Links
To make things easier for our customers, we’ve split these into four categories. Those listed as Our Customers and Partners are mostly reciprocal links, meaning that NFC is also listed on their website. There are more links on the Blacker Yarns site which includes a list of places where our yarn is stocked.
Services
All about alpacas: stud services, auctions and the place where those wanting to sell animals are matched with buyers
This is the name of the small-scale worsted spinners based at Horsham in East Sussex
An on-line market place for farmers, smallholders and rural businesses
Well balanced shears made in Greece, but in the Japanese style. Now available in the UK. Contact Claire Tinker on 01458 850 066
A free database designed to bring together farmers looking for grazing with those with land which might be suitable
Trade Associations
Trade association dedicated to the preservation and improvement of craftsmanship
Dedicated to the welfare of alpacas and the education of their owners and breeders.
Formed in 1981 to further the development of angora goats in the UK
All about coloured sheep, that is those that are not white which means hues ranging from dark brown to cream and black to silver grey
How to look after goats, improve breeding and safeguard against cruelty
Where to find out more about this great breed of friendly, inquisitive and attractive sheep that produce superb fleeces
Find out about the central marketing system that operates in Britain with the aim of achieving the best possible net returns for farmers
Since its formation in 1997, this ecological association has built up an international network of individual certification organisations
A UK-based, non-profit organisation run voluntarily by machine knitters aiming to increase awareness of their craft in both the UK and abroad
Formed in 1979 to foster an international interest in felt, to promote its members' work and to further the exchange of knowledge and ideas
An international body representing the world's wool textile trade and industry. A good source for standards, research and statistics
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
A specialist organisation safeguarding the interests and future of UK sheep farmers
One of the UK's leading organic certification bodies involved with the inspection and licensing of organic farming and food
The UK charity that promotes sustainable, organic farming and whose organic trademark is the most well-known
Although this site will tell you more about silk, the society exists to advise on a life free of animal products for, it says, the benefit of people, animals and the planet
Our Customers and Partners
This traditional business was established in 1938 and is still going strong, producing a wide range of goods using wool, alpaca and mohair for its own shop and outside customers. To see a video of a handloom in action, follow the link and click on History
Claims to be the only organisation in the world that grades, collects, sells and promotes wool. Based in Bradford, it operates a centralised marketing system for wool. The UK's only remaining agricultural commodity board
Kick started by Prince Charles to preserve traditional upland farms and rural communities in Wales. In addition to promoting local produce like wool, lamb and chocolate, the initiative also acknowledges local hotels, restaurants and attractions that promote the area’s economy and environment
Launched in 2010 with support from Prince Charles, the camapign aims to promote the qualities of wool internationally. As well as the UK it has also been launched in Australia, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Norway and Japan
This independent working family mill, 11 miles north of Cardigan between Llangranog and Newcastle Emlyn, specialises in producing Welsh woollen products including fabric, travel rugs, throws, blankets, bedspreads, shawls, ties, garments, curtains and upholstery. Free Admission. They are also organically accredited for their weaving, so The Natural Fibre Company organic customers are able to get their weaving done organically as well.
This traditional livestock farm on the top of Somerset's Mendip Hills sells freshly-shorn Shetland fleeces, coloured Romney-Shetland crosses and the pure white Mendip Smashem. Lambs wool is sold by the kilogram and is available on cone, hank or balls
With a flock of 160, Fowlescombe is now one of the largest breeders of the rare Manx Loaghtan sheep. This mixed organic farm of around 472 acres is the central part of what was once an important medieval estate in Devon's South Hams, just south of Dartmoor
This small organic farm in the Wiltshire countryside specialises in the rare breed Manx Loaghtan. It also operates an on-line farm shop which sells sheepskin rugs, wool and clothes made from their flock's fleece
The mill at Dre-fach Felindre on Teifiside was chosen by the National Museum of Wales to house the Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry. The area has been the centre of the Welsh woollen trade since the 19th century, and Melin Teifi still produces the familiar garments traditionally worn by Welsh workmen
West Yorkshire dye house that operates dye vessels covering weights from 1Kg to 350Kg electronically controlled for colour consistency. It dyes yarn both on package and in hank and offers a garment and sock scouring and dyeing service
This Munich-based company produces organic yarn from Merino and rare-breed sheep for knitting and crocheting.The yarns, from endangered sheep breeds, are soft, machine washable, guaranteed not scratchy and can be traced back to the flock
Working continuously since 1907, this is the oldest working mill in Pembrokeshire and can be found a mile along the valley from Solva. It specialises in rugs and runners made of 100% British wool which can be bought on-line or by visiting the mill
This company celebrates the diversity of fleeces from rare and native British sheep breeds and believes that raw and washed fleece, natural and dyed carded batts, spun yarns and woven fabrics all reflect the fleece qualities developed over centuries in response to the habitat of each breed. Small and large orders welcomed.
Produces yarns made in Britain from the fleeces of alpacas farmed in the UK. They buy fleece from alpaca owners, hand grade it at their farm in Devon and process it into fully worsted hand knit and commercial yarns
If you're looking for something woolly and can't find it, this is the site to visit. World of Wool is an on-line supplier of fibres to craft enthusiasts worldwide with a selection of wool for felting and wool for spinning
Information
This mobile demonstraton of sheep sheering is packed into a 45 ft articulated truck and can be booked for agricultural shows, school visits and childrens' parties. Contact them by telephone on 01234 841 954 or 07989 450 307, or by emailing: mail@sheersheep.co.uk
There's plenty of information on this website that started in 2003, a useful forum and a list of courses if you've ended up as a smallholder and aren't quite sure what you're doing! Based at Carnoustie in the County of Angus on the east coast of Scotland
This link takes you to the pages about different fibres
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