Gods, kvinnor och stickning : tidigindustriell verksamhet i Höks härad i södra Halland ca 1750–1870

The aim of this dissertation has been to examine the growth, development, and organisation of the knitting industry in southern Halland during early modern times. This proto-industrial enterprise was conducted primarily via a putting-out system in the goods districts. Wallen's estate in Våxtorp parish played an active role in the enterprise already from an early stage. During the latter half of the eighteenth century, putting-out entrepreneurs from Laholm organised the knitting industry, while during the nineteenth century rural putting-out entrepreneurs increasingly took over the enterprise. What scope did the knitting industry have? What did their commercial network look like? How was the knitting industry organised and how did its organisation change over time? Who requested knitted goods? How were the goods distributed? In this dissertation, I attempt to address these and other questions. During the latter half of the eighteenth century, the success of the knitting industry was directly connected to the state's need for stockings for the military during times of war and unrest. However, during the nineteenth century knitted wool garments went chiefly to the civilian market. My theoretical point of departure has been the theories of proto-industrialisation developed by Mendel and others, as well as modifications of elements in the theories by more recent scholars.