Claire Taylor-McCooke lives with her husband Alex and three young children in rural Co Antrim.

She grew up close to Coleraine, coming from generations of farmers on the Taylor side.

Her father is a farming activist, lobbying for fair pricing for farming families and her brother runs a pedigree Suffolk sheep business.

When did you set up your business and why?

After returning from seven years in London working in property, I set up the online shop in 2016 at a time when I was mothering two small children.

The cold Irish weather encouraged me to wrap them up in knits, as my mother and grandmother had done.

Various trips to Donegal over the years, as well as the local Causeway Coast, inspire the designs and the palette of the collection.

I sourced beautiful wool from Donegal Yarns in Kilcar after spending an afternoon in the old woollen mill.

The early pieces in the collection, like the bonnets and beanies, were all handknit locally on knitting needles by retired women with true artisan talent.

Can you explain your process?

My process has evolved over the years, as I have built up relationships with more producers and artisans.

Anything I have made or chosen for the knitwear collection has to fit with the ethos and palette of my personal idea of what Bramble Green is about. Sustainability is particularly important to me.

From the beginning, I designed the handmade bonnets and beanies, which are made with the Donegal Yarns’ wool.

I now work with some handloom knitters in Donegal that make the beautiful crop cardigan for me. It’s available in a block-colour design and is a very unique piece.

Claire works with handloom knitters in Donegal to make the signature Bramble Green crop cardigan.

Over the last couple of years, I have formed a collaboration with Fisherman Out of Ireland in Kilcar and they are producing some really special knits for me, including a super sustainable stripy beanie, an infinity scarf and the most elegant snood-hood for those that are very outdoorsy.

I have a great range of Aran knitwear - both classic and modern in style. I have been working with another family business since 2018 to offer a staple of cosy sweaters and cardigans.

I have recently added some new colours for children to reflect the Bramble Green palette. Excitingly, I have some very cool pieces coming from the west of Ireland, which are now in the new collection for this autumn/winter.

What is your best seller?

People have always liked the more unique knits, like the handmade baby booties and the beanies that are made with wool from Donegal Yarns.

I think with a resurgence for demand towards classic design, the Aran has proved particularly popular with local and international customers. I have definitely noticed customers are asking more and more about where a product is made and the process behind that.

What is it about your business that brings you joy?

Like anyone that works in business, it is always great to get good customer feedback!

A thank-you email or a photo of them wearing their new knit, for example. Also, I definitely find I get a lot of repeat business from people that are happy with previous purchases.

Unique children's wear is a core part of Bramble Green.

Overall, I am proud of the products I sell and I personally wear them myself because they are cosy, well-made and they look good.

People stop me often when we are out as a family and ask where I got my knits or the kids’ bits that they are wearing.

What are your hopes for 2022?

The biggest thing for us this year is building the studio, which will be a shop/workplace for Bramble Green. It is looking good, with some nice touches such as the warehouse-style features, but it will be closer to Christmas before it is finished.

I hope to keep expanding my international market, which is largely based on online sales from the website.

Like many businesses, I feel we might have to ride the storm of any economic uncertainties. However, I do feel that quality fashion retailers are better placed to do that than throw away fashion outlets.

What advice would you give to another start-up business?

I think try to go niche. You can do something that other people are already doing, but put your own spin on the project. Really focus on quality, sustainability and the story behind the product you are offering.

Visit https://bramblegreen.bigcartel.com/.