This Cotton machine has electronic controls and was one of the last models to be made. It is a straight bar knitting machine that was used for making fully-fashioned knitted outerwear. The machine is 21 gauge and uses bearded needles. ID…

Described as 'foot sox' when shown with other historic hosiery by J R Allen at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862. They probably fulfilled a triple function of protecting fine stockings from shoes, warmth and of…

The washable blue stamp reads 'Improved Patent 2 threads, 4 thds heels & feet' ID Number: DBMYU 1967-856/1A

A pair of cream stockings with cream arrowhead clocks and two horizontal red threads on the welt. The stockings are unworn, the blue stamp below the welt survives. ID Number: DBMYU 1967-856/1C

Knitted on the stocking frame these gloves were made flat and seamed at the outside of the hand and along each finger. The tops of the fingers and thumbs are gathered. The points on the back of the hand are made of lines of drop stitches or as a row…

The label which accompanied these socks to the Great Exhibition in 1851 described them as "Gaiters, Made about the year 1812, cotton spun by Mr R Arkwright". A print of 1816 shows similar socks being worn by a woman between the shoe and the…

Stockings knitted on the stocking frame in thick white cotton to demonstrate the probable quality of hose knitted on William Lee's original stocking frame of 1589. They are 12 gauge. A moderately fine stocking would be between 30 and 40…

A pair of cotton stockinet long drawers in which each leg is made in one piece fashioned to the leg and with an inside leg seam. The waist is faced with silk taffeta which has cords sloping to the centre front and fastens with five buttons and…

A sample tennis sock in white rayon plated onto cotton for strength. The heel and toe are in plain cotton. The turndown ribbed cuff has green near the edge and two bands of patterning. On the sole is printed 'Morley, Made in England, Artificial Silk…

Although William Elliot invented a fast black dye for silk in the 18th century, fast black dyes for wool and silk were not achieved until the end of the 19th century. This black wool stocking which is made on a circular machine is stamped in gold…