Wovember Words: Alnagers

I was reading about the history of woollen blanket manufacture in Witney, Oxfordshire, when I came across a curious term: “alnagers”. Further reading revealed that ‘Alnage, or aulnage (from Fr. aune, ell) is the official supervision of the shape and quality of manufactured woollen cloth’ and that alnagers were the official practitioners of Alnage. They… Continue Reading Wovember Words: Alnagers

Chris Dyer: crofting aspirations

Here at WOVEMBER we recognise the importance of the wool journey and we have been very lucky to have had such insightful contributions looking at sheep farming. In today’s post we look at the experiences of first time crofter Chris Dyer. Originally from London, archaeologist Chris decided to take over a croft in Bressay, Shetland… Continue Reading Chris Dyer: crofting aspirations

Lamb camp

Sara Dunham – the shepherd from whom we heard earlier in the month – has sent us some beautiful pieces about her sheep. These will sometimes appear between now and the end of WOVEMBER as lovely snippets designed to give you a sheepy boost to beat the afternoon slump! Thanks Sara for these wonderful words… Continue Reading Lamb camp

Merino in bright colours

‘When I first learned to spin all I bought was merino fibre dyed in bright colours. I’ve been trying to use it up ever since.’ – Jeni Reid

The relationship between wool and design

This WOVEMBER we have looked at how different breed wools should be celebrated for their individual characteristics and how these can really compliment the pattern of your choice. We are very pleased to have designer Karie Westermann discuss her personal relationship between yarn and the design aesthetic.   As a knitter I am drawn to… Continue Reading The relationship between wool and design

The sheep are free

‘One of the white Cheviot sheep in Stoer. The sheep are owned by crofters and have the freedom to go wherever they want – all the way to the seashore.’ – Jeni Reid

Wovember Words: Wool from stuffing to stitches

At WOVEMBER we love to hear exactly why people love to work with wool.  Louise interviewed Linda Regel – owner of Made By Ewe – last year for KnitBritish: her knitting kits are illustrative of her love for British wool and here she explains her inspiration for her Knit Your Own Sheep kits. “It is absolutely essential to me that… Continue Reading Wovember Words: Wool from stuffing to stitches

Designing a Yarn, Part 4

Sue Blacker joins WOVEMBER again for the conclusion of her 4-part series on designing yarns from a wool mill’s perspective; if you didn’t catch parts 1, 2 and 3, you can find them here, here, and here. There are some interesting points in this article about blending wool with other fibres such as silk and… Continue Reading Designing a Yarn, Part 4

A sock in a pot

‘A sock in a pot. In the outside loo at the bottom of my stairs, it’s now a potting shed.’ – Jeni Reid

Wovember Words: Click go the shears

Team WOVEMBER’s Louise cannot resist a woolly song or poem. I was searching for a song for your Sunday listening pleasure and I found Click Go The Shears, an Australian folk song from the turn of the 19th Century. This is a totally new one on me, but may be familiar to some of you.… Continue Reading Wovember Words: Click go the shears