looking for British/Irish knitwear site, good designs, not cashmere

[vesela]

I've been scouring British/Irish knitwear sites for something long and chunky/grey/oatmealy, all wool, in a good design. A lot of the traditional makers only have traditional designs, i.e. with waistbands, and I'm looking for something to go with tunics/skirts etc. Ideally something more interesting than a belted cardi-coat - I like the bottom of this, but the sleeves are too restricting.

I like the shape of this from Brora, but don't want cashmere - I'm willing to spend about 100-130 but not to fork out for cashmere (and would prefer a harder wool anyway).

Thanks for any recommendations!

[dexter73]

I would hardly call Toast a traditional site - it is owned by French Connection!

[vesela]

I know! btw, what do people think of their ethical policies? They claim to have them, but unless something is stamped fairtrade, I'm suspicious. Plus the fact that they're owned by French Connection, whose credentials seem worse than some of the other high street shops.

[vesela]

p.s. "traditional" was because NY resolution is to buy ethically-made things and these places (I mean the trad. places, not Toast) seemed a good place to look (I know the best thing is to buy nothing at all, but I don't have any long jumpers/cardigans except for a couple of huge ones that I wore when pregnant).

[purlease]

just 5% cashmere and most definitely traditional irish blarney woolen mills

[Lilymaid]

Probably not fashionable enough but Woolovers is a British firm, and some of its designs use British wool.

[vesela]

thanks, purlease! I think I can cope with that level of cashmere

[Barbsieboo]

Celtic sheepskin www.celtic-sheepskin.co.uk had some lovely knitwear before xmas

[LetThemEatCake]

long, grey, not belted, 100% wool

I have this

have worn it to death

not quite with you on the 'traditional' front

[vesela]

Thanks for the suggestions - good stuff to bookmark. Celtic Sheepskin have some nice things.

LTEC, I nearly nearly nearly bought that the other day but balked at the final gate at IO's 24.99 euro flat rate delivery charge for my neck of the woods (EU but not eurozone). Even Toast's flat rate is 15 quid and others do it for 6-10.

It's gorgeous, though - I can see you must get a lot of wear out of it.

In the end I discovered there was a small fair trade shop (prob. only one in the city) not far from DD's preschool, went to investigate and bought a Komodo long black wool cardi (belted, but a closeish fit) and chunky grey wool empire-line tunic, both half price.

So I'm very happy and am now On the Wagon and signing up to the UIU thread (until I need a summer dress).