I am very much a traditional knitter. I thrill, not at angora brassieres or saucy club-kid hats, but at hats and socks and sweaters and mitts that are made in styles that the knitters' ancestors would recognize. So here, because it's been too long since I did much websurfing and since I posted any links, are some sites showing or discussing the traditional aspect of our craft:

a handknit Inca-style earflap hat
the young woman who knit the hat. Note the around-the-neck style of yarn tensioning
not solely knit, but a history of hats around the world
Symbolism of Aran stitches (what they look like)
Symbolism of Aran stitches (what they supposedly represent or bring to you)
the myth of the drowned fisherman and his sweater
Turkish stockings
the history of knitting in Japan, part 1 (there is also a part 2
what Nalbinding is (the whole Norsefolk website looks pretty interesting, even if it's no longer being updated)

And some actual patterns:
Elizabeth's Knitting Page, with directions for Aran stitches and some traditional-style patterns
Lovikka mittens, and the story behind them