Damson & Slate at Best of Britannia

I'm digging through my photo archives today - here are some pictures I took of Damson & Slate stand at  Best of Britannia (last blogged about here). Damson & Slate are based in Wales, stocking a range of Welsh-made products: knitwear, accessories, and things for home.

I liked their throws - my photo doesn't show the herringbone detail of the throw below which is a deep vibrant blue with white.

Damson & Slate at Best of Britannia and Selvedge Winter Fair

It was great to finally meet Damson & Slate at the Best of Britannia event in the Farmiloe Building, Clerkenwell (Damson & Slate last blogged about here - they sell a lovely slate soap dish which I still have my eye on).  They were also at Selvedge Winter Fair a couple of weeks ago, more posts coming up soon about this event.

Damson & Slate sell beautiful Welsh-made products - their website says: 'we are actively supporting and encouraging a new generation of craftspeople who are using traditional skills in a fresh way to make truly beautiful gifts and interior accessories.' Which, of course, is what I love about them.

They brought with them to the Fairs a fine selection of their textiles.  The 'Amroth' throw in the pic below caught my eye - it's a herringbone pattern woven in traditional looms and based on a vintage herringbone pattern, available in Indian Red, Barley Brown, Slate Grey, Oak Green and Damson. Size 150 x 200 cm.

Welsh dolls  - made using Welsh cloth woven at local mills and vintage pieces

Best of Britannia, Farmiloe Building: Archie Foal knitwear

You know how it is, when you find a piece of clothing that is perfect in so many ways? This heavy weight cardigan by Archie Foal is the one for me this autumn; and because of its classic shape and amazing quality, its something I'll wear for years to come. Knitted in Scotland from superfine merino wool with a shawl collar, it is warm enough to wear instead of a coat.

The quality is superb - the merino wool does not go bobbly ('pill' in wool-speak) and bounces back to keep its shape. Mr Archie Foal was sporting one at the Best of Britannia show yesterday at the Farmiloe building in Clerkenwell (hurry along now to catch the last few hours) - he told me he's been wearing it a lot this autumn instead of a coat, while moving boxes of stock around, and it looked like new: it has retained its shape and remained bobble-free.

close up of the Noah cardigan, available in navy, sage green, brown, and grey marl- with some fantastic red socks to wear with boots while huntin' and shootin'

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I covet these too - merino knit Oskar jumpers

Age of Reason scarves at Best of Britannia

Age of Reason scarves. These, I love.
Punk owls, British bulldogs, roller skates, pirate queens.
No more words are needed (last blogged about here).

Best of Britannia at the Farmiloe Building, Clerkenwell

Best of Britannia at the Farmiloe Building, Clerkenwell - it's on until Sunday, go and check out some fabulous British designer-makers (£5 entry fee)

A few pictures to set the scene - favourite finds coming up next