About us

Hello, I'm James.

I'm the founder of McIntosh, an independent wool, yarn, and haberdashery company based in Peckham, London.

McIntosh was never part of a grand business plan. In truth, it grew from an extremely difficult period in my life when knitting helped me find a way forward. What began as a simple hobby became a source of comfort, creativity, and purpose. Eventually, it became the business you see today.

These days, McIntosh supplies makers all over the world with carefully chosen natural yarns, knitting needles, crochet hooks, kits, and accessories from some of the finest brands in the industry - all of whom are family owned too. Alongside these, you'll also find my own award winning McIntosh hand-dyed yarns and products inspired by the things I love most: natural fibres, colour, craftsmanship, and creativity.

Despite serving customers around the globe, McIntosh remains a small independent business. There is no warehouse full of staff, no call centre, and no complicated layers of management. When you email, you'll be speaking to me. When your parcel arrives, I've packed it myself.

At the heart of McIntosh is a belief that making things matters.

Knitting, crochet, and crafting are not simply hobbies. They give us permission to slow down. They help us focus. They encourage creativity, patience, and confidence. Most importantly, they remind us that progress happens one stitch at a time.

This belief led me to create Knititation® alongside my husband, Dr Thomas. Knititation is a mindful approach to knitting that uses the stitch as an anchor for awareness and reflection. Rather than focusing on the breath, it focuses on the stitch itself.

As I often say:

"A stitch becomes a breath, the next stitch becomes a feeling. I realise, just as a stitch is tangible and integral to a knitting project, that my feelings and emotions are real; I am worth something. If that stitch was not there the project would fall apart. If my feelings and emotions are not there, then I fall apart."

Natural fibres sit at the centre of everything I do. From merino wool and alpaca to silk, cotton, linen, yak and more… I love materials that have character, history, and a story to tell. I work with trusted family brands and suppliers from around the world, selecting products that inspire me and, hopefully, inspire you too.

Whether you're casting on your very first project or have been knitting for decades, you're very welcome here.

Thank you for supporting an independent business, for sharing our love of making, and for becoming part of what I affectionately call the McIntosh Clan.

LIVE life in COLOUR.

A stitch in time saved my mind.

James

James McIntosh
Founder, McIntosh