As the temperature drops, you might be ready to hunt out your warmest clothes. Considering that there are 30 times more sheep than people in the Yorkshire Dales, you probably won't be surprised to hear me recommending wool as the best way to keep warm. It works pretty well for the 600,000 sheep living here on exposed uplands.
A good starting point to explore how wool is used and to buy handmade woollen goods is to go to Farfield Mill in Sedbergh where you'll find lovely Laura's Loom. I first bought one of Laura's rugs several years ago and it's still saving me a fortune in heating bills and looking beautiful. Textile lovers will enjoy browsing around Farfield Mill in Sedbergh where you can see huge looms, learn about the Terrible Knitters of Dent and see the work of the artists and makers who're based at the Mill. There are changing exhibitions so there’s always something new to see. There are more wool creations at Craftworkshop in Sedbergh.
Swaledale Woollens in Muker, was founded over 30 years ago by villages who wanted to revive the old cottage industry of knitting. They still use local Swaledale and Wensleydale wool for their knitwear.
Glencroft in gorgeous Clapham are also well worth a visit, and if you're a keen knitter then you really should go to Beckside Yarns, one of the Dales' largest wool shops stocking Noro, Debbie Bliss, Araucania, Mirasol, Rowan, Amano yarns.
A good starting point to explore how wool is used and to buy handmade woollen goods is to go to Farfield Mill in Sedbergh where you'll find lovely Laura's Loom. I first bought one of Laura's rugs several years ago and it's still saving me a fortune in heating bills and looking beautiful. Textile lovers will enjoy browsing around Farfield Mill in Sedbergh where you can see huge looms, learn about the Terrible Knitters of Dent and see the work of the artists and makers who're based at the Mill. There are changing exhibitions so there’s always something new to see. There are more wool creations at Craftworkshop in Sedbergh.
Swaledale Woollens in Muker, was founded over 30 years ago by villages who wanted to revive the old cottage industry of knitting. They still use local Swaledale and Wensleydale wool for their knitwear.
Glencroft in gorgeous Clapham are also well worth a visit, and if you're a keen knitter then you really should go to Beckside Yarns, one of the Dales' largest wool shops stocking Noro, Debbie Bliss, Araucania, Mirasol, Rowan, Amano yarns.
Wensleydale Longwool in Leyburn is a small but splendid shop with some very lustrous wool, with the kind of texture that you just want to reach out and squeeze, just for the pleasure of holding the wool in your hand. As the name implies, they spin and dye rare breed Wensleydale wool in 4-ply.
In Skipton (the name means 'sheep town'!) you'll find Purl & Jane where Jane is absolutely passionate about wool, the seventh generation of her family to be involved in the yarn industry. She is particularly keen to promote wool spun locally by West Yorkshire Spinners (they also make fantastic socks!).
In Skipton (the name means 'sheep town'!) you'll find Purl & Jane where Jane is absolutely passionate about wool, the seventh generation of her family to be involved in the yarn industry. She is particularly keen to promote wool spun locally by West Yorkshire Spinners (they also make fantastic socks!).
There's another great wool business at Gam Farm near Grassington where Helen and her team rear and shear Shetland, Hebridean, Boreray and Whitefaced Woodland sheep to create their own range of wool. As they say, "any more natural and the sheep would still be wearing it!".
In Settle, Sue runs Cottontail Crafts where she has a great range of craft materials and wool. You might have spotted Sue demonstrating crafts at various events and on TV.
The latest wool shop to open is Craftopia in Ingleton where Amanda has crated a very warm welcoming shop focusing on wool, knitting and crochet, with some wonderfully eye-catching and magical window displays.
In Settle, Sue runs Cottontail Crafts where she has a great range of craft materials and wool. You might have spotted Sue demonstrating crafts at various events and on TV.
The latest wool shop to open is Craftopia in Ingleton where Amanda has crated a very warm welcoming shop focusing on wool, knitting and crochet, with some wonderfully eye-catching and magical window displays.
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