Organisations and Associations
The knitting industry, like many other industries, developed a range of organisations and associations to support its companies and workers.
Read details of the associations that brought employers together to organise and regulate the trade as well as the unions that fought on behalf of the workers for better conditions. Improvements in the industry were also brought about by the various research bodies and training organisations that supported the industry.
The mid-nineteenth century saw a period of prosperity in the knitting industry. Framework knitters were in demand and they were, therefore, able to lobby for higher wages.
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There were a number of organisations set up in the East Midlands specifically to support the local industry.
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The national trade/employers’ organisation for the UK knitting industries.
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The National Union of Hosiery Workers was founded on 1 January 1945 as the result of a merger between the five Midlands hosiery unions (Leicester, Hinckley, Nottingham, Ilkeston, Loughborough).
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Gravenor Henson, a Nottingham point net knitter, formed the Union Society of Framework Knitters in 1812.
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After the death of William Lee in France around 1614, his brother and workmen returned to London to set up a framework knitting industry there.
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