A hosekræmmer (wool salesman) refers to someone who travels the country to sell wool products.

The Danish wool salesman often originated from middle and western parts of Jutland - particularly the Herning region.

The wool salesman offered many wool products such as socks, shawls, gloves, stockings, shirts and different types of knitted underwear.

There were not always enough crops to harvest in this region because of the sandy earth and moors, but it was possible to keep animals - such as sheep. Sheep thrived in the area and were able to find enough food themselves. Therefore, sheep wool became a favourable commodity.

The wool was transformed into all of the above products and traded on to the wool salesman, who would distribute the products to different towns.

The area of Jutland was sparsely populated and the wool salesman had to plan his journeys in order to make it to the different local markets, where he could then sell the products.

Often, the salesman did business with both direct costrumers and buyers, who would re-sell the items. Some wool salesmen only travel shorter distances while others travel to far away destinations, where they could make a greater profit.

The Danish author Blicher wrote a novel called “Hosekraemmeren” (1829) in which the salesmen would travel all the way to Holsten. This was actually not unusual for young wool salesmen, who wished to gain extra money.

The wool salesman-profession terminated with the entry of the knitting machines in the 1800s. Also, the products made at the factories could now be transported using the railways, which made it possible to ship off items to customers far away.