Sector reading list · Updated October 2026
Hand-picked articles and resources from respected UK sources on hosiery, knitwear, textiles and sewing. Summaries are ours; follow the links for the full stories.
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The UK Fashion & Textile Association’s page for the April 2026 showcase of UK manufacturers, knitters, dyers and trim suppliers.
Read at source →De Montfort UniversityDMU’s report from the Leicester Made day, on support and collaboration for local factories.
Read at source →Knitting IndustryTrade news on knitting machinery, yarns and knitwear manufacturing, including Leicestershire firms.
Read at source →Leicester City Council’s history of the city’s hosiery and knitwear trade, including Wolsey.
Read at source →Story of LeicesterThe rise of one of Britain’s largest hosiery factories.
Read at source →Knitting TogetherHistories of the East Midlands knitting firms, from Corah to Wolsey.
Read at source →University of LeicesterOral histories from people who worked in the East Midlands hosiery trade.
Read at source →English Local HistoryDave Fogg Postles on framework knitting communities, c.1600 to c.1850.
Read at source →Nottinghamshire HERHow William Lee’s 1589 invention started an industry.
Read at source →The show formerly known as The Knitting & Stitching Show. Harrogate follows in November.
Read at source →RuddingtonWorking frames and the story of the knitters, in Nottinghamshire.
Read at source →Visit LeicesterA master hosier’s house and frame shop, preserved near Leicester.
Read at source →Simply SewingEverything about the BBC sewing competition that inspired a new generation.
Read at source →We link to original reporting and archives rather than copying them. Summaries are written by UK SEW. For our own articles, see the UK SEW journal, and for Leicester’s story, Leicester’s hosiery heritage.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
Framework knitting, Corah, Wolsey and the knitwear firms still making in Leicester.
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Socks, tights, denier, fibres and care, plus Leicester’s hosiery trade.
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The April 2026 showcase for UK textile manufacturing at DMU.
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Dates, what to expect and buying tips for the November show.
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