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Where Heritage Meets Innovation
A Visit to Genevieve Sweeney's Sustainable Knitwear Studio at Grandey's Place Herdfordshire
Will Forrester
January 11, 2025
"As a knitter, weaver and quilter myself, discovering Genevieve's studio at Grandey's Place was like finding a kindred spirit in the craft world. Her vision of creating a micro-factory to produce small-batch, experimental knitwear while training the next generation of craftspeople isn't just inspiring – it's exactly what our industry needs. In a world of fast fashion, here's someone who understands that true craftsmanship takes time, care, and a deep respect for both tradition and sustainability."
Through the Heritage Crafts Association and Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), I learned about an extraordinary initiative at Grandey's Place in Hertfordshire. Among their remarkable 'Our Craftspeople' directory, Genevieve Sweeney's vision for sustainable British knitwear manufacturing stands out. Her approach to preserving and innovating traditional craftsmanship resonates deeply with my own passion for fiber arts.
What makes her studio particularly remarkable is its location within this unique heritage craft center, where she works alongside other skilled artisans - from globemakers to 17th-century watchmakers. This community of makers represents something vital: the preservation and evolution of British craftsmanship.
Grandey's Place in Hertfordshire is nestled in the tranquil countryside, this heritage craft center is home to an extraordinary community of artisans, including luxury knitwear designer Genevieve Sweeney. I must warn you there is some GREAT reading linked below by yours truly as I really needed to share the love of merino wool socks, british-made buttons, and italian all natural dye techniques involving ZERO chemicals 🙂
What immediately struck me about Genevieve's story is how it began - with knitting needles in hand at just five years old. This "secret hobby" blossomed into a full-fledged career after she discovered she could pursue a degree in knitwear. After working with global brands across New York, Switzerland, and London, Genevieve noticed something concerning: the gradual disappearance of Britain's small, family-run knitwear manufacturers. Rather than watch this rich heritage fade away, she decided to take action.
Her studio at Grandey's Place is a testament to slow fashion and sustainable practices. Here, she's surrounded by an inspiring community of fellow craftspeople - from globe makers and stained glass artists to watchmakers. Once a month, Genevieve opens her studio doors for tours, sharing her passion for British-made knitwear with visitors. These sessions often turn into fascinating discussions about everything from the intricacies of hand-linking to the stories behind her sustainably sourced yarns and even British-made buttons!
What truly excites me is Genevieve's vision for the future. She's planning to establish a micro-factory right in her studio - a space where she can create small-batch, limited edition pieces while training the next generation of craftspeople in specialized skills like linking. Her dream is to make this venture employee-owned, ensuring these valuable skills are preserved and providing well-paid, meaningful employment opportunities.
Her approach to design is refreshingly thoughtful - each piece begins with the yarn itself, often inspired by nature's changing seasons. Instead of rushing to meet typical fashion calendar demands, she takes time to develop pieces that are truly timeless, designed to be passed down through generations.
“The Power of Mother Nature. A few months ago I visited a yarn mill in Italy that naturally dye their yarn, no chemicals are used, only plants. What makes this mill so different, the owner is a chemist first.. there is no green washing here, it has taken over 20 years to create this incredible colours in the most sustainable way. What I found mind blowing is that every batch of colour looks the same, however each recipe isn’t - every batch of yarn will have to be tweaked as the effects of climate change on the plants will effect the colour they produce. Regenerative RWS certified merino wool, spun and dyed in Italy. Knitted in Britain to create the new Quin T-shirt.”
For those interested in sustainable fashion and traditional craftsmanship, Genevieve's studio at Grandey's Place (Nr Green Tye, Much Hadham, East Herts) welcomes visitors during their monthly open studios and special events. It's more than just a studio visit - it's an opportunity to witness the revival of British knitwear manufacturing and support a vision of fashion that values both heritage and sustainability.
As a fellow knitter, I find it incredibly inspiring to see how Grandey's Place is fostering this remarkable community of heritage craftspeople. Genevieve's studio is just one part of this extraordinary center, where she works alongside other skilled artisans including a globemaker working on traditional spheres, a stained glass conservator practicing 17th-century techniques, and even a historical watchmaker. Each of these craftspeople contributes to keeping these valuable traditional skills alive.
If you'd like to experience this unique craft community for yourself,
Grandey's Place offers several ways to visit:
Monthly guided studio tours where you can see multiple craftspeople at work
Special seasonal events during summer and winter weekends
Individual studio visits by appointment
Evening and weekend open studios held every other month
You'll find Grandey's Place in the tranquil Hertfordshire countryside at: Warren Park Nr Green Tye, Much Hadham East Herts SG10 6FF United Kingdom
P.S. To learn more about Genevieve's sustainable knitwear or plan your visit to her studio, you can follow her on Instagram @genevievesweeney or visit her website. For information about events at Grandey's Place, contact them directly at [email protected] or +44 7775 996846.
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