Home working was still the industry standard for framework knitters and the resistance to factory production was strong.

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Framework knitting was traditionally carried out in workers' homes. Hosiers supplied yarn to the workers, children commonly wound the yarn onto bobbins, men knitted it into stockings and women seamed and embroidered the stockings. The industry could keep the whole family occupied.

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During the early nineteenth century, framesmiths began to make discoveries that paved the way for steam power to be applied to knitting technology.

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The development of steam-powered knitting machines encouraged firms to invest in new machinery and buildings to house these large machines.

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Growth in the number of factory workers across Britain during the nineteenth century raised awareness of factory conditions.

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Women played an important role from the earliest days of the knitting industry. While men operated the frames, women performed other tasks related to the knitting process.

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Since the fifteenth century patents have been granted to encourage inventors to make new discoveries. The award of a patent provides the inventor with legal protection against others copying the idea within the kingdom.

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Trade unions made an early appearance in the hosiery industry. An association of framework knitters in the midland counties existed as early as the 1770s.

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