He was the ultimate sporting underdog.

Now a Huddersfield textile firm has helped to bring the story of daredevil ski-jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards to the big screen – by providing woolly jumpers!

The Eddie The Eagle movie – starring Taron Egerton in the title role and Hugh Jackman as his coach – tells the story of how Eddie Edwards took a flying leap into history and people’s hearts at the Calgary Olympics in 1988. Despite failing to win a medal – and being dubbed ”the worst ski jumper in the world” – Eddie’s heroics and Olympic spirit touched the hearts of the nation.

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The fabulous hand knitted jumpers that his mother Janette wore to support her son were recreated for the film by staff at Slaithwaite-based hand knitting yarns brand Yarn Stories.

Eddie The Eagle Edwards with one of the jumpers knitted by staff at Yarn Stories for the film

In the film, Janette, played by This is England actress Jo Hartley. is seen wearing her “I’m Eddie’s Mum” jumper made by the firm while cheering him on from the sofa at the family home alongside husband Terry, played by Keith Allen.

Yarn Stories sales and marketing director Annabelle Hill said one of the film’s producers was a keen knitter and asked a PR contact if she could find someone to supply the sweaters for the movie.

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Said Annabelle: “We were approached in March last year and we had just three weeks to design and knit the jumpers – one saying ‘I’m Eddie’s Mum and the other saying ‘I’m Eddie’s Dad’. We were given the measurements of the actors so they would fit properly. It was very exciting for Yarn Stories to get involved. using yarn spun in Yorkshire.”

Now Yarn Stories is launching the official Eddie The Eagle jumper pattern and kit complete with all the yarn that dedicated hand knitters need to create their own garments. It is also producing patterns for bobble hats with the letter ‘E’ prominently displayed.

Actress Jo Hartley as Eddie Edwards' mum wearing one of the jumpers knitted for Yarn Stories at Slaithwaite

Annabelle said knitting was increasingly popular. “People do it to relax,” she said. “Where once they knitted from necessity, it’s now a hobby.”

Yarn Stories spins its own yarns for hand knitters around the world and has a reputation for exceptional quality.

The brand is owned by Spectrum Yarns, which spins that are woven into high end suitings for prestigious tailoring in places such as Savile Row.

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The company launched hand knit yarn brand Yarn Stories in 2014. The brand buys top quality fibres from around the world which are then spun into worsted yarns which are characterised by their smoothness, making them easy to knit.

It also works with designers worldwide to bring knitters and crocheters unique collections of patterns.

Eddie the Eagle, also featuring Tim McInnerney and Christopher Walkden, launches on April 1 in cinemas across the country.

(L-R) Hugh Jackman, Eddie Edwards and Taron Egerton arrive for the European premiere of 'Eddie The Eagle' at Odeon Leicester Square on March 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)