West Yorkshire Spinners was founded in 1997 in the original home of the British worsted spinning industry. The brand was established during a turbulent time that saw many spinning mills close due to the increase in yarns being imported from overseas. Because of the region’s rich history of textile manufacturing, it was the wish of our company’s founders to make sure the knowledge and passion were not lost forever. Research also showed that natural fibres were now in decline, giving way to synthetic, man-made fibres, and we saw a gap in the market for more sustainable products.
Setting up a spinning mill from the ground up was daunting, but with hard work and a determination to succeed, West Yorkshire Spinners built a strong reputation for high-quality natural-fibre yarns. By 2012, we launched our own yarn – Fleece 100% Bluefaced Leicester – to help champion British wool and its fascinating heritage. Using all our knowledge and working closely with farmers and wool merchants, we started to build a range of unique and innovative products that showcased what could be achieved by blending British wool and manufacturing ingenuity.
Our products are spun right here in the Aire Valley, West Yorkshire, and, as a family-run business, we draw upon generations of experience and knowledge, working with a skilled team in our UK mill. From our origins in an old Victorian mill in a picturesque village in Yorkshire, we have since moved our factory twice and now have fantastic modern premises. This allows us to operate more efficiently using sophisticated textile machinery that supports ever-growing demand. We develop our blends and colours in-house taking inspiration from seasonal trends, as well as shades that suit the fibre. And, for our patterns, we collaborate with many talented creators and designers who bring our yarns to life through design.
We strongly believe in supporting the British hand-knitting industry and welcome feedback from our retail partners and customers to ensure we only create the very best products for knitters and crocheters worldwide.
