Wensleydale Knitters

Hand-colored aquatint showing people knitting while sitting on the market cross (?), or even as they go about their daily activities, such as sheep herding. The author comments on this scene as follows:

Simplicity and industry characterize the manners and occupations of the various humble inhabitants of Wensley Dale. Their wants, it is true, are few; but to supply these, almost constant labour is required. In any business where the assistance of the hands is not necessary, they universally resort to knitting. Young and old, male and female, are all adepts in this art. Shepherds attending their flocks, men driving cattle, women going to market, are all thus industriously and doubly employed.