Katie Cotmarsh

Katie Allen is a Shepherd and Knit Designer-Maker based in Wiltshire, working to connect people with the reality that our clothes come from farming, just like our food. Under her brand Katie Cotmarsh creates 100% traceable knitwear; grown, spun and handmade in South West England using the wool from her flock of native breed sheep. As the farmer, designer and garment producer for her knitwear, she takes responsibility for each stage of production - from getting her hands dirty in the field, to fully fashioning each garment on her knitting machine. Her hand-crafted knitwear demonstrates how British wool can be grown regeneratively, simply and locally processed, resulting in clothing that is beautiful, honest and good for the earth. She uses shepherding processes that honour soil and biodiversity to encourage a wholesome farmed environment, alongside careful attention to slow, hand-crafted production. Her compassion for her sheep and the land they graze, combined with an innovative commitment to regional, low-carbon processing enables her to work sustainability all along the supply chain, creating an important connection between people, place and product.