Welsh stockings

There is a history of stocking knitting in Wales during the 19th century where stocking knitting contributed to the domestic economy in rural Wales. Knitting of stockings in cottages in the evening was a tradition in rural Wales and called Noson Weu or in English Knitting Evening. There would be a social gathering listening to old tales, ancient songs or the harp whilst the women of Wales knit stockings.

The main areas in Wales for stocking knitting were Bala and Tregaron and large markets were held 3 times a month. In 1851 there were 176 hosiers in the area around Tregaron.

Another tradition was Gwlana Wool Gathering where groups of women would follow drovers along woollen paths known as llwybrau gwlana. The women would gather the fallen scraps of fleece from hedges and fields picking up all the valuable wool from the sheep along the way.

The Museum in Wales has a blog entry for December 2020 where you can learn more about the stocking trade in Wales. In Ammanford, Corgi Hosiery, which I visited some years ago, is so interesting where you can see the whole process of knitting luxury socks. You can see old machinery still in use today as well as buy seconds and new socks and other knitted gifts in the factory shop.

Here are some pics of tools used for knitting in the 19th century (from the Amgueddfa Cymru Blog/Museum of Wales blog, 'A Christmas Stocking Full of Welsh History about Socks). There is also a free Christmas stocking knitting pattern on the website.

Knitting needle sheaths19th Century Wales

Yarn hook

Stockings on display at the National Wool Museum