Textile heritage

Photograph of the knitting yarn manufacturer Patons and Baldwins trade stand c. 1920. In the foreground are two cases containing raw wool samples and carding and winding machines. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield (Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills).

Photograph of a man in overalls next to a spinning machine at the Patons and Baldwins stand at a trade fair c.1925. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield (Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills).

Photograph of Thornes Wharf in Wakefield c.1950. This image was taken when barge traffic on this stretch of water was still quite heavy and would have transport raw wool to be processed in local mills. Paton and Baldwin's knitting yarn mill is visible behind the barges on the left. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield (Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills). Photograph courtesy of the Wakefield Express.

Needlecraft journal magazine, with advert for Patons' wool of Allerton Bywater on the backpage.

Beehive shaped wool holder with needle gauge, produced by NB Ware for Patons and Baldwins Ltd. to promote their Beehive range of wools. The registered design number inside the base dates it to 1948. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield ( Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills). Patons and Baldwins Ltd produced a variety of woollen and worsted yarns for knitting and other purposes, which were sold under the 'beehive' brand.

Beehive shaped wool holder with needle gauge, produced by NB Ware for Patons and Baldwins Ltd. to promote their Beehive range of wools. The registered design number inside the base dates it to 1948. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield ( Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills). Patons and Baldwins Ltd produced a variety of woollen and worsted yarns for knitting and other purposes, which were sold under the 'beehive' brand.

Rug wool cutter made by Patons and Baldwin, used for cutting wool to the right length for making rugs. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield ( Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills). Patons and Baldwins Ltd produced a variety of woollen and worsted yarns for knitting and other purposes , which were sold under the 'beehive' brand.

1950s knitting pattern booklet produced for Patons and Baldwins. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield (Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills). Patons and Baldwins Ltd produced a variety of woollen and worsted yarns for knitting and other purposes , which were sold under the 'beehive' brand.

Leach's 'Knitted Toys' magazine c.1940 included patterns for Humpty-Dumpty, rabbits and dolls' clothes. Also includes advertising for Wakefield knitting yarn manufacturers Sirdar and Patons and Baldwins and George Lee & Sons Ltd. Spinners and Dyers.

Note to 'The Curator, Town Hall, Wakefield' from Patons and Baldwins Ltd. The company name and the contact details at Rutland Mill in Wakefield are printed in black at the top of the page. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Paton and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield ( Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills).

Black and white photograph of ten sitting women and three men standing in a doorway. Ernest Herring is on left and this may have been a trade fair c.1925 at which the knitting yarn producer Paton and Baldwin Ltd. exhibited. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield ( Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills).

Smock worn by Constance Burnett, a worker at Patons and Baldwins woollen mill at Rutland Mills, Wakefield, 1960s

Knitting and crochet pattern produced for Patons and Baldwins. In the 1770s James Baldwin of Halifax and John Paton of Alloa (Scotland) founded two yarn spinning companies. During their early years both companies produced mainly hosiery yarn for machine knitters however in the mid-nineteenth century they diversified to make hand knitting yarns and patterns. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated to form Patons and Baldwins Limited with mills in Halifax and Wakefield ( Thornes Mills and Rutland Mills). Patons and Baldwins Ltd produced a variety of woollen and worsted yarns for knitting and other purposes , which were sold under the 'beehive' brand.

Patons & Baldwins Ltd. Knitters Annual Digest for 1954 containing knitting patterns, hints and tips, and advertisements. Patons & Baldwins had factories at Thornes Mill and Rutland Mill in Wakefield.