Gripping yarn!

Ready to wool and roll: Jacinta and Roger in their new factory outlet

Interest soars in the knitting boom
A WOOLLEN business in Saddleworth has opened a retail outlet in the Warth Mill, Diggle — and the enterprise in already attracting interest from entrepreneurs wishing to open similar outlets.

Delph man Roger Shepley, established as a wool spinner for almost 10 years, has invested significant funds to set up woolyknit.com  — a traditional factory shop in a wholly traditional setting.

Mr Shepley, who established R W Shepley Ltd, in 2002, will offer a huge range of woollen clothing for men, women and children to complement his existing business.

During a tour of the premises, and his adjacent wool spinning business, he told me: “We are a small wool spinners selling wool yarn to knitters, weavers, sock manufacturers and others in the UK wide and abroad.

“Most of our products are made from British wool — we are a members of the British Wool Marketing Board — and we buy our wool in Bradford.

“We scour, dye and spin mostly within the UK and operate in Saddleworth.”

He said the decision to invest heavily in the factory outlet was entirely due to demand from knitting and crafting groups.

“From our factory outlet in Diggle on the banks of the Huddersfield canal we will be selling a range of British wool garments and accessories made in England, including sweaters, cardigans, socks, accessories and throws.”

Woolyknit, which will be jointly managed by Jacinta Bowie, from Uppermill, and Kath Henthorn, from Lees, will also offer everything from wool fleeces, felting fibres, hand-knitting yarns and machine knitting yarns.

Added Mr Shepley: “All the products will be from our own base raw materials, processed within the UK. The yarns are supported by our own range of patterns.”

He firmly believes that an important part of the Woolyknit philosophy will be a hands on approach to crafts. “We will be organising workshops and opening a cafe and greet area in the New year.

“Our intention is to make a visit to the shop an enjoyable experience and we intend the Knit and Natter alongside a library of vintage patterns and books available to browse to become a ‘must visit’ venue for everyone with an interest in woollen clothing.”

Saddleworth Textile Museum has supported the new venture and provided Woolyknit with images and information on the local woollen industry and heritage.

Vintage machinery, which we will be demonstrated in the outlet, has been loaned to the new business and this will be displayed alongside vintage knitting machinery acquired by Mr Shepley.

He concluded: “Already some of my wool-spinning customers in Yorkshire and Shropshire have expressed an interest in a factory outlet and this is something I am already exploring.”