We’re so pleased to now be stocking these amazingly cosy woolly hats by Zoë Lyne of the Wool Gatherers Workshop. Locally hand spun wool from Dartmoor sheep and then locally hand machine knit by Zoë in Chagford!
‘Hi, I’m Zoë and the maker behind The Woolgatherers Workshop.
The Woolgatherers Workshop is a knitwear studio based in Chagford, Dartmoor.
The project started with a homecoming and a woolgathering, and a view to do things differently. Embracing slow sustainable fashion, but more than that, a completely local and holistic approach to design. A thoughtful design practice that is based on an appreciation of materials.
After a year interning in the fashion industry I had an increased awareness of the harmful nature of the industry that is based on high-speed turnover, overproduction and waste. Which led me to feeling extremely disillusioned with what I had been working towards throughout my knitwear degree and the realisation that it wasn’t congruent with my values.
I knew I wanted to continue exploring knitwear in a hands-on, process-led way, and opted to return home to Dartmoor. As the landscape and heritage around me is a continued source of inspiration.
Through my connection to local shepherds I started my woolgathering as a way to reconnect to my own knitwear practice and expand my knowledge of the processes behind wool production. Through this connection to the farming community I have seen first hand the pitiful price paid for wool to the local farming community, wool is no longer seen as profitable, with farmers even resorting to burning their wool. It will cost a farmer more in petrol to take wool to be sold to the British wool board than what they are paid for it.
Through the Woolgatherers Workshop I am able to pay a fair price for wool, this honours the heritage of the wool industry of Dartmoor and also provides a lifeline to the local heritage rare breeds; from farms that work in conjunction with nature with commitments to farming in ethical and sustainable ways.
The Wool Gatherers Workshop is a project rooted in a deep connection to process and materials; honouring an ancestral practice. A Commitment to wool production, spinning, weaving and knitting.
The heart of my knitwear design practice is centred around the human body and its connection to its environment, our garments act as a bridge between ourselves and the landscape around us, this connection goes much further than the physical relationship but into the realm of ancestry and tradition and what connects us to our landscape through materials and rituals of making. Through honouring these traditional practices and looking beyond the physicality of an object to the stories which connects us.’ @thewoolgatheresworkshop
