Brita’s wool journey nears its end

Local lady Brita Hirsch has been making a ‘wool journey’ over the last couple of years, resulting in the creation of a unique Merino cloth.

Brita is ready to roll and is now seeking crowdfunding to pursue her goal of creating and supplying her extraordinarily rare cloth.

Brita embarked on the project when she failed to source a lightweight, soft wool cloth with true 100% British provenance. Potential customers were looking for a lighter and softer fabric – with tweed-like character, but she didn’t want to re-invent tweed.

Unable to find a suitable fabric Brita decided to investigate how she could produce it herself.

Over the following 18 months Brita sought out, then established a relationship with five Scottish Merino sheep farmers – and secured their entire 2016 ‘clip’ (wool harvest). Long-established woollen spinners R. Gledhill Ltd, based in the Yorkshire borders, offered to process the wool – even though, at this stage, no-one knew if the wool would lend itself into a woven cloth or even if it would take dye.

Fortunately, all Brita’s efforts and determination paid off and she took delivery of the incredibly fine, soft suiting cloth, weighing just under 12 oz in a classic Herringbone pattern with different colour ways.

Project backers will be able to acquire a piece of textile history in the form of a scarf, a length of the cloth, or even the first bespoke garment ever made from the fabric.

Rewards are ready and waiting to be shipped in time for Christmas (with exception of bespoke garments)

For more on the story and a chance to pledge your support, please go to Brita’s Kickstarter page:

Kickstarter: The Great Northern Cloth