What we do and stand for
UK Hand Knitting is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 1940, dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting independent bricks and mortar yarn shops in the UK and striving to create a broader awareness of yarn craft.
- We directly target consumers spending decision with the support of our partners in the press, retailers and our own media platforms to visit their local yarn shop for their supplies. Retail shop subscribers are featured on our interactive map via our UK Hand Knitting website -the most prominently placed site on google for ‘finding a local yarn shop’.
- Each year we hold two nationwide campaigns to encourage crafters to visit their local yarn shop. The Great British Yarn Crawl takes place from mid-April to June and Yarnstravaganza™ at the end of September with lots of fun and prizes to be won.
- We champion the crafts of knitting and crochet across social media, celebrating creativity with lots of hints and tips for crafters. Our monthly newsletters help inform consumers about what’s new from our members as well as signposting events around the country. You can join our mailing list here.
- Our collection of over 200 patterns in both knit and crochet is available from our network of yarn shops and you can find a list here. The sale of these patterns helps fund the work we do to support and promote yarn craft.
The UK Hand Knitting Board of Directors is made up of senior representatives of UK’s leading yarn and yarn craft distributors, including:
James C Brett, Cygnet Yarns, Rico Design, Groves, King Cole, Peter Gregory, Stylecraft, Viridian Distribution and West Yorkshire Spinners