Where to buy ….

In the run up the Christmas I am featuring local shops for local people… but not I want to quickly assure you in a league of gentlemen kind of way. No these are wonderful products for groovy people. Things made and sold by charming Huddersfield folk for your delight and delectation.

Dressing up … and  it has to be  knit wear created by our very own Ruth Walker of Snood. Her recycled jumpers are not just the bees knees ecologically speaking but are really lovely designer items in their own right.  Read on….

Want a piggy note book for  the sketcher in your life … dont we all? Get one made by local hill dwellers who roam free on the grassy slopes round Emly – sounds surreal but  the books are really nice … find out  more here

Then of course you will need a card – these are rather lovely printed on sustainable board, printed with vegetable inks and  they come in biodegradable cellophane wrappers …..click here for more

Perhaps this year you plan to be uber green and make your own presents…. yes me too (right) … so lets get knitting – how about some toasty hot water bottle covers – they are quick and easy.

Toasty toes the knitted way

Knitting your own hot water bottle cover for the cold winter to come is a great way of

a) saving on the heating bills
b) not burning your toes while doing so

and they make great presents

For knitting hot water bottle covers you will need knitting needles and wool – click here for stockists

Heres a free pattern

If you want to knit in a friendly environment you might want to join one of these knitting groups

Eco Cards

Cards  have been the bane of my life - I mean greeting cards not gambling or credit cards – thats all in the past.

Greeting cards  — there are times when you need to send them … but when you go to buy them they come wrapped in icky plasticic which I am boycotting

I love my friends but I love the planet – what to do?  I know you can send e cards but thats just mean. No cards = no mates in my shallow social circles.

So check these out from  carte postale – printed on sustainable board, printed with vegetable inks and  they come in biodegradable cellophane wrappers.

You can buy them from tamed meadow cards in Byram Arcade, Huddersfield

wild wine

Locally made sketch books

What you need for christmas is a note book to write down all your lists…

Or perhaps something for the sketcher in your life.. or a diary for the new year.

So why not buy a locally produced book from Pink Pig? Made in Emley by hill dwellers apparently.

Ingredients

The paper they use to make their books 

• Made from wood pulp from managed forests in Europe,
• Made in Kendal in the Lake District.

So doing their best to keep the ‘carbon footprint’ down.

Good Works

They donate .5% of their turnover to the RNLI

Buy them…

Available by post from the pink pig website or buy in person from Calder Graphics in Byram Arcade or A1 Stationers on Kirkgate

Knitting

is great ….

But it takes so long I hear you cry…. well what you need is a knitting buddy to help you through the hard times when that scarf seems to going on for ever.

Huddersfield has two knitting groups that meet to share knitting stories.

There’s Yarn that meets at Cafe Evolution – the one by the park – more details forthcoming

Try the one that meets in the Oak Rooms Byram Arcade (you need to come in the back door) 6.00 pm till 8  every other Wednesday – check the calender for details.

For knitting you will need knitting needles and wool and perhaps a pattern - click here for stockists

The above are american bears knitted from recycled wood died with Kool Aid – I think thats some kind of drink…click on the image for more inspiration…

Milkmen