How Our Wool Is Made
Where our wool comes from
We collect fleeces directly from a small number of farmers in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The type and number of fleeces collected determine what the mill can produce.
This means every batch is unique and naturally limited in number.
Preparing the raw fleece
When a fleece is collected straight after shearing, it needs some careful preparation before it can be spun. Two key steps in this process are skirting and dagging.
Skirting
The fleece is spread out and the outer edges are trimmed away. These edges are usually shorter, less consistent, or not as soft as the main body of the wool. Removing them means the remaining fleece is more even and ready for the next stage.
Dagging
Any small patches of wool that are tangled or less clean are also taken off. It helps ensure the fleece is in its best condition.
From raw fleece to workable fibre
Once the fleece has been skirted and dagged, it is ready to go to the mill. This is where raw wool is transformed into materials that can be used for making textiles and craft products.
From fibres to finished wool products
At the mill, the wool goes through several stages
Washing (scouring)
The fleece is gently cleaned to remove natural oils and any remaining dust.
Carding
The fibres are brushed and aligned, turning the fleece into soft, airy rolls or batts.
Spinning
The carded wool can be spun into yarn, ready for knitting, weaving, or crochet.
Felting preparation
Alternatively, the wool can be left as carded batts or tops, ideal for felting and other craft uses.
We are proud to work with two of the last remaining traditional mills in the UK:
Shire Mill
The Natural Fibre Company.
Through their expertise, our raw fleeces are transformed into high-quality wool products.
By using only this traditional method, we also ensure we are preserving an historic British industry for the future.
Photo Credit: Shire Mill 2025