The evolving role of organic wool in a world of growing awareness and deeper responsibility.

The word sustainable is everywhere now - and that’s a good thing. More people than ever are thinking about where their materials come from, how they’re made, and the kind of world they want to support through their making.

For us at Garthenor Organic, that’s been part of the conversation from the very beginning.

We were the first company in the world to produce certified organic wool yarns, and in 2025, we’re still fully committed to working within that framework. Organic certification helps us stay rooted in a set of values that guide every part of what we do: protecting the land, respecting the animals, supporting small farms, and crafting yarns that do good as well as feel good.

It’s not about being better than anyone else - it’s about staying true to what we believe in. Organic isn’t a label for us. It’s a philosophy. A quiet, long-term commitment to doing things properly.

The Roots of Organic Wool

At its core, it’s about taking care at every stage: from the field to the finished skein. Organic certification covers how sheep are raised (on land free from synthetic pesticides or fertilisers), how the fleece is handled, how it’s cleaned and processed, and how the final yarn is made and labelled.

At the farm level, that includes thoughtful grazing systems, natural worming methods, and deep attention to animal welfare and biodiversity. It also means no GMOs, no preventative antibiotics, and a clear commitment to improving soil health over time.

Every fleece we source comes from certified organic farms across Britain - some we've worked with for decades. That traceability, right back to the field, is where our story begins.

Why It Still Matters

When we first started working with the Soil Association to create standards for organic wool back in the early 2000s, the idea of full traceability in the wool world was still emerging.

Now, many more people are invested in the provenence of the materials they use. And for us, certification is one way to make that tangible - not just in spirit, but in practice.

Here’s why we still place so much importance on it.

Farming That Respects the Land

So much of a yarn’s environmental story begins long before it’s spun. Organic farming focuses on regeneration - not extraction. That means no artificial inputs, and farming systems that work in harmony with the local ecosystem.

The farms we work with use rotational grazing and holistic land management that not only cares for the sheep, but also promotes long-term soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. Every decision is made with the future in mind.

Responsible Scouring

Once the fleece is graded and sorted, it’s gently scoured - washed to remove lanolin and dirt - at one of a pair of scouring houses in the UK. These specialist companies are GOTS-certified and share our commitment to clean, transparent processes.

They use responsible detergents, treat their wastewater, and avoid harsh chemical treatments - ensuring the fibre remains as pure and true to character as possible. Working with these partners means we can maintain our standards from fleece to finish.

Crafting in our own mill

After scouring, the fleece comes home to us - back to our own mill here in Wales. It’s here that we handle every remaining step: blending, carding, combing, spinning, and finishing each skein with careful attention.

Because we do it ourselves, we know exactly what goes into every skein. We can minimise waste, fine-tune blends by hand, and keep the entire process small-scale and closely monitored. Organic certification supports this hands-on approach - it’s part of what allows us to maintain integrity through every batch.

A Full-System Approach

Organic isn’t just about the sheep. Or the fibre. Or even the mill. It’s about all of it, working together.

It’s about thoughtful systems, seasonality, and accepting the rhythms of natural materials. It’s why we use breed-specific fleece. Why we work with small flocks. Why we embrace the variation that comes from working with real wool from real farms.

It’s also part of how we hold ourselves accountable to our climate-positive goals. Organic certification aligns with the values we already live by: low-impact production, long-term thinking, and a deep respect for land and animals.

A Continued Commitment

Over the years, there have been easier paths we could’ve taken - shortcuts in sourcing, convenience in production, compromises that would’ve made things simpler.

But that’s never really been the point for us.

Working organically means slower systems, more paperwork, and sometimes tighter choices - but it also means consistency, trust, and staying aligned with the things that matter most to us.

From the way the fleece is grown to the way it feels in your hands, organic is the common thread.

A Note to the Maker

When you choose an organic yarn, you’re making more than a material choice. You’re supporting farming systems that care for the soil. You’re valuing traceability, craftsmanship, and long-term sustainability. You’re becoming part of a wider story - one rooted in care and connection.

So yes, organic certification still matters in 2025.
And for us, it always will.