In the UK, most wool is sold through British Wool, which plays a central role in collecting, grading and marketing the national wool clip.
For many small-scale producers working with their own fleece, it can make sense to begin outside of that system — developing products at a smaller scale and working more directly with fibre.
This is how I began.
After writing about this approach, I was contacted by Andrew Hogley, CEO of British Wool, who invited me to meet. There was a clear understanding of why small-scale producers sometimes need to work differently in the early stages, and a recognition that British Wool has a role to play in supporting that journey.
Over time, that relationship has grown. As our own wool business has developed, we have begun working more closely with British Wool and are now licencees.
But it took time to reach that point.
When we began shaping Farmer’s Yarn, we were open about what we were doing and shared it with British Wool. We were mindful of how it might be perceived, but the response was supportive. There was a shared understanding that strengthening the value of British wool requires a range of approaches, including those working at a smaller scale.
Farmer’s Yarn focuses on supporting those early stages.
For many producers, working with smaller quantities of wool presents practical challenges. Around 500kg is often the minimum volume required for commercial scouring, and below that scale, producers tend to work with smaller mills.
This creates a space where small-scale supply networks can develop. Where relationships between farmers, processors and makers are closer, and where fibre can be understood and handled more directly.
Farmer’s Yarn exists within that space.
It supports producers working at smaller volumes, helping them develop their products, their relationships and their understanding of wool.
As those businesses grow, many will move into the wider British Wool system.
In this way, Farmer’s Yarn and British Wool work alongside one another — supporting different stages of the same journey.