Wool Journey: 7 Nights of British Textile Exploration

Begin your journey with London’s most iconic yarn shops

• Loop (near Angel Station)
  • Warm and welcoming with a touch of bohemian artistry, Loop is filled with hand-dyed yarns and natural fibers. More than just a yarn shop, it’s also a hub for community gatherings and creative inspiration, regularly hosting workshops and designer meet-and-greets.
  • Camden Passage Antique Street: a charming alley with antique shops and handmade treasures, full of old-London charm.
  • Regent’s Canal Walk: stroll along the canal toward King’s Cross.

  • Upper Street: a lively area lined with independent boutiques and cafés, perfect for a half-day urban escape.

     

• Wild and Woolly (East London)
  • A great spot to discover independent British yarn brands such as Garthenor, John Arbon Textiles, and &Daughter. The shop also hosts a weekly Knit Night, where visitors can knit and chat—an excellent option for short-term travelers looking to join a workshop or book private instruction (reservation required).
  • Hackney Downs Park: a green oasis in the city, with a local market on weekends.

  • Chatsworth Road Market: a vibrant neighborhood market held every Sunday.

     

• Beautiful Knitters (Pimlico)

  • Specializing in luxurious hand-dyed wools and exclusive brand collections, this shop exudes a warm and friendly atmosphere. Its location makes it easy to combine a visit with nearby cultural gems like Tate Britain or the elegant Chelsea Physic Garden.

     

    

    

     

Highlight: Head to Yorkshire, one of the UK’s key textile hubs

• Yarn Shops
  • Bellwether Yarns: A curated shop focusing on natural fibers and plant-dyed yarns, emphasizing sustainability and local sourcing.

  • Ewe Neek Crafts: A hybrid store offering yarn alongside various craft materials, ideal for travelers who enjoy mixed-media projects.

     

• Craft Workshop

  • Sunny Bank Mills (Farsley): Originally a 19th-century worsted cloth mill, it has been transformed into a cultural complex featuring designer studios, galleries, shops, and a café. Easily accessible by foot or a short bus ride from Leeds city center.

     

• Special Accommodation
  • Woodlands Hotel: Built in 1871 by a textile entrepreneur, this grand house has been converted into a boutique hotel. The public areas are cozy and stylishly designed. Located 10–15 minutes by car from the city center, with most guests using taxis or driving to reach downtown Leeds.

Morning: Take a quick train to York for a day trip, exploring medieval architecture and experiencing classic British life. Visit local independent yarn shops and boutique stores before returning to Leeds in the evening.

• Yarn Shops
  • Søstrene Grene: A Danish chain known for its minimalist Scandinavian style and affordable prices. The store offers home goods, décor, and a dedicated creative crafts section.

  • Duttons For Buttons: A historic independent shop in York, dating back to 1906, located in a medieval building from 1422. Famous for its collection of over 10,000 buttons, it is said to have the largest selection of buttons in the UK.

     

• Related Exhibitions
  • Leeds Wool Festival: A wool-themed event in Leeds, usually held in June. In addition to a yarn market, the festival highlights the history and industrial background of wool, offering a deeper understanding of the craft.
  • Yorkshire Yarn Fest: Held annually in the autumn and winter near Flaxton, about 8 miles northeast of York. This two-day event attracts numerous yarn enthusiasts and features hand-dyed yarn vendors, fiber artists, and craft sellers. Workshops and evening craft gatherings are also part of the program.
  • Yarndale: A large and popular yarn festival in North Yorkshire, located in Skipton. Although outside Leeds and York, it is easily accessible by train (~1.5 hours) and is highly recommended for serious yarn lovers.

Exploring Scotland’s Capital and Its Knitting Culture

• Yarn Shops
  • Ginger Twist Studio: This charming shop offers a wide range of yarns from various brands and is especially known for its owner’s hand-dyed collection, Ginger’s Hand Dyed. In addition to yarn, you’ll also find sewing fabrics, pattern books, and accessories, along with regular workshops.
  • Kathy’s Knits: A cozy knitting store dedicated to high-quality British yarns. Owner Kathy, who grew up in the Shetland Islands, brings her lifelong passion for yarn into every aspect of the shop.

  • Be Inspired Fibres: Specializing in luxurious, hand-dyed, and unique yarns sourced from around the world, this shop is a must for knitters seeking distinctive textures and colors.

     

• Museum Recommendation

  • Dovecot Studios: A world-renowned center for contemporary art, craft, and design. Still an active tapestry weaving studio, visitors can watch weavers at work from the viewing gallery. From July 18, 2025, to January 17, 2026, Dovecot will host Magical Patterns, a touring exhibition from the IKEA Museum showcasing six decades of iconic fabric designs.

     

• Unique Accommodation
  • New Lanark Mill Hotel (also available as a day trip): A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic hotel is housed in an 18th-century cotton mill, steeped in textile history. From Edinburgh, take the train to Lanark Station (approx. 1 hr 35 min), then walk about 10 minutes from Lanark town center to reach New Lanark. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, and spa—perfect for an immersive stay in a historic setting.

Don’t forget to visit one of Edinburgh’s classic sightseeing spots—Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat—for sweeping views of the city and a breath of nature’s tranquility. Depending on your travel dates, you may also catch special seasonal exhibitions. Alternatively, a day trip to Glasgow is highly recommended.

• Yarn Shops

  • The Yarn Cake: A delightful blend of café and yarn shop. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake while you knit, making it a relaxing social space and a great place to meet fellow yarn enthusiasts.

     

• Related Exhibitions
  • The Woolly Good Gathering: Edinburgh’s main yarn festival, bringing together lovers of knitting, crochet, spinning, hand-dyed yarns, and fiber crafts of all kinds.

  • The Scottish Yarn Festival (Perth): Although not in Edinburgh, Perth is not far away and hosts Scotland’s largest and longest-running modern yarn festival. Dates: August 30–31, 2025.

     

    

Aberdeen known as the “Granite City,” Aberdeen is a historic harbor town. Notable attractions include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, the seaside promenade, and the city’s ancient university quarter.

• Yarn Shops
  • Wool for Ewe: A popular local yarn store run by a mother-and-daughter team, offering a wide variety of yarns and supplies.

  • On the way from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, you may also choose to stop in Dundee.

     

• Nearby Recommendations
  • V&A Dundee: An architectural landmark designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, inspired by the cliffs of Scotland’s east coast. Shaped like a massive sculpture on the banks of the River Tay, it showcases exhibitions spanning fashion, architecture, textiles, and more.

  • Verdant Works Museum: Once a working jute mill, now transformed into a museum and hailed as “Scotland’s most remarkable industrial heritage site.” Located in the city center, it’s just a 15-minute walk from V&A Dundee

     

• Unique Accommodation
  • Hotel Indigo (Dundee): Housed in a converted 19th-century jute mill, the hotel retains many original architectural features such as exposed brick walls and industrial-style design. Staying here offers an authentic experience of Dundee’s rich textile heritage.

A journey to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands is nothing short of a pilgrimage for yarn lovers. While this trip requires careful planning due to its remote location, it is absolutely worth the effort. Please note: this extension is not included in the main itinerary. For add-on arrangements, kindly contact your travel consultant.

• How to Get There
  • By ferry: Take the overnight ferry with NorthLink Ferries (approx. 12–14 hours). The vessel is well-equipped with cabins, a restaurant, and a bar. Sleep on board and wake up in Lerwick the next morning.

  • By air: From Aberdeen Airport (ABZ), you can fly with Loganair to Sumburgh Airport (LSI) on Shetland. Flight time is about 1 hour.

     

• Highlights for Yarn Enthusiasts
  • Jamieson & Smith: An unmissable destination, world-famous for its Shetland wool. As one of the most important suppliers globally, it specializes in wool used for traditional Fair Isle knitting, offering a wide selection of natural and dyed shades. Located on the outskirts of Lerwick.
  • Jamieson’s of Shetland: A separate company from Jamieson & Smith, equally iconic in the Shetland wool world. Known for producing high-quality yarns and knitwear—especially the beloved Spindrift line. There is a shop in Lerwick.
  • Shetland Textile Museum: Dedicated to the history of Shetland’s textile heritage, this museum offers valuable insight into the islands’ rich knitting culture. Located in central Lerwick.

  • Ninian: A knitwear shop and studio founded by local designers. Here, traditional techniques meet contemporary design, resulting in modern and distinctive knitwear. Located in the heart of Lerwick.

     

• Seasonal Event
  • Shetland Wool Week: The ultimate celebration for yarn enthusiasts, held annually in autumn. This global gathering attracts knitters, designers, and fiber lovers from around the world. Advance booking of flights or ferries, as well as accommodation, is essential.

Heading North into the Scenic Highlands and the Heart of Textiles
Inverness offers a tranquil atmosphere and a cultural backdrop rooted in Scotland’s wool heritage. This journey goes beyond the typical “London and Edinburgh” image of the UK, revealing the hidden beauty of the Highlands.

• Yarn Shop

  • Nairn Wool Shop : Located in the seaside town of Nairn, just outside Inverness, this charming local yarn store is highly recommended. It’s the perfect place to discover unique yarns and fresh knitting inspiration.

     

• Museums
  • Highland Folk Museum : This museum vividly recreates the life of early Highland residents and their textile traditions. Visitors can see authentic looms and traditional weaving techniques, gaining insight into the essential role of wool in everyday life. Situated in Newtonmore, it’s an ideal destination for a half-day trip.
  • Knockando Woolmill : Set in the Speyside region, about 1.5 hours by car from Inverness, this historic wool mill is more than just a museum—it is still fully operational, producing high-quality textiles using traditional methods. Guided tours are available, making it a must-visit for those seeking a deeper understanding of Scotland’s woolen heritage.

The UK’s Most Iconic Yarn Festivals
From London to the Scottish Highlands, the UK offers a wide variety of yarn events—perfect for enthusiasts planning a wool-inspired journey.

• Spring (February–April)
  • Unravel Festival (Farnham, near London) – Mid-February. One of Europe’s most renowned yarn and knitting festivals, held annually in Farnham just outside London.
  • The Stitch Festival (London, BDC) – Late March. A cross-disciplinary craft fair in London featuring knitting, embroidery, dyeing, quilting, and a wide range of fiber arts.
  • Waltham Abbey Wool Show (Waltham Abbey) – Early spring. A wool market and craft show held near London.

  • Woolly Good Gathering (Edinburgh) – April. Launched in 2024, this community-based craft festival focuses on knitting, dyeing, and textile traditions in a more intimate setting.

     

• Summer (August–Early September)
  • The Scottish Yarn Festival (Perth, Perthshire, Scotland) – Late August. Scotland’s largest contemporary yarn festival, bringing together leading names in the fiber world.
  • North East Wool Show (Newcastle) – Mid-August. A vibrant gathering of northern England’s yarn suppliers, wool producers, and knitwear designers, showcasing unique local brands.
  • Southern Wool Show (Newbury, near London) – Late August. A major wool and knitting festival held in Newbury, featuring a wide range of exhibitors.

  • Leeds Wool Festival (Leeds) – Summer. A lively event offering high-quality yarns and knitting accessories from across the UK, ideal for stocking up on supplies.

     

• Autumn (September–October)
  • Highland Wool Fest (Strathpeffer Pavilion, Ross-shire, Scotland) – Late September. A regional festival celebrating Highland wool and local design.
  • Shetland Wool Week (Shetland Islands) – Late September to early October. A week-long global pilgrimage for knitting lovers, featuring yarn markets, workshops, mill tours, and open farm visits.