Demand for British wool has seen an upward curve in recent years. Although sheep grazing on hillsides are a common sight across the country, they have typically been bred for their meat with wool being something of a byproduct; however, it would seem that this is changing.
With the excellent qualities of wool well-known, it is being used in an ever-greater range of products in which it can be put to good use. Durable, cosy, and soft, it is ideal for outer clothing pieces such as blazers and woollen coats. Merino wool in particular is delightfully soft against the skin, making it ideal for soft winter jumpers.
Not just for jumpers
Many of us might think of wool as only being usable in clothing but it has so many other day-to-day uses around the home: chunky yarn blankets, mattresses, and carpets to name just a few. It is strong, washable, and very insulating, making it an ideal product not only for tweed coats but also for the filling inside winter jackets.
A resurgence in handmade
People are not only buying pre-made products but also there has been an increase in the number of people buying British wool from stockists such as Wool Couture to make their own on-trend chunky yarn throws. These luxuriously warm and soft blankets are perfect for keeping the winter chill away. There has also been quite a fashion movement bubbling along, with chunky scarves, sumptuously soft knitted gloves and even knitted bracelets gracing the shelves of shops across the nation.
A material to last
Fast fashion has arguably had one of the biggest impacts on the British wool trade over the past couple of decades. High street and online shops have both been guilty of selling items at pocket money prices that people wear for a short while and then dispose of. At long last, a resurgence is blossoming in people’s preference for buying things built to last. British wool is one such example, with shoppers knowing that an investment in a woollen piece is going to last.
