.[4] Some artefacts have a structure so similar to knitting, for example, 3rd-5th century CE Romano-Egyptian toe-socks, that it is thought the "Coptic stitch" of nalbinding is the forerunner to knitting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nålebinding

The lack of signs of wear is a bigger problem for this hypothesis IMHO

[NHQ]

To doubt that knitting existed in Roman Times is preposterous. Thats like saying they could not weave baskets. Instead your incredible hypothesis lends credence to recent studies by internet sleuths that indicate history as we are taught may have an extra 1000 years added simply because dates have been mistranslated or misconstrued to read a 1 (one) where there is indeed an I or J symbol, denoting years since the Christ; IOW that that 1999 is actually J999.

[anthk]

Knitting is from the Neolithic. The Chinese were already knitting silk about 3000 years ago.

[Fluorescence]

Hmm, I'm not convinced.

The only geometry the knitting demonstrations justify is "pins around hole". I don't see an argument for the dodecahedron shape or the cast metal. A vastly cheaper wooden jig with nails would service just as well and offer much better ergonomic possibilities, like a handle. The knitting with the finger growing inside the dodec looks unhelpful and implausible.

[eigenket]

> The knitting with the finger growing inside the dodec looks unhelpful and implausible

There are also examples without the big holes in, which would make knitting pretty much impossible.

[JoeAltmaier]

Romans had mass production facilities for some things. Possibly gloves. So a durable permanent jig is not an unreasonable suggestion.

[declan_roberts]

The glove is inverted, the fingers are inserted into the holes separately and sewn into the glove using the pins.

When you’re done, you take it off and unfold it.

[thih9]

Related, video showing its use in knitting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76AvV601yJ0

[__MatrixMan__]

Even if that's the case, some mystery remains, discussed at this point: https://youtu.be/76AvV601yJ0?si=JQi4K8w9ZvphZ1wV&t=460

Presumably you'd find similar jigs for finishing the glove nearby.

[TSiege]

I love this idea! Looks like it works brilliantly too

[declan_roberts]

I love seeing all of the nerdy (and wrong) explanations of it, when in reality somebody’s grandma took a look at it and said “oh that’s for sewing gloves”.

No mention in the article for this purpose, but sometimes it takes a bit for grandma info to reach the researchers.

[meindnoch]

That's a heartwarming story. Unfortunately it's bullshit.

[creole_wither]

I don't think knitting existed during the time of Roman Britain.

[Grimblewald]

It was suggested and some old bird even showed it was possible to do it, but it was not a complete explanation, especially given some variations in designs that made glove making hard. Another plausible option is it served as a calendar of sorts. Equally mundane explaining the broad distribution.

[busssard]

thought so too