The use of knitted goods spread in Europe from the 14th century. Even the government got involved. By law, the Cappers Act of 1571 stated that everyone (except women and nobility) had to wear a cap made of wool on Sundays and holidays. The stocking frame was the first mechanical knitting machine and was invented by William Lee of Calverton, near Nottingham, in 1589. As technology developed and knitting machines became better, factories opened and the rural knitting industry b