Meet James & Dr Thomas
One built the business.
The other accidentally became one of its most popular features.
McIntosh is an independent British knitting business founded by James McIntosh and shaped by colour, creativity, personal service and a sincere belief in the value of making something by hand.
It is also home to James’s husband, Dr Thomas, who wandered into the occasional story and somehow became a firm favourite with the McIntosh community.
James would like it recorded that he chooses the yarn, writes the emails, packs the parcels and runs the business. Dr Thomas occasionally enters the room, makes one dry observation and receives most of the applause.
About James McIntosh
James is the founder and creative force behind McIntosh. He selects the yarns, searches for beautiful and unusual products, develops collections and writes the Sunday emails that rarely travel in a straight line.
His relationship with knitting began during his recovery from depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Learning to knit gave his hands something purposeful to do and his mind somewhere gentle to place its attention: one stitch, followed by another.
James calls that experience Knititation®—his name for the calm, focused state he discovered through hand knitting. It is a personal idea rather than a medical treatment, built around pausing, making and concentrating on the next stitch when the whole journey feels too large.
That experience grew into McIntosh: a colourful, independent business that combines thoughtfully chosen yarns and tools with honest advice, humour and a genuinely human relationship with its customers.
James has shared his story through television, radio, print and live events. In 2023, he delivered a TEDx talk at King’s College London entitled “Is hand knitting a mindfulness-based intervention for fidgeters?”
About Dr Thomas
Dr Thomas is James’s husband, friend, fellow speaker and—according to a slightly alarming number of McIntosh customers—the person who ought to appear more frequently in James’s communications.
Despite the impressive collection of letters after his name, Thomas does not provide a medical or scientific basis for Knititation. When he joins James in talks or conversations, his contribution is personal, thoughtful and conversational. Knititation is not presented as a clinical intervention or medical treatment.
Away from his professional life, Thomas is the dry voice of reason in a household containing yarn, knitting needles, parcels and James. He makes regular appearances in the Sunday emails, normally while looking for his keys, questioning a business decision or attempting to prevent another horizontal surface from being covered in wool.
He remains slightly puzzled by his popularity. James remains openly offended by it.
Life behind the shop
McIntosh has never tried to sound like a large, faceless retailer. When you shop with us, you are dealing with real people who use the products, care about what they sell and understand that choosing yarn can be both a practical decision and a deeply emotional event.
James brings colour, enthusiasm, ideas and a willingness to tell the entire story. Thomas brings perspective, dry humour and an admirable willingness to make room for the next irresistible yarn
Together, they have spoken to corporate teams, universities, professional groups, knitting organisations and creative communities. Their talks are warm, candid and frequently funny, exploring James’s personal experience of depression, creativity, identity, homophobic abuse and the unexpected role knitting played in helping him move forward.
What McIntosh means to us
McIntosh is about far more than putting wool into a parcel. It is about helping people find materials they will enjoy using, offering advice from genuine experience and creating a welcoming community around making by hand.
- Quality: yarns, tools and accessories chosen with care.
- Knowledge: honest advice from people who know and use the products.
- Creativity: colour, inspiration and encouragement for every kind of maker.
- Connection: a personal relationship with the people who choose to shop with us.
- Humour: because most knitting emergencies improve after a cup of tea and a sensible period of reflection.
Come and meet the rest of McIntosh
Explore our collection of natural yarns, knitting and crochet kits, patterns, needles, hooks and carefully chosen creative treasures. If you need advice, James will be pleased to help. Dr Thomas may be unavailable due to professional commitments—or hiding from another parcel delivery.
Questions, press enquiries or speaking invitations? Email [email protected].
