Wool
Why Wool?
Wool is an amazing natural fibre that sheep have evolved to produce, it is natural, warm, renewable, biodegradable, breathable & durable. It is a natural insulator due to the small air pockets between its fibres that can trap and release heat, maintaining your body temperature - what clever sheep! I only use lambswool which is a soft, luxurious natural fibre.
It is kind to the sheep to have their beautiful coats removed regularly to avoid disease and discomfort - I am grateful to the sheep for this natural product that provides us with insulation and protection.
The lambswool I use comes from the Geelong area of Australia which is synonymous with fineness. It is processed, spun and dyed in a 200-year old, family-owned and run mill in the heart of the Yorkshire Pennines.The mill produces approximately 120 colours of lambswool yarn which are Oeko-Tex certified, meaning that they are free from harmful dyes and other substances, and safe to be in contact with skin.
Care, Reuse and Repair
Washing
All my woolly accessories can be washed by hand using a non biological wool detergent. They should be washed gently in warm water with minimum agitation as heat and agitation are what causes shrinkage and felting as the fibres mesh together.
It is important to use a non-biological wool detergent as it is specially formulated to protect the natural oils and lanolin in woollen fibres.
Once washed and rinsed roll your knits to squeeze out any excess moisture and try to dry your scarves and other accessories as flat as possible to prevent them from stretching and losing their shape.
To keep the storage stools, animals and dolls clean, you should treat any soils or spills as soon as possible, soaking up any excess liquid. Dab the soiled area with cold water – do not rub as this may spread the stain and will agitate the woollen fibres. Allow to dry naturally, away from heat.
Moths!
I do love wool but unfortunately from time to time you may come across a hole made from the pesky moth! These clothes moths are drawn to dirty marks on the wool, especially those with perspiration or food stains, so always wash your knits before storing them – when not in use it’s a good idea to store clean knits in a moth proof bag or airtight box.
If you find evidence of moth attack on your woollens, bag your items and put them in the freezer for a week to kill any eggs or larvae, also vacuum and clean wardrobes, cupboards or drawers where woollen items are stored. There are many products on the market to deter or kill moths - some natural deterrents like cedar wood or lavender balls, and some stronger chemical sprays and sticky papers that will kill moths, larvae and their eggs.
However a hole in your favourite scarf or hat is no reason to abandon it, why not have a go at mending it? Even if you don't feel confident about making an invisible mend you could make a feature with your darning - perfect imperfections! I find the darning work of Celia Pym inspiring and beautiful.
There are many darning tutorials and visuals online, please contact me if you would like any lambswool yarn to mend with, I will do my best to match your colours and send it to you.
Piling
Due to its soft fibres Lambswool does have a tendency to pill, especially where there is friction involved, but these bobbles can be removed using an anti pilling comb. Pilling on lambswool should reduce over time.
Sustainability
My products are made from natural fibres and designed to last, I am very conscious of environmental and sustainability issues and keep this at the heart of my philosophy - I don't produce collections twice a year, my products don't particularly follow fashions or trends but instead I hope they are timeless and you will enjoy them for many years. In order to reduce waste and avoid surplus stock, I make my products in small batches or on demand.
My studio is at my home in Norwich, Norfolk so no commute! Over the years I have built up a relationship and friendship with my suppliers, manufacturers and outworkers who are all based in the UK and I feel happy that I can support local businesses.
I am currently using recycled plastic mailer bags for my online orders but am planning to move to biodegradable packaging and tape soon. I am also trialling alternatives to the plastic and cellophane bags used to protect the products - instead using tissue, paper bags and corn-startch bags to pack up online orders.
There is always more that can be done and if you have any suggestions do let me know!