British Wool Week: Supporting Through Shopping!

If there's one thing I've learned from supporting and learning about campaigns on all sorts of issues over the years, from buying free range chickens to giving to charity, it's that you've got to make it easy for people to get involved, and you've got to give them quick and simple access to the information they need to do so. 

It's simple. The Campaign for Wool wants us to buy wool products and help support small businesses and local farmers in the process. It's British Wool Week, I think it's a great cause and this struggling economy is affecting us all, so I've done some homework to help make it easier for you to buy British wool. 

First off, British wool products...

 

This super chunky British wool cowl comes in a choice of 9 colours. Want one! £20.00

This sheep tea cosy kit contains everything you need to make this charming chap, with 100% Welsh wool. Its design is inspired by the Ryeland and Dorset sheep on Helen Ingram's Pembrokeshire farm. £16.95.

British wool crops up all over the world! This ring comes from the USA but is made from rare Shetland tweed from the Izzy Lane sanctuary in the Yorkshire Dales. (Izzy Lane was the winner of the RSPCA Good Business Award in 2008). £6.37. This Yorkshire lass loves it. 

Made from a combination of British and Merino wools, this highland cow hails from the Isle of Skye. £14.00

This vintage jacket looks very warm to me! £30.00

This felt hanging decoration has been made from rare-breed fleece from the Peak District National Park. Gorgeous at any time of the year, this is the certainly the only white dog I want to see on the tree at Christmas. Take note, Beatrix. £5.42.

What do sheep chat about when roaming the British hills? Fashion, of course! iPad cosy, 100% British wool - £25.00

How about this felted autumnal landscape? Made from naturally dyed English wool from the Peak District, and showing the view of Derwent Edge, not far from the home of yours truly. £63.74

And to cap it all off (sorry) here is a British wool cap! £12.00

If you're a crafter and would like to start using more British wool in your projects, here are some options for you:

• Type 'British wool' into Etsy or Folksy. You will find hundreds of listings for British fibre and spun wools, and you can browse according to your price range. 

• You can find official supporters of The Campaign for Wool here. Whether you're buying products or materials, every time you buy from these companies you'll know you're supporting the British wool trade and buying a sustainable product.

• Chat to others about knitting and crochet at Ravelry. Including me! You'll find crafters who are passionate about the materials they use.

Check out:

•  Great British Yarns .co. uk 
•  http://www.baaramewe.co.uk/
•  http://www.britishwool.com/
•  http://devonfinefibres.co.uk

If all this talk of woolliness has caught your imagination, find out about Woolfest June 2013 in Cumbria.

*Giveaway!*

It's your turn! Send in your photos of working with or wearing British wool - perhaps you're a knitter or crocheter, perhaps you have a gorgeous vintage woolly jumper, or make wonderful creations from felt. You can even enter with a photo of you buying British wool! Facebook, tweet or email [missbeatrixwrites@gmail.com] your photos in and you'll be entered into a draw for the chance to win this gorgeous needlefelted brooch!

The giveaway ends on Wednesday 24th October. You can enter as many times as you like. Each entry is assigned a number, and the lucky winner will be drawn from a woolly bobble hat. Please make sure you send a way to contact you along with your photo. Good luck!