Abstract:

Fabricating as a forming method is adopted for along term, but no conclusion about its origin is drawn. In order to explore the origin of the fabricating, by the comparison on grneral definitions of braiding, knotting, fabricating and flocculating, the more precise definitions on them have been provided in theory, and the collective characteristics of fabricating have been recognized. Similarly, based on the forming method and structural characteristics of braiding and knotting, and by the comparison among weaving, braiding, knotting and nonwoven and the characteristics of fabrocs fromed by the four methods, it can be affirmed that the paternal origin of both weaving and 3-D braiding is braiding. The maternal origin of knitting is knotting as the main while the paternal origin of knitting is braiding as supplement. The tools needed for weft knitting are simpler, so it appears much earlier than warp knitting. While non-woven is the posterity of the flocking. By the investigation on unearthed evidence including the real objects and traces of braiding, knotting and flocculating, it is concluded that braiding and knotting are the oldest wasy to make the soft tools. The braids and knots, appearing in the mid-Paleolithic, should be named as braiding-formed tool and knotting-formed tool respectively, referring to the stone tool and pottery. Fabricating is a combination of braiding and knotting where tools are used and transfer to clothing-used, so fabricating is the posterity of the braiding and knotting.

Key words: fabricating, braiding, knotting, origin, trace