Claire Taylor McCooke, Bramble Green

Claire Taylor McCooke of Bramble Green had a fabulous feature in the October 2021 issue of the Ulster Tatler – have a read below!

Monday 18 October 2021

Claire Taylor McCooke of Bramble Green had a fabulous feature in the October 2021 issue of the Ulster Tatler – have a read below!

Tell us about Bramble Green.

Bramble Green is a sustainable knitwear brand, based on and inspired by the Causeway Coast (where it is based) and Donegal. We showcase our designs on Instagram and Facebook, where we focus on the coastal, natural environments that inspire us. We also attend select markets and welcome nearby customers to try on designs in person, by appointment, at our home near the Dark Hedges in Co. Antrim. I design or handpick all the pieces in our collections and the wool used to knit most of them myself. From the beginning I have worked closely with local women who knit and now also handloom knitters in Donegal, as well as other small producers in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

When and why did you decide to create this business?

I started Bramble Green in 2016 after having my second child (we now have three). Although my husband and I grew up on the North Coast, we had been following careers in London, and I really wanted to move back home to raise our family. My Mother and Grandmother had clothed me in hand-knits as a baby and I wanted to keep my little ones cosy too, in classic designs with a contemporary style. I started designing my own baby bonnets and found some local women to knit them for me with this amazing wool I’d sourced from the famous Donegal Yarns in Kilcar. I had so many questions when I was out with the kids, on where their clothes were from, that I started taking orders for other mums, and the business was born. By 2018 my range had expanded into adult clothes too including a range of Aran sweaters and cardigans. This year, as well as launching our new hand-loom Crop Cardigan and tote bag, we have released a homeware range of blankets and throws.

What products do you sell?

All things cosy! I have a gorgeous range of Aran knitwear for both adults and children. The colour palette reflects the Irish coastline and countryside. I sell both wool hiking socks and luxury cashmere socks made in Ireland. I have unique designs of artisan hand-made knitwear which include handmade bonnets, beanies and a new cardigan. I have built up relationships with local artisans who provide us with fleece lined baby booties and Alpaca accessories. I also sell scarves sourced in Co. Donegal and Co. Clare which are made on the handloom. In the last year I have brought in a range of Donegal blankets which compliment the Bramble Green colours.

What makes Bramble Green unique to other retailers?

Most of our knitwear range is made in Ireland (much very close to my home) and it is all curated to tie in with a coastal lifestyle and feel. I also feel that years spent living and working in hip East London allowed me to give a fresh angle on traditional Irish knitwear. There is a story you can follow behind every piece in the collection and being a small family business, and loving what we do, means we can really give that personal touch to our customers.

Be sure to keep up to date with Bramble Green on Facebook and Instagram!

Monday 18 October 2021