Our Monkstone Yarn
The Welsh Black Mountain Flock
A pedigree flock and hardy breed with good resistance to the elements, meaning their wool is well-insulating and durable. Good lambing and mothering instincts form part of the breed’s characteristics. The Black Welsh Mountains produce a Cochddu colour, which means “reddish-black” in Welsh.
The Pure Dorset Flock
The Dorsets are smaller in number on our farm, but larger in size and personality. These sheep are very adaptable and their thick fleece means they can withstand the rugged Welsh climate. The pure Dorset breed produces a creamy ecru shade of yarn.
The Coloured Dorset Flock
Within the Dorsets are a number of coloured ewes, their friendly and inquisitive nature has a positive effect on the Black Welsh Mountains, meaning the flock as a whole is approachable out on the field. Their fleece gives us tones of deep grey and slate.
Process
We pay attention to the sheep’s needs at all times, making sure they are looked after to the best of our ability here at Trevayne Farm, Monkstone. We shear on a yearly basis, with experienced local shearers to ensure a good quality fleece. The fleeces are then bundled based on breed and sent to be washed and spun. We design accordingly, based on the amount of wool we get from the breeds in our flock. We tend to get 5-8 kilos per sheep, our ram, Rambo, had a fleece of 7 kilos last shearing. After the washing and spinning process, which usually takes around 2 months, we divide the kilos of wool.
We divide it into oiled on-cone, washed on-cone (for machine-knitting or weaving) and hand-knitting skeins. The yarns are then sent to our highly skilled knitters and weavers to be made into long-lasting goods through traditional craft methods. Our manufacturing methods always consider the lowest environmental impact achievable and we are always striving to improve.
From shear to wear, the process takes around five months. It’s slow production, we believe slow is best.
Land
Our pieces are designed to last generations, but when they eventually come to the end of their lives, they can be composted. We add any wool waste to our gardens to enrich soil and support plant growth. As it breaks down, wool supplies essential nutrients, high in nitrogen, improving soil structure, regulating ground temperature, retaining moisture and boosting soil fertility, providing a stable environment for roots to grow.
We also use wool as mulch in our flower and vegetable beds to serve as a natural barrier against weeds whilst conserving moisture and providing insulation, reducing the need for chemical herbicides and minimising water loss.
Community
Our approach prioritises the longevity and recyclability of products. Emphasising the use of heritage and traditional skills, sustainable design not only creates high-quality items but also fosters a deeper connection between the maker and the consumer. These techniques, honed over generations, often result in superior craftsmanship that cannot be replicated by mass production methods.
Furthermore, incorporating local materials from heritage breeds, such as those sourced from our own flock at Trevayne Farm, supports local economies and reduces emissions.
Monkstone Flock Products
Our knitwear is made by Corgi in our neighbouring county of Carmarthenshire. Corgi, based in South Wales, are family-run manufacturers spanning five generations, during which they’ve perfected traditional and modern methods of knitting for long lasting quality.
Homeware is woven by Bristol Weaving Mill. Valuing both craftmanship and innovative solutions, the British micro-mill is dedicated to limiting the impacts of textile manufacture on the planet whilst keeping traditional methods of making alive.
