Hello everyone:
Maybe people have seen these already, but as fate would have it, I just
came across an illustration and a model of stocking frames at this site,
the Science & Society Picture Library London, which includes 30,000 images
from the Science Museum, National Railway Museum, and National Museum of
Photography, Film and Television.
(I hope that "Digbig" comes through for me - I'm trying to learn to use it
more and the url was enormous!)
1750's: http://digbig.com/4fxwq
Caption:
Engraving taken from the Universal Magazine showing three textile workers
spinning yarn, winding bobbins and using a stocking frame to knit woollen
stockings.
1770's: http://digbig.com/4fxwr
This knitting machine, although made in about 1770, is similar to the
original frame invented by Reverend William Lee in 1589. Knitting, when a
surface is made by interlooping a single thread with itself, is the second
principle method of fabric manufacture. A knitted cloth is extensible in
every direction, and will fit the body in a way impossible with woven
fabric. The original stocking frame of 1589 was a remarkably complicated
machine for its time and employed, for the first time, the spring needles
and other devices still used today.
If that doesn't work, try a search using "stockings" at:
http://www.ingenious.org.uk/See/
The work that international museums, libraries, historical societies (not
to forget individuals) in putting up image databases is absolutely brilliant.
Sheridan Alder
At 10:32 AM 1/12/2006 -0500, you wrote:
Hi Kathleen,
My area of study is 18th century hosiery, and I was doing reenactment
of that era for about 18 years. Knitting needles are an even
simpler tool, and can deal with different sizes of items. As a
cottage industry, that's all a knitter would need. Some homes did
have a knitting frame.
We don't have extant wooden frames from that era except for possibly
the purse frames, and no artwork or descriptions of that method.
Until we do, it counts as experimental archeology. If she does have
information, there are many people who would like to know about it!
We've talked about it on the HistoricKnit list, and I think there is
also a new list for peg-frame knitters.
Can the peg frame increase or decrease for the calf and ankle? That
is a feature of 18th century hosiery, whether it's hand knit or
framework.
-Carol
> Ah, but I mentioned yesterday that I have a friend who
> has a circular wooden Frame on which she makes no- seam stockings for
> herself and her man. She was working on a pair at Christmas time. Her
> era for reenactment is the 18th century. As a spinner and weaver, she
is very
> fussy to maintain traditional fiber arts for her time period. This frame
> method can even manipulate the turning of a heel.
>
> Now I do not know how early this style of knitting was known, but the
> concept is basically simple and could have been fashioned by any cottage
> crafter as a means of producing leg wear, hats and neck scarves.
>
> Kathleen
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carol Kocian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Historical Costume" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 1:47 AM
> Subject: Re: [h-cost] Re: knitting stockings
>
>
>> Kathleen said,
>> >I have a friend who "does" 18th Century. She is currently knitting
>> >stockings on a wooden frame about 8" diameter. This is set with
>> >wooden pegs and the fiber is worked in much the same manner as the
>> >Knitty-knobby one might use to make cording. She says that one can
>> >even turn a heel!!
>>
>> People have been looking for info on this as an early practice.
>> "Frame knit" stockings in the 18th century meant they were made on a
>> machine that was invented by Reverend Lee in the 16thC. There is a
>> small item that may have been used as a frame to knit purses, but no
>> evidence yet on peg frames being used for stockings.
>>
>> -Carol
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