Hannah and Dan Byrne of Knit Nottingham and their wall of wool

As sustainability reshapes how we dress, Nottingham’s makers are turning to their knitting needles.

Knit Nottingham on Trinity Walk is one of the shops who have seen a rise in people crafting their own clothes, making a small but meaningful shift toward slower and more mindful fashion.

New research from British Wool found that longevity is at the top of 80 per cent of Nottingham residents list when they consider buying new clothes, while 50 per cent of residents say sustainability plays a key role.

“I can make that for cheaper.”

Dan Byrne co-owner of Knit Nottingham

 

At the heart of this shift is Knit Nottingham, an independent wool shop that has become a hub for committed crafters and unsure beginners.

Husband and wife team Dan and Hannah Byrne who own Knit Nottingham said that they have seen a considerable shift in people looking to start creating their own clothes.

Dan, 37, said: “People usually associate knitting with mammies but we are seeing more and more young people coming in and wanting to create items.”

The well-loved knitting shop also prides itself on supplying a wide range of British wools and sustainable wool options for their customers.

As well as supporting farmers, British wool is known to be renewable and biodegradable, which helps reduce the environmental impact that Knitted items can have compared to synthetic fibered wool which can release microplastics into the environment when disposed of.

Dan added: “Budgets are getting tighter, when you see a jumper for £95 you can think, I can make that for cheaper.”

For an experienced knitter, it can take approximately 20 to 40 hours to knit a full adult sized jumper.

Hannah, 34, added: “And it takes you on a journey, knitting a jumper is like a time capsule of moments in your life that you are going through while you are making”.

Handmade Knitted jumper displayed with pride in Knit Nottingham’s shopfront.

Studies show that 92 per cent of knitters say that it helps improve their moods, while 70 per cent said that it helps them relax.

The co-owners said that after the pandemic finished, people still kept up with their lockdown hobbies and continue to be frequent flyers at the shop.

For many in Nottingham, a knitted jumper isn’t just a garment, it is a symbol of care and conscious living.

  • The UK fashion industry generates approximately 206,456 tonnes of textile waste per year.
  • The average British person spends £1260 on apparel per year.
  • Generally knitted items such as jumpers can last anywhere from 10-15 years but can last a lifetime.