In 1859 William Lee, priest of Calverton parish church in Nottinghamshire invented the first knitting machine in the world. It was operated by hand and foot power. From it are descended the main types of modern knitting machines. power was first applied to an adaptation of Lee's machine in about 1845.

Prior to Lee's machine all knitting was done by hand upon knitting needles. Lee was refused a patent by Queen Elizabeth I and he went to France where he died in 1610.

After William Lee's death his brother James bought back the machines to London and Nottingham. this time the machines were successful and the use of Lees's stocking loom (as it was called) spread all over England. They were used in the Nottingham area for stockings and other knitted goods.

In 1852 Robert Widdowson who was postmaster in the small town of Hucknall and who was also a stockiner, copied a hand knitted Shetland Isles fall on his stocking machine. this was the start of the knitted shawl and scarf trade in Hucknall. the work was so fine that a 50" x 50" shawl could be pulled through a wedding ring and this is so even today.

The machines that were in adapted in 1852 were still used right up until 1966 for all production, no method could be found to make these lace shawls by power in such fine knit. In 1966 the first results of automation were successful and part of the production went on to automation. By 1970, 99% of our lace was produced automatically and today the only shawls that are produced on theold frames are for very special occasions and in such fibres as silk.

Hucknall Manufacturing was established in 1856. Mohair was first used in 1884.

Well over 90% of production is exported, either directly or through purchase by overseas tourists.

We hope you enjoy your piece of English history.