OUR HERITAGE
The world's finest knitwear, made in England since 1784.
A Brief History of Knitting
Throughout the history of textiles, few crafts have endured quite like knitting. Whenever we encounter knitted garments in shops or see someone speed-knitting on social media, it's easy to forget that its legacy can be traced back many hundereds of years.
The History of the Cardigan
Who do you think of when you picture a cardigan? Perhaps it’s Kurt Cobain’s baggy button-ups that became synonymous with Nineties grunge. Or maybe it’s Coco Chanel, who proffered cropped versions in the Twenties alongside her proposition that women could, and should, wear pants.
The History of Knitwear
It’s hard to imagine life without knitwear. From blankets that drape decoratively across our sofas to chunky-knit socks we wear at home instead of slippers, to bobble hats and sweaters that see us through cold winters and lightweight cardigans that ward off the springtime chill — in this day and age, there really is a knit for any eventuality, no matter the tone or temperature.
How to Book a Factory Tour
The John Smedley Archive Charitable Trust and John Smedley Ltd are working together to offer a limited number of guided, factory tours each month. Tours are very popular and are booked well in advance.
The John Smedley Archive Charitable Trust
The Archive initiative began in late 2009, following the company’s celebrations for the 225th anniversary of textile production at Lea Bridge
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