Mission.

Small-batch knitwear and collections built to last. Our products connect you to the landscape, seasons, and the community around it. The rituals of making. Founded in 2010 by Anna Felton who is now Reed.

The most important part of Monkstone goods is that they are ever changing, and we want you to feel part of the story. The design process is linked with the farming methods of the principles of permaculture. Design methods have been adapted to work with wool in a way that is sustainable and natural, enhancing the biodiversity of the natural source. Low impact and made locally. The yarns are all sourced from trusted farms, we use local shearers, experienced spinners and a great local factory to create the final garments. We also have a wonderful group of hand knitters who help to spread the joy of working with such natural yarns. The current collection uses wool from the Monkstone flock.

Wool is a magic natural fibre has high resilience. It regulates temperature and allows wicking. Perfect for active wear and everyday hardiness. Wool is 100% natural and only consumes water, sunshine and grass. It is sustainable and will naturally decompose, giving back to the soil. Sheep produce a new fleece each year, making wool a renewable fibre. We follow the journey of our wool. From farm to hanger our products only travel 82 miles.

Our flocks.

Part 1: The Black Welsh Mountains; A pedigree flock of sheep ideal to the farm’s developing system. A hardy breed with excellent durable hardy warm wool. With good resistance to the elements and diseases, the Black Welsh Mountains share pasture easily with the cattle and demand less with regards to additional winter feed, housing and unnecessary management.Good lambing and mothering instincts form part of the breed's characteristics.

Part 2: The Dorsets; Smaller in numbers on the farm but larger in size and personality these sheep are a very adaptable breed fitting in well with the overall system. Their big fleeces produce excellent wool for clothes and knitwear. Within the Dorsets on the farm are a number of coloured ewes. For wool production these colours are highly desirable and the process of dying is not required. Additionally their friendly inquisitive nature has a positive effect on the Black Welsh Mountains meaning the flock as a whole is approachable and manageable out in the field.

Each season inspires us uniquely. In spring, fresh greens and flowers shape our colour choices, symbolising growth. Summer brings vibrant colours like wildflowers and sunny days, while autumn fills us with earthy tones, reflecting fallen leaves and harvests. Winter's soft whites and deep blues inspire warm, cosy pieces for the cold.

We are committed to sustainability through local foraging and working with artisans. We use the rich textures of nature, from rough stone to soft moss, and local craftsmanship adds depth, honouring traditional techniques and the beauty of handmade products.

Every item of our knitwear and homeware reflects this connection to nature. By embracing nature’s rhythms and local skills, we create durable, small-batch knitwear built to last—rooted in sustainability and community values. Our products are more than just clothing; they connect you to the landscape, seasons, and the people around it.

We use for so many things, but mostly in Home Meadow where we grow.

Composting wool enriches soil and supports plant growth. Wool, a natural fibre high in nitrogen, is a great addition to compost heaps. As it breaks down, it supplies essential nutrients, improves soil structure, and helps retain moisture, creating a better environment for plants.

When wool composts, it breaks down and fosters beneficial microorganisms that boost soil fertility by decomposing organic matter and releasing nutrients for plants. It also helps regulate soil temperature, providing a stable environment for roots.

Using wool as mulch in gardens offers advantages as well. It serves as a natural barrier against weeds while keeping moisture and providing insulation, reducing the need for chemical herbicides and minimising water loss.

Additionally, using wool aligns with our farming practices, as it is biodegradable and comes from renewable sources, supporting eco-friendly gardening.

Sustainable design and slow design are increasingly relevant in today's world, particularly within the context of a circular economy. This approach prioritises the longevity and recyclability of products, which directly contrasts with the fast fashion model that dominates much of the industry. Emphasising the use of heritage and traditional skills, sustainable design not only creates high-quality items but also fosters a deeper connection between the maker and the consumer.

A circular economy focuses on the lifecycle of products, advocating for resource efficiency and waste reduction. This system encourages the reuse, repair, and recycling of materials, thereby minimising environmental impact and extending the lifespan of products. By working within this framework, we can reduce their carbon footprint and promote a more harmonious relationship with the environment.

Integrating traditional skills into the design process enhances the quality and uniqueness of our products. These techniques, honed over generations, often result in superior craftsmanship that cannot be replicated by mass production methods. Furthermore, incorporating local materials from heritage breeds, such as those sourced from our own flock at Trevayne Farm, supports local economies and reduces emissions.

Slow design champions thoughtful creation, encouraging consumers to invest in fewer, but higher-quality, ethically produced pieces. This shift in mindset helps to cultivate a culture of appreciation for craftsmanship and sustainability. By embracing the principles of slow and sustainable design, we honour the rich traditions of our heritage while meeting contemporary needs, ensuring that our production processes are kind to the planet and our communities.

Our products are washed, spun and made in Wales, all within 42 miles of the farm where our sheep graze. We use a selection of hand knitters and artisans. We make many of our pieces to order and so sometimes there is a little wait.

We believe in making products that last using the most incredible yarn we can get our hands on. There are only two wool sources left in the UK and so we hope to grow our collective of farmers who want to keep their yarn closer to home. Our process is not fast, it’s a slow production. We believe slow is best.

From fleece to product - shearing, grading, carding, combing, spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing.

Our manufacturing methods always consider the lowest environmental impact we can achieve. We are always striving to make this better. Our aim is to manufacture and create by achieving the lowest impact on the Environment, the most natural and highest quality products we can, made to last. When the garments eventually come to the end of their lives they can be composted.

We use a number of hand knitters to create our designs. We make our own patterns and develop the range based in the amount of wool we get after our yearly shear. The colours of the yarn are often a little different due to the new sheep we welcome into the flock each year so it’s interesting to see the tones and textures we can achieve.

We shear on a yearly basis and if the weather is warm we will shear a little early. We pay attention to the sheep’s needs at all times making sure they are looked after to the best of our ability here at Trevayne.

We use experienced local shearers to get a good quality fleece, we then bundle the fleeces based on breed, keeping the fleeces separate to make cleaning and spinning the wool a lot more accessible. This also means we can design accordingly, based around the amount of fleece we get per breed keeping style in mind.

After the washing and spinning process, which takes around 2 months, we divide the kilos of wool. We divide it into oiled on cone, washed on cone (for machine knitting) and hand knitting yarns in 50kg balls. We tend to get 5-8 kilos per sheep. Our ram ‘Rambo’ had a fleece of 7 kilos.

When the yarns come back to our studio we then send the yarns to our hand knitters, and the wonderful factory we use which is only 42 miles away from the farm.

We work with the most incredible local knitwear factory. We work with their team to create our bespoke jumpers, scarves and home wear. We trust their skill set and years of knowledge in UK manufacturing the very best products that are made to last.

During the process of washing and carding we are able to save some fleece to create bundles of felting yarn that are perfect for craft and making. The wool is a natural source and is perfect to be used for dying and creating your own crafts.