Stephen Sheard: From Yorkshire Textiles to Global Craft Influence

One of our Past Presidents, Stephen Sheard has decided to “retire” from Huddersfield Textile Society. Too easily we lose the history of achievements of individuals like Stephen and so I am happy, with his co-operation, to provide you with a snapshot of his textile career and contribution to the industry.

Stephen Sheard is a significant figure in modern British textiles and the international craft industry, best known as a co-founder and long-time Managing Director of Rowan Yarns, one of the world’s most influential designer yarn brands. Over a career spanning five decades, Sheard has combined creative leadership, business development and community engagement, shaping both the commercial and cultural landscape of hand knitting and craft textiles.

Welcoming Prof. Sandy Black UAL ( University of the Arts , London )as guest speaker at the HTS lecture on "The importance of Knitwear"

Early Career in Yorkshire Textiles

Sheard’s professional roots lie firmly in the traditional textile heartlands of West Yorkshire. After achieving the ATI qualification as a Chartered Textile Technologist, Textile & Design Technology (1964 -1969) he developed his early experience in textile design and production, becoming Design Manager at Heatherdale Fabrics in Todmorden (1975–1978). This period immersed him in fabric design, manufacturing processes and the realities of Britain’s textile industry during a time of major structural change.

Founding Rowan Yarns (1978)

In 1978, Stephen Sheard co-founded Rowan Yarns Ltd (originally Rowan Weavers) in Holmfirth, alongside Simon Cockin. What began as a small weaving and craft business quickly evolved into a pioneering yarn company with a new vision: premium natural fibres, exceptional colour ranges, and designer-led creativity.

Under Sheard’s leadership as Managing Director (1978–1995), Rowan transformed the hand-knitting market. At a time when much yarn production focused on limited palettes and mass-market fibres, Rowan introduced:

• Broad, painterly colour ranges (famously launching yarns with nearly 100 shades)

• High-quality natural fibres

• A strong emphasis on professional designers and visual presentation

This approach elevated knitting from a purely domestic craft into a design-driven creative practice with international appeal.

The Rowan Magazine and Global Expansion

One of Rowan’s most influential innovations was the launch of Rowan Magazine in 1986, a beautifully produced seasonal publication showcasing knitwear designs, photography and colour. It became a collector’s item and set new standards for craft publishing.

During this period Rowan expanded rapidly beyond the UK, entering the US market in the mid-1980s and eventually distributing in over 30 countries. The brand became synonymous with contemporary knit design.

Rowan within Coats Crafts

Following Rowan’s integration into Coats Crafts UK, Sheard continued to lead the brand as:

• General Manager, Rowan Yarns (1995–2001)

He then progressed into senior group roles within Coats:

• Marketing and Development Director, Coats Crafts UK (2001–2005)

• Creative Director – Crafts, Coats PLC (2005–2007)

In these roles, he influenced strategy across multiple global craft brands, not just Rowan, helping to shape product development, creative direction and market positioning.

Consultancy and Community Enterprise

From 2008 onwards, Sheard has worked as a Textile Consultant through Stephen Sheard Consultancy, advising on textile, craft and creative business projects.

Alongside this, he has been deeply involved in ethical and community-focused enterprise, notably serving as Chair of the Fair Trader Co-operative (2009–2016) in Holmfirth, reflecting a long-standing commitment to fair trade, sustainability and local economic development and today contributes his expertise to a number of community organisations.

A Long-Standing Relationship with Kaffe Fassett

Stephen Sheard congratulating Kaffe Fassett on his Honorary Doctorate at the University of Huddersfield

One of the most important creative relationships in Rowan’s history — and in modern textile design more broadly — is Stephen Sheard’s collaboration with Kaffe Fassett. The two met in the early 1980s, when Fassett was already gaining recognition for his vibrant use of colour in needlepoint and knitting. Sheard immediately recognised the power of Fassett’s aesthetic and its perfect alignment with Rowan’s colour-driven philosophy.

Together they developed:

• Early Rowan knit kits featuring Fassett’s designs

• Ongoing pattern collaborations

• Regular featured work in Rowan Magazine

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In fact, Rowan’s own historical record notes that Kaffe Fassett has had at least one design featured in every issue of Rowan Magazine, a remarkable creative continuity spanning decades.

Their relationship was not purely commercial. Fassett has publicly described Sheard as a key early supporter of his knitwear work, while the University of Huddersfield later referred to Sheard as a long-standing friend and collaborator of Fassett when covering Fassett’s visits and honorary doctorate.

Photo left shows Nicola Redmore (also a Past President of HTS), Textile Department Leader showing Kaffe Fassett around the school, University of Huddersfield

Through Rowan, Sheard provided Fassett with:

• High-quality yarns suited to complex colour work

• A global publishing platform via Rowan Magazine

• Creative freedom to explore bold, painterly textile design

In return, Fassett’s work became central to Rowan’s visual identity and international reputation.

This partnership helped redefine how colour, pattern and artistic expression could be used within hand knitting and textile crafts.

Connection to Huddersfield Textile Society

Beyond his commercial career, Stephen Sheard has maintained close ties to the regional textile community. He served as President of Huddersfield Textile Society from 2014 to 2016, and has also appeared in HTS programmes as a lecturer.

It was through this connection that he helped facilitate Kaffe Fassett’s visits to Huddersfield, including the co-organised public lecture at the University of Huddersfield in 2015 — a year before Fassett received his Honorary Doctorate for services to textile design and craft.

Legacy

Stephen Sheard’s career bridges:

• Traditional Yorkshire textile manufacturing

• The modern designer craft movement

• Global creative business leadership

• Ethical and community enterprise

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Through Rowan Yarns, he helped elevate hand knitting into an international design-led discipline. Through his collaboration with Kaffe Fassett and many other designers, he nurtured creative talent that continues to influence textile culture today.

His work stands as a powerful example of how regional textile heritage can be transformed into globally significant creative industries.

Lectures during Stephen Sheard’s Presidency

2014-2015

• Global Retailing, the Modern Day Story of Wool. Peter Ackroyd

• What PR can do for your business and the Power of Social Media

• Kaffe Fassett: Inspiration in Colour

2015-2016

• The Campaign for Wool – A New Era of Wool Marketing

• Weave Design & Virtual Sampling using Shima Seiki’s APEX 3 Design System

• Thermafleece: Nature’s Finest Insulation. Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd

• What makes a great English brand. WPA Pinfold

• Visit - Heritage Quay, University of Huddersfield