Here are a few useful sites for further information – see our separate Stockists page for getting your hands on!
Woolsack
Run on a voluntary basis by wool enthusiast Jane Cooper, this site began as a Cultural Olympiad Inspire project that successfully made British wool cushions as personal welcome gifts for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic athletes. It has moved on to become an expanded library that lists and links everything and anything to do with British wool.
Wovember
A great source of information specifically related to woolly things – with significant annual themes and an excellent archive. Wovember is active during November each year and is run entirely by volunteer wool enthusiasts, with particular interest in British breeds sheep and the whole chain from flock to finished items.
Knitting & Crochet Guild of Great Britain
A national charity that has helped preserve and promote crochet, hand and machine knitting since its formation in 1978. Publishes a quarterly journal called SlipKnot and has a really excellent website with huge amounts of good reference material.
Knit for Peace
Blacker Yarns’ sister company The Natural Fibre Company donates spare and waste wool to this wonderful charity which does great work to both teach skills and provide comfort and warmth to needy people.
British Wool
Find out about the central marketing system that operates in Britain with the aim of achieving the best possible net returns for farmers.
International Wool Textile Organisation
An international body representing the world’s wool textile trade and industry. A good source for standards, research and statistics.
The Soil Association
The UK charity that promotes sustainable, organic farming and whose organic trademark is the most well-known.
UK Hand Knitting Association
A useful site to visit for all things relating to hand knitting and crochet.
Wikipedia
This link takes you to the pages about different fibres. This one features silk while this page is the Wiki entry for The Natural Fibre Company.
Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers
Trade association dedicated to the preservation and improvement of craftsmanship.
Guild of Machine Knitters
A UK-based, non-profit organisation run voluntarily by machine knitters aiming to increase awareness of their craft in both the UK and abroad.
International Felt Makers Association
Formed in 1979 to foster an international interest in felt, to promote it members’ work and to further the exchange of knowledge and ideas.