Located in the south west region of England, the Cotswolds are home to beautiful scenery, picturesque towns, and plenty of sheep.
The Cotswold sheep, commonly referred to as ‘Cotswold lions’, or the ‘Golden fleece breed’, have been in the Cotswold hills for centuries. A majority of sheep today are derived from a combination of our short-wooled native sheep, and the long-wooled sheep brought over by Romans in the first century A.D. Throughout the Middle Ages, these sheep were regarded as important exports, especially due to the natural lustre of the wool.
As a dual-purpose breed, the sheep tend to have coarse wool, making the wool exceedingly strong. This strength allows for any products to be particularly durable (especially for outerwear), and is often used by knitters to add strength to certain points, including sock heels, toes, and elbows. The long, staple length of the wool is also beneficial for beginner fibre artists, giving options that shorter wools don’t offer - allowing artists to explore different combinations. Furthermore, Cotswold wool has claimed to be the whitest of whites and takes to dye exceptionally well without losing lustre, making it comparable to mohair.
Cotswold wool is not only a great looking option, but also has all the benefits of any other wool. It is naturally biodegradable, fire-resistant, renewable, reacts to body temperature, odour-resistant, and easy to clean, making it an overall great option for clothing. Here at Beatrice Bayliss, we believe in providing an organic and sustainable alternative for fashion, all whilst highlighting UK based products and craftsmanship. Sustainability is at the forefront of what we do, whilst making products accessible, ensuring our items can truly last a lifetime.
Try our Cotswold wool collection today!
https://beatricebayliss.com/collections/bb-cotswold-knitwear
By Liv Whelan