At the end of last year, David Whitaker, one of our co-operative's handloom weavers, submitted a letter about his recent Herdwick work to the US-based specialist magazine, Handwoven. David was as surprised as anyone when his letter – and a photograph of the Cat Track weave placement and runner that he mentioned in his correspondence – was published in the Spring 2024 issue.

"A lot of my work in The Wool Clip shop is much softer – items such as lambs wool waffle cot blankets and softly woven scarves – but I've been enjoying exploring the possibilities of local Cumbrian Herdwick wool, especially in its various natural colours. I created woven wall hangings last year and then worked up some ideas with the Cat Track motif. The Cat Track can be woven on various scales and there'd been an article in Handwoven last year by Tom Knisely about this. It was in response to his article that I wrote the letter. It turned out to be a good way of promoting Herdwick wool and yarn and its use beyond the traditional carpet weaving."

"Diversity in our craft extends interest for every weaver."

David Whitaker, The Wool Clip

David's Herdwick pieces are now on sale in the shop alongside his blankets and other woven items. The Herdwick yarn was spun by another Wool Clip member, Chris Crofts, and is also available to buy online and in the shop.