The creative UK firms specialising in textile craft products
12/03/2020
The UK boasts an impressive array of companies offering creative handicraft and hobby supplies, which is a significant and growing area within the wider textile industry.
These firms offer an abundance of quality products for sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery and handicrafts, ranging from yarns for knitting and haberdashery, knitting needles, craft kits and quilting materials. These products are experiencing increasing demand in the UK and overseas, as the textile handicraft market continues to grow.
Craft skills (which include knit and crochet) contribute £3.4 billion to the UK economy, according to research that measures the economic impact of thousands of small craft businesses in the UK reported by the Crafts Council.
Find out more about some of the key UK companies below
Bothy Threads
Bothy Threads has an exciting range of counted cross stitch, blackwork and tapestry kits. They offer a varied and contemporary range and have just launched additions to their Wrendale, Margaret Sherry, Bebunni, Elly and Beryl Cook collections, and new ‘Blooms’ flower designs based on Japanese woodblock prints.
James C Brett
James C Brett are manufacturers and wholesalers of a wide variety of classical and fashion yarns, supported by modern up-to-date designs. A long established family company, James C Brett have over 50 years’ experience in supplying the UK and numerous export markets.
Dannells / Needcraft
Dannells manufacture a range of craft kits that can be used with fabrics, textiles and papers to make creative products for around the home. Kits include lampshades, table lamps, floor lamps, lanterns, clocks and bins. Dannells supply products for retailers, wholesalers, distributors, workshops, manufacturers and educational establishments.
erika knight
erika knight has created a yarn collection to support the British heritage of textile mills and to promote native sheep breeds. From fleece to finished yarn in less than 50 miles, NEW 4ply weight yarn, ‘Wool Local’, is both authentically British and environmentally sustainable.
Hawthorn Handmade
Hawthorn Handmade create contemporary craft kits for beginners and beyond. Needle Felting, Embroidery, Weaving and Cross Stitch kits (new for 2020!) come with the highest quality contents and detailed instructions to help you get creative and make beautiful things.
HiyaHiya Europe
HiyaHiya Europe is the exclusive European wholesaler of HiyaHiya knitting needles, crochet hooks and accessories. Innovative design and impeccable quality have led to HiyaHiya becoming the brand of choice for professionals and hobby crafters alike, with a comprehensive range that ensures flexibility and diversity for all imaginations. Plus, with a life-time guarantee on all knitting needles, knitters will never need another needle. Visit the company’s website to see the HiyaHiya’s range of knitting and crochet products, with a friendly team of knitting experts ready to answer any of your questions.
King Cole
King Cole are a UK family business with a passion for yarn. As a world-leading brand in the supply of yarn, supporting design & haberdashery, King Cole exports to over 40 countries worldwide with a range of more than 100 yarns, both classic and fancy. Each yarn is supported with designs in every shade, and with well-received patterns for babies, children and adults, as well as accessories, toys and novelties. King Cole pride themselves on keeping the range fresh, providing good customer service and fast, reliable deliveries.
Korbond
Since the introduction of the business over 60 years ago, Korbond has worked with many major retailers across the UK and Europe to establish a complete range of haberdashery, sewing and clothes care products under the signature Korbond Care and Repair brand. Korbond are actively seeking stockists for their products. Whether you are a wholesaler, distributor or retailer, Korbond have experienced representatives who can discuss with you their flexible approach to tailored product selection, merchandising and retail support.
Laxtons
All Laxtons’ yarns are produced in the company’s manufacturing plant based in Yorkshire, England. In addition to offering a stock-supported range of undyed yarns for hand dyeing (spun predominantly from wool and other natural fibres) a large part of Laxtons’ business is as a bespoke manufacturer of hand knitting yarns for private label/ own brand. Offering a comprehensive service of concept through to finished product, the company’s flexibility and experience means it can work with customers large or small, from new start-ups to established global brands.
Rooster Yarns
A wholesale natural fibre yarn company providing high quality undyed yarns to hand dyers, retailers and knitwear manufacturers worldwide. Rooster undyed yarns are handpicked using the finest natural fibres and perfect for hand dyers. The firm has a wide selection of yarns using fibres including merino, alpaca, cotton, silk, yak and cashmere in a range of weights from fine lace yarns to chunky yarns. This extensive range is supported with rapid delivery times and excellent customer service.
The Fibre Co
For knitters who want wearable, well-fitting handknits, The Fibre Co.’s luxury yarns and designer patterns help knitters choose the perfect pairing so that they end up with a project they are proud of. The Fibre Co. is launching new yarns and several new designs this season.
Visage Textiles & The Craft Cotton Co
The Craft Cotton Company are the UK’s leading supplier of fabric for quilting, craft and patchwork and are celebrating over 70 years in business. The company offers a range of quilt collections, organic jersey and ranges of fantastic new licensed designs, including Harry Potter, Miffy, Peter Rabbit, Matilda & The Gruffalo! There is an extensive range of pre-cut fabrics. New distributors are welcome.
West Yorkshire Spinners
Situated in the original home of the British worsted spinning industry, West Yorkshire Spinners combine the finest raw materials with state-of-the-art technology, generations of expertise and unrivalled know-how to create British hand knitting yarns of exceptional quality.
Yarnundyed
Yarnundyed focus on producing and supplying luxurious natural fibre yarns for hand dyers worldwide. They have a wide range of ethically sourced bases (Merino, Polwarth, BFL, silk, alpaca, cashmere, yak, linen, cotton) in weights from lace to chunky.
Further companies in this sector include:
- A Yarn Story/Octagon Distribution octagondistribution.co.uk
- Adjustoform Products Ltd adjustoform.com
- Chester Wool Company chesterwool.com
- Entaco Ltd entaco.com
- Fyberspates Ltd fyberspates.com
- Groves Ltd (c/o HTL) grovesltd.com
- Concord Fabrics UK makoweruk.com
- Merchant & Mills Ltd merchantandmills.com
For further information please contact textiles@ukft.org