Wool is the snuggly fibre which grows on the backs of our sheep. You’ll sometimes see it tangled up in the brambles of a hedgerow on a springtime walk, or perhaps being swooped up by a bird to insulate its nest for autumn. Every year, around the end of spring, farmers all over the UK shear their sheep - it's like a haircut! Shearing keeps the sheep cool in the warmer months and reduces the risk of parasitic infestation and disease, so it's an important aspect of animal welfare. We then collect up these fleeces and give them a new lease of life in the form of woollen yarn.

Our sheep will grow their new coats ready for each winter, meaning that their fleeces are constantly being renewed and replaced. For us, this means a fibre which won’t run out and won’t cost the planet either. Wool is part of the natural carbon cycle, meaning that it is made from renewable atmospheric carbon. This means that a life cycle assessment of wool would find that it has a net zero impact on global atmospheric CO2 levels - none is created or destroyed at any point. As such, wool is one of the most renewable fibres out there.

As a totally naturally, stunningly sustainable fibre, wool is also completely biodegradable. This means that anything which doesn’t quite make the grade for yarn can be used as compost for vegetable gardens and will eventually decompose and nourish the ground beneath us, just as it protected the sheep on which it grew.

Wool is completely breathable due to the air pockets between the crimped fibres. These air pockets offer insulation as well as allowing moisture to pass easily through the fleece, all whilst regulating the temperature. In winter their fleeces keep the warmth in, and in summer they wick away any excess moisture - the most versatile coat you could imagine!

Wool is also fire resistant, making it one of the safest fibres for clothing but also upholstery as well. The magic behind this surprising property of wool comes from its naturally high nitrogen and water content, as well as the cell membranes of the wool fibres which swell with heat and form a protective barrier against flames. You’ll never see a fiery sheep!

Finally, wool truly is the most versatile of fibres. It can be used for anything from clothing to carpets, even to soaking up oil spills! Thousands of years have gone into the development of wool fibre as our sheep breeds have evolved and adapted to the conditions which surround them. Nothing could be better suited to our environment than wool.