Welsh Black Mountains
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.
Pure Dorsets
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.
Coloured Dorsets
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 the the sheep’s needs at all times, making sure they are looked after to the best of our ability here on 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 through traditional craft methods into long-lasting goods. Our manufacturing methods always consider the lowest environmental impact achievable and we are always striving to make this better.
From shear to wear, the process takes around xxx months. It’s slow production, we believe slow is best.
The 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.
Low impact.
Promise
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.
