British wool

Discover the versatility of our native fleece

British wool is renowned for quality worldwide and is integral to our textile heritage, which is still visible today in many iconic traditions, such as Fair Isle knits, woven tweed and Welsh blankets. But its origins are far older; sheep have roamed the British Isles for at least 10,000 years. Britain has an abundance of distinct habitats in which sheep can thrive, from rugged, windswept islands to misty upland terrain and rolling grass downs. Unique, localised breeds developed over the millennia, each perfectly adapted to its environment with distinctive properties of fleece. This diversity is what makes British wool so special. Today, we still actively raise over 60 sheep breeds in Britain (more than any other country), cared for by over 35,000 farmers.

With such a variety of wool available, we have many breeds ideally suited to knitwear, each with unique properties. Bluefaced Leicester has become very popular thanks to its lustrous quality and fine yet durable fibres. It is a great all-rounder for knitting, crochet and weaving. Shetland wool is traditionally used for Fair Isle. It has a soft feel and a fine crimp that traps warm air, creating light yet cosy garments. Wensleydale fleece has very long fibres in curly locks. It has a glossy appearance, similar to mohair, and is great for adding decorative textures or blending with finer wools for strength.

We're proud to champion British wool and be part of this rich textile heritage by adding our contemporary twist.