Meet the Maker - Burnfoot Wool
We have been excited to have a selection of yarns from local producers Burnfoot Wool for sale in our Scrap Store, although they flew off the shelves and we will be looking forward to a restock!
We were keen to find out more about this local business and what has led them to making quite a splash in the local textiles scene.
My name is Gillian Elliot and along with my Husband Andrew and Mother In Law Anne we are the proud producers behind Burnfoot Wool.
We are based at Burnfoot Farm in the beautiful Ewes Valley situated in the Scottish Borders. We are surrounded by rolling hills, and whether we are walking them on a sunny day or working sheep in the pouring rain there is something quite magical about them.
Aside from the day job, I also help farm our flock of 1500 New Zealand Romney x South Country Cheviot sheep.
It was whilst working with the sheep, myself and Andrew had a brainwave and thought wouldn’t it be good if we could use this wool ourselves! This was in 2020 and by 2021 I had started looking into the process, washing, carding, spinning and everything else in between. After realising how much work was involved and a discussion with Andrew & Anne we decided to look for a Mill to support us on our journey. Being a keen crocheter I wanted to create knitting wool and Andrew wanted to produce Lambswool blankets. As soon as I was given the go ahead I was like a dog with a bone!
At the beginning of 2022 I got in touch with Lynn Elliot from Elliot’s Shed whose advice was invaluable, he suggested I speak to the Halifax Spinning Mill. In the October, after many phone calls with Paul Crookes we took 60kg of raw Lambswool and Shearling wool to Bridlington. We decided to create Natural Weaving Wool and DK Blended Natural Wool and by the end of 2022 we had achieved what we set out to do.
Heading into 2023 I have been completely blown away by the response we’ve had with our DK wool. After doing my first market in March we have sold out! Going forward we will be shearing lambs in August/September and I have got the wool booked into Halifax Spinning Mill. We are looking forward to stocking a larger volume and range of natural and blended, 4ply and DK Wools.
Following feedback from the Love Langholm Local market and messages I have had since I may have to look into further products including whether it is viable to card wool myself for the felters out there.
As I mentioned above, Andrew wanted Lambswool blankets so we have had weaving wool spun with help from FTS Dyers, Drove Weavers & Schofields and we hope to have blankets in the next few months. When looking into making blankets one thing we all agreed on was we wanted to keep everything as local as possible, to give us a true Langholm blanket.
I am so grateful to everyone who has helped us on our journey so far, those who have listened to my ramblings and have explained when I have had a look of absolute confusion on my face. Emma is one of them! We are lucky to have this great community us and although new venture has been a massive learning curve I have loved every minute and I hope my passion comes through in what we are doing. I am very excited for the next chapter.
You can follow Burnfoot Wool as they continue their journey on their Facebook Page.
