A Great British Wool Gathering
British wool is enjoying a revived recognition and demand. With the advent of modern processing technologies, wool can now be made available in a wider range of new products engineered to meet modern performance expectations.
Traditional Wool Challenges
Like all wools, natural British fleece is understood to be beautifully washable. However, the traditional drawback for many uses and people is the necessity for delicate hand washing or expensive dry cleaning to prevent shrinkage and felting.
In today’s fast-paced world, the added expense and time involved can be prohibitive—deterring wider usage despite a clear consumer preference for natural fibers over synthetic alternatives.
Machine Washable & Machine Dryable
Ackroyd and Dawson’s subsidiary, A Great British Wool Gathering, has developed an innovation that subjects natural sheep’s wool fleece to a series of advanced enhancements and rigorous trials.
The result is a user- and environmentally friendly yarn product that is unique: it is not only fully machine washable, but proven to be machine dryable while retaining all the natural soft characteristics and natural strength of remarkable British wool.
Versatile Applications
Handknitting & Apparel
Ideal for use by the knitwear sector and handknitting in traditional knits such as Fair Isle and Aran jumpers.
Tailoring & Suiting
Equally suitable for woven fabrics created for high-performance suiting, jacketing, and outerwear.
Interiors & Furnishings
Perfect for residential and commercial interiors requiring knit or woven goods, including furniture upholstery and soft furnishings.
100% Sustainable
Replaces synthetic and petrochemical yarns with Britain’s best renewable, natural fiber.
From Glastonbury Lake Village to Next-Generation Textiles
From a woolly beginning, the British textile industry used native wools to build a world-renowned trade. This story historically traces back to early settlers at the Glastonbury Lake Village, where ancient spinning and weaving artifacts were first discovered.
Throughout the millennium, British wool has improved and expanded its pure breeds. While mid-20th-century synthetic and petrochemical fibers temporarily replaced natural textiles, science is now proving that natural fibers are far superior for both human well-being and the health of the planet.
British wool is superior to other wools due to its variety of fiber types, lengths, crimp, durability, and resilience. With our new washable and dryable yarn innovation, British wool is set to move ahead and lead the global textile market once again.
Inquire About Our Easy-Care Yarns
Partner with Ackroyd & Dawson to introduce machine-washable, 100% natural British wool into your collections.
Contact Our Textile Team