Responsibility
We believe in making thoughtful decisions that are kinder to the planet. We take responsibility for minimising our impact by making conscious choices at every stage of our supply chain.
Rooted in our home of Northern Ireland, we are committed to a slower, more considered way of making.
From responsibly sourcing our wool and working with our valued local knitters, to producing in limited quantities, we are always seeking ways to do better.
Our network of skilled knitters is based across our home of Northern Ireland.
Working from home, each knitter brings their own craftsmanship and care to every piece they create - supporting local communities, contributing to the wider economy, and helping to reduce the environmental impact of transportation where possible.
Our colossal knitwear is hand-processed to achieve its signature thickness, then hand-knitted entirely without needles - using only skilled hands. Through this process, we celebrate traditional craftsmanship while keeping the cottage industry alive in a modern, meaningful way.
Each cardigan features a label with the name of the knitter who made it, so you know exactly who brought your piece to life.
Materials
We work with responsibly sourced, premium materials chosen for both their quality and their impact.
Our yarns are natural, renewable or recycled fibres, carefully selected to create pieces that feel as good as they look. We prioritise traceability and work with suppliers who meet recognised standards, including RWS-certified and OEKO-TEX® certified wool.
Each material is chosen with intention — balancing softness, quality and environmental responsibility.
For more detailed information on each material, visit our Hope Macaulay Guide.
Waste
Our approach to production focuses on what is truly needed - helping to reduce unnecessary resource use and limit what ends up in landfill.
We are committed to giving new life to every scrap of wool. Leftover yarn is reused in our packaging, donated to student makers, and used to support charitable and community initiatives.
These include Arts Care in Belfast, Trash Fashion in Belfast, Craft Forward in London, and Craft Kids Clubs at Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart and Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.
You can also get involved by ordering our off-cuts for your own creative projects through Hope’s Wool.
One-of-a-kind Scrap Cardigans
A celebration of creativity and conscious craftsmanship.
As part of our zero-waste initiative, each jacket is hand-knitted in Northern Ireland using high-quality leftover yarn from previous designs. Every piece is entirely unique, thoughtfully composed from our colourful wool remnants, and will never be recreated in the same way again.
Zero Waste Yarn
As part of our ongoing zero-waste initiative, we create hand-spun yarn from our own merino wool off-cuts.
Locally spun in Northern Ireland, this chunky, super-soft yarn is made from high-quality Hope Macaulay materials. Each 100g hank is one of only two in its colourway, making it truly special - perfect for knitting, weaving or crochet.
Irish Wool
Since the very beginning, Hope has been committed to creating knitwear from 100% Irish wool - celebrating local craftsmanship and supporting Irish farming.
After careful collaboration, this vision came to life with our Irish Wool Colossal Knit Cardigans. Each piece combines warmth, softness and durability in our signature design, crafted to be worn and treasured for years to come.
Our Irish wool is responsibly sourced through a fair-trade network of farmers across Ireland. This unique blend of Romney lambswool and Bluefaced Leicester is natural, renewable and biodegradable.
Meet the Irish Farmers
The ‘Farm to Yarn’ network was set up by our small family run partner suppliers Ériu.
Each Irish wool knitwear piece includes a QR code that allows you to trace exactly where your wool was sourced.
From farm, to yarn, to finished piece, every step is carefully considered. Once the yarn is produced, it is brought to our network of knitters across Northern Ireland, where it is transformed into your finished garment.
Green Friday
On Black Friday, we celebrate our own ‘Green Friday’.
For every order placed, we donate £10 to environmental initiatives. Recent support includes ‘Wool Innovators’ by Ulster Wool in collaboration with Sentinus, helping schoolchildren across Northern Ireland learn about the value of wool.
Past initiatives include supporting an outdoor forest school in the Mourne Mountains and creating “Bee Hotels” to protect pollinators.
Our Commitment
We are continuously learning and evolving as we grow.
Our goal is to create pieces that feel joyful to wear, while being mindful of how they are made - supporting skilled makers, using responsible materials, and taking a more considered approach at every stage.