Wool is an increasingly valuable and versatile material that has been used by artisans in the Brittany region for centuries to make warm and durable clothing.
Here are some of the different ways to work wool into clothing:
Knitting : You've probably seen it done before; it's a hand-weaving technique that involves threading knitting needles with wool and passing it over and under the needles to create a fabric. Breton knitters are known for their hand-knitted wool sweaters, which are very warm and comfortable.
Spinning : Spinning is the process of transforming raw wool into woolen threads. Breton artisans often use spinning wheels to spin wool, which consist of a handle with a manually operated wheel to twist the wool into thread. Much more efficient machines are now used, but the spinning wheel exudes authenticity.
Dyeing : Dyeing is the process of coloring wool. Breton artisans often used plants and minerals to dye wool different colors, creating unique shades of color for their woolen garments.
Weaving : Weaving is the process of creating fabric by intertwining woolen threads. Breton artisans often used hand or mechanical looms to weave woolen fabrics to make clothing. It is through this process that we can determine the thickness of our wool.
In our workshop we knit wool yarn on knitting machines.
