In 1934 Walter Ashford founded Ashford Handicrafts Ltd, a company that has become a world leader in the manufacture of quality spinning wheels, weaving looms and textile equipment.
Today we, together with our loyal team, have produced over 900,000 wheels and looms.
We use the finest Beech hardwood, sourced from sustainably managed forests with Forest Stewardship Council approval.
At our woollen mill in Milton, New Zealand, we source and process high quality fleeces and fibres.
Experience the joy and pleasure of creating your own unique yarns, fabric, garments, and homeware using our wheels, carders, looms, fibres and yarns. Relax knowing your crafts are sustainable, renewable and environmentally friendly.
Rigid Heddle Weaving Basics and Beyond, by Deborah Jarchow, published by Ashford.
Explore colour, design, and texture as you follow Deborah’s clear, step-by-step, instructions. From warping, weaving, trouble shooting and projects featuring plain weave to inlay and hand-manipulated lace this book opens up a whole world of creative weaving.
201 pages
Ashford Book of Weaving Patterns from Four to Eight Shafts by Elsa Krogh
Elsa Krogh, Danish weaver, spinner and author, has brought together her favourite weaving patterns using four, six and eight shafts. Elsa has woven beautiful and exciting shawls, scarves, cushions, towels, table runners, placemats and fabric material, She uses a variety of techniques from twill to summer and winter and modern backed weaves and there are projects for all levels of weaving experience. Many of the patterns are sourced from archival material from local museums. Elsa brings a wonderful sense of continuity to her craft as well as elegant Scandinavian style.
Ashford Book of Rigid Heddle Weaving – Rowena Hart
International weaving teacher and author, Rowena Hart, shows how to create exciting and beautiful garments and home ware – all on a simple two shaft loom. In this book she guides you, step-by-step, showing just how easy it is to make your own unique woven creations. In this revised edition explore more exciting techniques such as brooks bouquet, soumak, huck and superfine weaving using the second heddle kit. Ashford two shaft looms – the Rigid Heddle and Knitters looms – are simple to use, light and compact, and will open a world of colour and texture for you.
Ashford Book of Needle Felting – Barbara Allen
Explore the unlimited potential of needle felting with Barbara Allen. Create your own adorable figures, beautiful flowers and scenes, striking jewellery and embellishments all in flat or sculpted felt. With just a little wool, a felting needle and this book you can create unique and wonderful felted works of art. If you haven’t tried needle felting, here is the book to inspire you. Barbara, a popular teacher and author, explains and illustrates all the techniques, materials and equipment needed. For each project there are step-by-step instructions and full colour photographs of each process. There are projects for beginners and skilled felters and each project builds on the knowledge gained. By the book’s end you will be experienced and confident to create your own masterpiece or try one of Barbara’s beautiful Gallery pieces.
The book provides all the templates for the projects.
Ashford Book of Hand Spinning – Jo Reeve – English
Learn to hand spin with fibre artist Jo Reeve. Jo, the author of the very popular Ashford Book of Carding, has twenty-seven years of spinning experience and will show you how to spin from the beginning through to advanced techniques. Learn how to create unique yarns using different techniques and fibres and make five easy projects using your handspun yarn. Step by step instructions and gorgeous colour photographs will take you on a new journey of creativity.
Ashford Book of Carding – Jo Reeve
This popular, practical and inspirational guide to carding, fleece, slivers and exotic fibres has been revised and expanded to include sections on the blending board and creating self-striping yarn. Written for the hand spinner and felter and everyone who loves fibre, there are sections on using the flick, hand and drum carders and the blending board. There are detailed explanations of colour and fibre blending and colour theory. Step-by-step instructions and full colour photographs will open a world of colour and texture.
We have a wonderful selection of their cotton coned yarns.
We have a good selection of their Equipment.