Hand Knitting in the Yorkshire Dales

The centuries old craft of hand-knitting was widespread throughout the Yorkshire Dales, but was certainly not exclusive to it!

This knitting of woollens was an essential economic activity in the poor farming and mining communities of Britain and could be done easily during one's leaisure time... or even on the way to work or school. Initially, it was the production of woollen stockings and gloves that dominated, but over time, garments such as sweaters and cardigans were manufactured.

Today, the skill of the hand-knitting crafts has been passed down over countless generations to the current small band of hand-knitters who now specialise in the production of exclusive high quality knitwear garments for the designer fashion industry. Working with only needles, each garment produced has taken many hours of immense skill to complete. Some items are machine-made but individually also by hand - please make sure you find out how each item has been produced.

Another option is to have a go at hand-knitting your own and it is possible to buy wool, needles and patterns locally - what better way is there of helping continue an ages-old traditional craft. You might surprise yourself!

Perhaps the three best locations to find these today are in the three northern dales of Wensleydale, Dentdale and Swaledale. So why not find out a little more for yourself and visit the Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop near Leyburn or Sophies Wild Woollens in Dent.