Two hours north-east of Lisbon, the road climbs into the Serra da Estrela, Portugal's highest mountains. The mill that spins our wool sits at the bottom of a valley there, beside the river that once turned its looms.
It has been run by the same family since 1951. Today the third generation buys fleece from shepherds in the hills around it, washes it in the river water, and spins it slowly enough that the yarn keeps the softness of the wool.
From fleece to yarn
01
Shearing
Once a year, in late spring.
02
Washing
In river water, with no harsh chemicals.
03
Carding
The fibres are combed parallel.
04
Spinning
Slowly, to keep the yarn soft.
We buy a season's yarn at a time and knit only what we expect to sell. When a colour runs out, it runs out — and the next batch comes from the next shearing.
