Most hikers learn the hard way that cheap socks are a false economy. A few miles into a long walk, the blisters start, the feet overheat and by the end of the day you’re pulling off socks that have bunched, thinned and lost whatever shape they started with. The right socks make a difference to […]

Hampshire sheep, particularly the hardy Hampshire Down breed, play a crucial role in maintaining the UK’s biodiverse chalk grasslands. Also known as chalk downland or lowland calcareous grassland, these softly rolling pastoral landscapes are alive with aromatic, flower-rich turf, teeming with insects. This habitat is mostly found on the low chalk or hard limestone hills […]

Across the UK, there is growing interest in where materials come from and how they are made. We sat down with Suzi Park, founder of Cambrian Wool. Whose work over the past decade has focused on rebuilding a stronger, more visible future for Welsh wool. Through the Cambrian Wool project and her involvement in the […]

Wool has always been more than a fibre. For centuries, it has woven together communities, livelihoods, and stories. And women have been at the heart of that tapestry. From traditional craftswomen to modern innovators, women’s connection to wool has shaped its history and continues to drive its future. A Historical Thread Historically, wool production and […]

For many people working with wool, their connection to fibre begins with landscape, community and a deep respect for the materials they work with. That’s certainly true for Kate Stalker, founder of OUBAS Knitwear, based in Cumbria. As part of our International Women’s Day series highlighting women shaping the wool industry, Kate shares how landscape, […]

When it comes to knitting, few materials can match the versatility, and practicality of wool yarn. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been knitting for years, wool has a special place in every crafter’s toolkit. From cosy wool jumpers to stylish wool cardigans, snug wool socks, and even hoodies or beanies, wool allows you […]

There’s a particular look to an old English parkland: ancient oaks spaced wide across rolling grass, sunlight all the way to the ground, short grass but speckled with flowers, veteran trees humming with insects, birds dotting between trunks. This unique landscape, known as wood-pasture, is one of the richest habitats in the UK – and […]

Wool insulation is a cost effective, innovative, flexible and safer option for insulation homes and buildings. Most people will think about home insulation and the thermal performance it provides, but there’s two more benefits it can provide that often go overlooked: its ability to purify indoor air quality and absorb sound. Purifying the Air to […]

For many couples, bedtime can be a battleground. From snoring and cold feet to duvet hogging and “bed breath.” Almost one in seven Brits have even slept in separate rooms to escape a partner’s “sleep icks.” But new research suggests the real culprit might not be your partner – it could be your duvet. Heat, […]