Creating Bespoke Yarns with DOAS, Garthenor, RiverKnits, Marina Skua & JAT
Lets face it, the best thing about owning a mill is being able to make completely unique yarn, using any blend of fibres and colours we can dream up. We reckon that the joys of working with a unique yarn certainly carry through and enrich ones crafting experience – and, of course, the delight encapsulated in the finished item too!
For this panel, we’ve gathered together a few of our favourite yarn companies to tell us about their own journey with creating unique / small batch bases using UK fibre and production. And why they think it is worth taking those extra steps to create something special, yarn and fibre with soul…
If you click the link below then you will be taken to our booking system on Eventbrite to complete your booking. You’re also more then welcome to give us a bell (+44 (0)1769 579861) and book over the phone if you would prefer. Thanks!
Location: The Courtroom, South Molton Town Hall, EX36 3AB
Time: 12:30 pm – 1.30 pm (45 mins + Q&A)
Date: Saturday 17th June, 2023
Price: £5.00
For more information about our Mill Open Weekend celebrations please visit our website.
We are so looking forward to throwing our doors open and inviting you inside for our MOW celebrations!
– The Mill Folk x
Tutor Bio:
DOAS (Daughter of a Shepherd): Rachel will also be one of our MOW vendors, its a treat to have her back again! Rachel’s journey began with the 2015 clip of the Hebridean sheep who graze Escrick Park Estate, shepherded by her father, John Atkinson. With a firm commitment to using only 100% British wool from shepherds and producers within the UK, she aims to support all aspects of British manufacturing in her processing and production. We make her Heritage and Brume yarns.
Garthenor: Garthenor is a family business run by Sally and her son, Jonny. They make only 100% certified organic yarn without compromise, ever. Yarn that is totally traceable, completely climate positive and outstandingly organic. They were the first company in the world to make yarn that was certified organic from sheep to shelf, and have never stopped being planet-loving trailblazers. These rigorous standards can make life tricky, so Jonny is currently in the middle of setting up his own mill in Cardigan. website: garthenor.com
RiverKnits: RiverKnits is run by Becci and Markus. They first started dyeing yarn at home on their narrowboat and now work out of a studio and live on their narrow boat. Their colour inspiration is drawn from life on the canals and rivers, some directly from the wildlife and landscape, and some from the history of the waterways. They are both knitters and crocheters who love wool, especially when it’s sustainably sourced. Over the last few years RiverKnits have been creating their own bespoke bases to dye on. website: riverknits.uk
Marina Skua: All the yarn Marina offers is made from locally sourced fibre, grown by happy, well-treated animals on farms she’s visited numerous times. It is then spun at small mills in the UK. This gives it a real character – whether it’s a matte, grippy wool that’s ideal for colourwork or a soft, delicate alpaca with luminous drape. website: marinaskua.com
John Arbon Textiles: Here at JAT, our production concept is simple – a return to old style manufacturing, sourcing raw fibre (locally wherever possible) and converting it in the UK into high quality, luxury yarns and fibre tops. We use predominantly vintage machinery that we have lovingly restored and maintained to create wonderful artisan goods. All our Yarn and Tops ranges are blended and designed by our small team at the Mill, inspired by the natural world around us and our interests in art, music and nostalgia.
