About the project In June 2001 Leicester City Museums Service and its partners successfully gained a grant from the New Opportunities Fund to develop a website celebrating the history of the East Midlands knitting industry.  The Knitting Together…

A double cylinder sock machine ID Number: L.T9.1993

It was capable of producing the welt, the heel and the toe in one process. The toe was finished separately on a linking machine. The machine has a double cylinder and a chain control device. ID Number: L.T33.1987.2.0

This double headed (two cylinders) machine was used by Pick's for the manufacture of woollen pullovers. The control devices were manually operated to shape and pattern the garment. The machine was capable of producing plain or fancy rib fabric with…

This machine was used to knit half-hose and includes a conical rib cylinder. It was manufactured at the XL Engineering Works in Leicester. ID Number: L.T42.1926.0.0

This 'Regent' was fitted with a jacquard device for controlling garment design. The cylinder is fitted with latch needles. ID Number: L.T72.1984.0.0

A circular purl barrel machine with double ended bearded needles in horizontal double cylinders. The machine was used for making gaiters for the armed forces. ID Number: L.T117.1954.0.0

This machine has a rotating cylinder and uses latch needles to make plain seamless hosiery. ID Number: L.T213.1973.3.0

An early Komet machine with a double cylinder. The machine was fully automatic and used for the manufacture of socks. The shaping was controlled by a series of drums. ID Number: L.W58.2000.0.0

A double cylinder sock machine made in Leicester. ID Number: L.T.APS10