About Jas Lewis Henman
Hello there! I’m Jas, a needle felt artist based in Yorkshire.
I graduated in 2020 with a BA in Illustration and a stomach full of fear. To soothe my anxiety, I picked up a new art form known for being relaxing: needle felting.
As slow as it is ancient, needle felting is an incredible, versatile craft that uses a barbed needle to hook and tangle wool fibres. It encompasses everything from fine art to stop-frame animation to kids’ craft supplies. Personally, I started by making surrealist sculptures, but after a lot of experimenting, research, and pricked fingers, I dedicated myself to upcycling knitwear.
Today, I hand-pick beautiful second-hand woolly jumpers, repair their damage, and adorn them with art. Give me a soft wool jumper—real wool like cashmere, lambswool, merino, mohair, or angora—and I’ll give you back a cozy, luxurious, hand-illustrated jumper.
The artwork itself comes from folk stories; the kind carved into wooden beams, tangled in tree roots, and hidden between pages. You'll find nods to archaic art, buckets of folklore, and a healthy dose of magic.
For commissions, commercial work or wholesale orders, please email jaslewishenman@gmail.com
For design and illustration portfolio, visit www.jaslewishenman.myportfolio.com
One of a Kind Wearable Art
Every garment, beret, and tapestry I create is one of a kind. The illustrations that embellish my knitwear are either limited edition or unique one-offs.
For me, wool is the only option. Each garment is at least 70% natural wool, and embellished with 100% Shetland wool.
With a mix of pre-loved knitwear and handcrafted felt art, each piece has its own personality and will never be recreated.
What is needle felting?
Needle felting is a slow art form that has existed for hundreds of years.
Unlike traditional upcycling methods where garments are cut and sewn, my technique tangles the fibres directly into the fabric, creating a non-reversible and long-lasting embellishment.
A felting needle is lined with tiny barbs, which hook onto and pull the wool fibres. The more poking, the more tangled the fibres get, the stronger the bond, until they are securely knotted into the jumper.
Each garment is then finished with an embellishing machine—imagine a sewing machine but with 12 felting needles—which speeds up the final steps, ensuring that the designs are truly felted into the fabric.
Why bother with real wool?
Wool is a magical natural resource, which is why I exclusively upcycle knitwear with at least 65% wool.
It's a sustainable material — sheep will always need shearing, and our work helps support independent farmers.
Sheep didn't just grow their fleeces for fun; they evolved to create an incredible material that reacts to temperature changes, repels dirt and microbes, and is even water resistant.
Just like our own hair, wool comes in all sorts of textures, colours and compositions. Zoom in and you'll see layers of keratin and protein — proof that wool is a true product of nature.
Now let's look at synthetic fibres. Zoom in and what do you see? A smooth noodle of plastic that traps heat instead of insulating and releases microplastics into the environment. Plus, while wool repels dirt, synthetics feel dirty after every wear. All those washes add up to an environmental nightmare.
So, when it comes to cosy knits, wool is the clear winner here!
Learn more about our Sustainability
Are your garments good quality?
Absolutely! Just because they're second-hand doesn’t mean they should be thrown. I handpick each pre-loved piece for its high quality and timeless style.
Fashion shouldn't be a fleeting impulse—it's time we break free from the fast fashion cycle. These upcycled treasures are crafted to be cherished and enjoyed for years to come.
Can you wash them?
Of course! Laundry day doesn't come as often as you think. Sheep have evolved for their coats to naturally resist dirt and water. Our knitwear is the same!
While our garment can be machine washed, washing too aggressively or at a high temperature can shrink and warp the garment. Before washing, we recommend airing, spot washing or handwashing to keep it feeling fresh without the effort of laundry day.
