West Wales Wool Trail
Wales is of course famous for its rich heritage of the woolen
industry. So apart from meeting numerous sheep when traveling in West Wales
there are lots of places of interest for fiber enthusiasts. Small woollen
mills in remote valleys as well as galleries and workshops of fibre artists
offer a warm welcome. Here just a few:
The Museum of the
Welsh Woollen Industry in Dre-fach Felindre sits in the heart of what
was once known as the 'Huddersfield of Wales', where over fifty mills once
sustained a thriving industry. With its mill in operation for over 100
years, the Museum tells the story of a rural community that depended on
spinning and weaving for its livelihood, and forms a vital part of the
industrial history of Wales. The Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry is
currently closed for an exciting phase of redevelopment and will reopen in
spring 2004. The developments will include the repair of the listed mill
buildings and the provision of improved visitor facilities, dedicated
educational facilities and modern interpretation of the collections.
Melin Tregwynt is
a beautiful whitewashed mill, owned by the same family since 1912 and located in
a remote wooded valley on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast of Wales.
Solva Woollen Mill
Manufacturers
of quality woven floor rugs and carpets established in 1907. Now also a popular
tourist attraction, visitors can see the factory
working and visit the shop
which stocks a wide range of woollen goods
Curlew Weavers
produce a wide range of woollen fabrics and products in tweed, flannel, dress
materials and upholstery fabrics. Their garments range from casual tops, skirts
and dresses to capes and coats for more formal wear.
Positioned in the heart of the Teifi
Valley, Rock Mill, a
Grade II listed mill survives as a working legacy to a once great woollen
industry. Built in 1890 by the great-grandfather of the present owner. It is the
last of the working waterwheel-powered Welsh woollen mills. Spinners and weavers
of traditional designed tapestry, bedspreads, blankets, throws, knee, travel and
floor rugs, shawls, scarves, ties: also hand-knitted aran and much more all sold
in the mill shop.
Blueberry
Angoras Luxurious yarns and hand-knitted
garments in fine quality mohair and natural hand-spun wools. Woven goods
including rugs, throws and cushions. Beautiful angora goat skin rugs, delicate
cobweb scarves and comfortable socks. Spinning and weaving equipment.
The
Honorwood Flocks Small farm with flocks of
Shetland, Icelandic, Jacob and Soay sheep, Angora goats and a herd of Longhorn
cattle. Our flocks produce super-soft Shetland knitting wools and luxurious fine
mohair yarns in natural and hand-dyed colours. Also available - hats, scarves,
shawls, jumpers, etc. made from these quality yarns and interesting fleeces for
hand spinners.
Ty
Hên Angoras produce
prize-winning hand-knitted garments, both natural and hand-dyed. The kid mohair
comes from their own prize-winning flock of angora goats.
Preseli Mohair Centre Exclusive
garments and quality mohair knitting yarn are spun from the fleece produced by
the flock of angora goats which are farmed here in the Preseli hills. The best
of this fleece is spun locally into smooth lustrous yarn which is washed in soft
spring water before being dyed into subtle and vibrant colours. There is a small
showroom where there is also a range of walking socks, hats, stoles, locally
woven travel rugs, heirloom hand-crocheted babywear, angora goat skins and
unique goat china available. More info under http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk
food, art and craft
Handweaving by Riitta
Sinkonnen Davies A small workshop specialising in linen weaving. There is
always a variety of work in progress on different looms, and during the summer
flax is grown in the garden. A wide range of products is available for sale from
rugs, cushions and colourful table linens to pictures, wall hangings and
greetings cards.
Snail
Trail Handweavers A small interesting rural studio nestling in open
farmland. Martin weaves colourful "one-off" rugs, wallhangings,
cushions, scarves and fabrics and specialises in the Ikat dyeing technique.
Martin welcomes commissions. He offers a special custom service to match or
complement your own colour schemes and can re-create historical textiles. Martin
and Nina run weekly residential or non-residential courses in weaving, spinning
and dyeing from Easter to September according to demand. Courses are suitable
for all levels from absolute beginner to advanced student. With a maximum of
six, students are guaranteed personal attention. Community education classes are
held every Wednesday throughout the winter
The Wool Gallery was formerly known as The Sheep Shed.
Come and see the prize winning flock of Jacob sheep and Angora goats. Exclusive
hand knitted garments, made to measure if required, from our own natural or hand
dyed Jacob wool. There are throws, hats, scarves, shawls, hearthrugs, and hand
dyed or natural coloured knitting wool in pure Jacob or Jacob/mohair mix.
Sheepskins, baby fleeces, seat pads and cushions, buttons, knitting patterns,
spinning fleeces, spinning equipment and dyes can be bought in our large studio.
Mohair socks, throws, knitwear, shawls and knitting wool in natural and hand
dyed colours. Spinning and weaving demonstrations throughout the year. A gallery
with paintings by local artists, hand thrown pots, hand made jewellery and
baskets, all locally made. More info under http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk
food, art and craft
For more general wooly links see the
links page.
This list only contains websites and
galleries that I know of, if there is anything that you think should be included
please email me at bettina@dyffrynisaf.fsnet.co.uk
