Stick to your knitting

Does anyone know where the phrase "stick to your knitting" came from and what it means?? Thanks Guy Andrews
It sounds very much like a chauvinistic reprimand, such as, I will decide what will be said or done, and while you may think you have something to contribute, just "stick to your knitting." A very outdated view of man/woman related responsibilities is suggested but I have no idea of the origin.