Arts Thread

Strong wool possesses many attributes such as being renewable, biodegradable, breathable, odour and stain resistant, durable and fire retardant. However, it’s financially unviable for many farms to shear sheep for profit due to competition from synthetic fibres, leaving a surplus of strong wool sitting unused. This project focused on revitalising this industry through craftsmanship, promoting a holistic approach which considered the environment, materials, people and processes to bring textiles from farm to fabric. I collaborated with a local farmer and worked with the fleeces from shearing day. Sorting and scouring the fleeces before carding, spinning and plying them into yarn. I coloured the yarn with natural dyes before setting up looms to weave the rugs, with the designs based on farming landscapes. Finally, the woven textiles were run through a felting loom to create a dense, tight cloth. The collection showcases strong wool while taking advantage of its many properties to create beautiful and functional rugs.