Wool updates!!...
Posted by Zoe Fletcher on Thursday, May 20, 2010
I'm thinking of transferring my work updates to another blog...but until I have the time to copy everything over I think i'll keep it on here!
We'll i've been up and down the country this week, visiting home then going in search of sheep then visiting an amazing fibre processing mill in Yorkshire!
Why?...
For my new project I am focussing on drastic locality and exploring the possibilities for using locally produced fibres to create a high end luxurious knitwear collection - without all the air miles attached to it - utilising a highly abundant fibre now almost worthless to farmers compared to the meat industry...sheep fleeces! Wool has so many natural benefits but it still has a reputation with people of being bulky itchy and old fashioned...my challenge is to change all this!!
Here's a few photographs from my journey so far...
I got an amazing selection of fleeces from a local farmer in Horwich, including some hogs (fat lambs), gritstone's and a Jacob's fleece...so i'm very excited to see how these mix together!!
These are a couple of quick shots I took whilst being shown around The Halifax Spinning Company, it was amazing to see all the processes involved in producing yarn, and the sheer scale, time and effort it takes at each stage of production! I have left the fleeces with the lovely Paul...so watch this space for my new yarns...
We'll i've been up and down the country this week, visiting home then going in search of sheep then visiting an amazing fibre processing mill in Yorkshire!
Why?...
For my new project I am focussing on drastic locality and exploring the possibilities for using locally produced fibres to create a high end luxurious knitwear collection - without all the air miles attached to it - utilising a highly abundant fibre now almost worthless to farmers compared to the meat industry...sheep fleeces! Wool has so many natural benefits but it still has a reputation with people of being bulky itchy and old fashioned...my challenge is to change all this!!
Here's a few photographs from my journey so far...
I got an amazing selection of fleeces from a local farmer in Horwich, including some hogs (fat lambs), gritstone's and a Jacob's fleece...so i'm very excited to see how these mix together!!
These are a couple of quick shots I took whilst being shown around The Halifax Spinning Company, it was amazing to see all the processes involved in producing yarn, and the sheer scale, time and effort it takes at each stage of production! I have left the fleeces with the lovely Paul...so watch this space for my new yarns...
Currently undertaking a PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University within the MIRIAD post-graduate department, I am beginning a practice based academic journey into British wool fibres and new technologies within knitwear design.
Graduating with Distinction from a Masters in Fashion and the Environment at London College of Fashion, specialising in hand-knitting and the British Wool Industry,
I have worked on a number of knitwear collections (personal and external companies), whilst freelancing and researching for a number of exciting projects.
My work revolves around the idea of sustainable fashion from a knitted perspective and the different ways to achieve this incorporating the ideas of slow fashion into mainstream society.
I love knitting.
And wool.
And double sided sticky tape.
