For the Love of Wool | Scottish Yarn Mill

Wool is an incredible natural fibre, as you can tell from my collections, an integral part of GS designs.

Last September, I had the opportunity to visit one of the oldest Scottish Yarn Mills by Loch Leven and spin my lambswool and cashmere yarn. I was the first visitor post covid- I was totally honoured.

I can’t begin to tell you how amazing it was to be in a yarn mill again with owners who are so passionate about quality, from the sourcing of fleece, dyeing and spinning of fibres and their love of colour. I was in heaven!

I love working with wool; not only is it a dream to knit with it is natural, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.
Wool biodegrades in soil, and it adds nutrients back to the earth. Wool also biodegrades in the oceans, so it does not impact the planet with microfibre and plastic pollution. With responsible rearing of sheep, wool can help to protect, restore and reset the balance of nature.

A colour library of dreams dyed in certified lambswool and cashmere.

The mill is situated on the banks of Loch Leven. Scottish wool and knitwear have always been renowned for their exceptional quality; the secret – the water’s natural purity and softness help to open up the natural fibres, resulting in wonderfully consistent colour and high quality. The fleece is dyed before it’s spun using environmentally friendly dyes, so the water we use can be cleaned and returned to Loch Leven once the dyeing is finished.

I only select my yarns from responsible, sourced and certified, so I know that the farmers protect the sheep that supply the wool and the land on which they graze. This means that the yarn mills I work with follow a responsible standard when sourcing their raw materials that ensure the wool comes from farms that have a progressive approach to managing their land and practice holistic respect for the animal welfare of the sheep.

The traditional machinery in the mill dyes, cards, winds, and spins the fleece. A lot of the machinery is from 1950/60s, I asked if they would ever upgrade them, but they said no other machinery would produce the consistently high-quality yarn they are known for.
Yes, the process is slower, but the machines are more gentle. Therefore quality is higher because of the care taken. I loved everything about this, not compromising quality over quantity.

As we step into October, otherwise known as Wool Month, championed by Campaign for Wool, patron HM King Charles III.
I hope this blog has given you a little more insight into the processes of spinning wool.

I love this time of year as wool gets a spotlight to shout about all its wonderous characteristics, championing responsibly reared and spun wool and helping support and raise awareness of the wool industry. Wool is an essential natural fibre crafted into GS knitwear that can be worn and loved throughout the seasons and passed on to loved ones and beyond.
It is a forever piece.

Discover the collection of sweaters made with these beautiful yarns here.