Where does my wool come from | British wool scarves, blankets, and throws from Laura's Loom

Where does my wool come from?

Wool Sources

I source all of my wool (except Shetland) directly from farmers in the Yorkshire Dales (Bluefaced Leicester), Cumbria (Hebridean) and Scotland (Black Welsh Mountain). Buying wool directly allows me to learn first hand about the wool cycle and the life of the farmers who maintain our countryside.

Scouring

The fleece is sent to Haworth Scourers in Bradford where it is pulled apart, washed and dried in their huge computerised vats. This is a fascinating complex of warehouses and machinery where 95% of the water is recycled and all of the extracted grease and sludge is re-used in other products.

Spinning

Once scoured, the wool is sent to Lightowlers Spinners near Huddersfield where it is blended and carded on huge machines some of which date back to the 19th century, before being spun into a fine yarn. See the Gallery for some scenes from the spinning mill. Some of the wool is also dyed in the fleece. Halifax Spinners near Goole also supply me with small quantities of yarn.

Weaving

My Howgill throws are woven at Farfield Mill Arts and Heritage Centre in Sedbergh, on Dobcross looms which have been weaving almost continuously since the 1930s. The Hebridean collection and all of my scarves are woven at Drove Weavers in the Borders, on more modern Rapier looms.

Dyeing

Some of my yarn is package-dyed after it has been spun at Ettrick Dyers in Selkirk. Some of my Howgill throws are dyed in-the-piece at Schofields Dyers and Finishers in Galashiels. I choose my colours from many sources, often inspired by the view outside my studio, and the dyers then match them to the yarn or fabric.

Finishing

All of my products are finished at Schofield Dyers and Finishers in Galashiels. Finishing involves purling the fringes then washing the dirt and remaining oils out of the woven cloth. This is followed by various combinations of steaming, blowing and raising to soften the fabric and create the final product.

Shetland Wool

Shetland Isles

Black Welsh Mountain

Tarbet on Loch Nevis (near Mallaig)

Hebridean and Black Welsh Mountain

Windermere, Lancaster, Brough (nr. Kirkby Stephen).
Mountain wools come from hardy sheep. These wools are hard wearing but not hard to the touch. I have the wool spun to a fine count and woven to a soft handle. By blending these wools with white and Moorit shetland wools it is possible to create a range of beautiful natural colours ranging from silver grey to deep brown.

Bluefaced Leicester

Yorkshire Dales National Park - Dent, Deepdale, Cowgill, Cautley, Garsdale, Sedbergh, Malham, Kirkby Stephen.
This high lustre wool is renowned for its fine, soft and smooth qualities. It is less itchy than most other wools. The wool can be spun to a fine count making it wonderful for weaving soft scarves, warm but light blankets, and for knitting.