The Alpaca & Rose Tweed
Sumptuous tweed handwoven on my Hattersley loom from luxurious 50% alpaca, 50% rose fiber yarn
First the rose fibers have to be created. The rose plants are broken down using an emzyme and the resulting soup is passed through a spinneret to create strands that can be collected as fiber. This is the same process as used to create bamboo, rayon and many other fibers however the manufactures of this rose fiber used a closed-loop system meaning no waste and significantly less environmental impact. It also doesn't alter the structure of the rose cellulose meaning it is still a natural organic product. The resulting fibers are incredibly soft, shiny and strong! The Border Mill, who also spin my gotland wool, then combine it with pure British alpaca for utter luxury! The blended fibers are carded, twisted into rolags, spun into single ply yarn, plied into two ply yarn and skeined. The skeins are individually hand dyed meaning each one has subtle variations and colour changes! I then laid extra for them to recone the yarn so we could use it for weaving.
When the yarn arrived Martha first made the warp, we beamed it onto the loom, then tied all 696 threads to the threads of the old warp. This was pulled onto the loom and weaving could finally start! Much slower than normal Martha had to take great care with this yarn as the slippery soft threads are harder to weave than regular yarn. Finally it was finished though and I could cut it into throws, scarves and neckwarmers. These I then washed by hand to remove any residues from the loom and excess dye! I then fringed the edges and topstitched for strength, then added labels and buttons.
It was definitely a labour of love (and of my wallet ) but oh my gosh so worth it, I have just about managed to choose my favourite one to keep for me
This is a properly limited edition collection, each one completely unique, I now only have one throw and a handful of scarves and neckwarmers left!
EU Safety Information:
Manufacturer: Miriam Hamilton, 22a Crossbost, Lochs, Isle of Lewis, HS29NP
Safety Warnings:
(for full technical details please visit https://www.westernislesdesigns.co.uk/eusafetyinformation)
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Accidental Strangulation: This is a rare but serious risk, especially for children. Scarves/shawls can get caught in playground equipment, escalators, or other machinery.
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Fire Hazard: Loose scarves/shawls, coat hems or sleeves, skirts and other textiles can accidentally come into contact with open flames or hot surfaces.
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Tripping and Falling: Long scarves/ skirts/ coats/ shawls can cause tripping if not carefully managed.
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Choking Hazard: For infants and small children, scarf/ shawl fringes, coat/ neck warmer buttons can pose a choking risk.
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Heat Exhaustion: In warmer climates, wearing a scarf/shawl or coat can lead to overheating and discomfort.
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Skin Irritation: Some materials may cause itchiness or allergic reactions.
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Entanglement: fabrics can get caught in doors, car seatbelts, or bicycle wheels.
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Restricted Movement: Depending on how they are worn, shawls/coats/skirts can restrict movement and make certain activities difficult.
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Suffocation Risk: For infants and small children, loose blankets or shawls can pose a risk of suffocation. It's recommended to use safe sleep practices, such as sleep sacks or wearable blankets, for babies.
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Tripping Hazard: A blanket left on the floor or hanging off furniture can be a tripping hazard. Poorly positioned rugs can also cause trips especially for older adults or individuals with mobility issues. Ensure items are placed in a safe position where they do not pose a risk
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Dust Mites and Allergens: Blankets and rugs can accumulate dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens if not cleaned regularly. This can worsen allergies or asthma symptoms. We would recommend regular airing/ handwashing of our products
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Fire Hazard: If a lampshade is too close to a hot light bulb, it can pose a fire risk. Always ensure there's sufficient space between the bulb and the shade, and use the correct wattage.
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Stability Issues: A lampshade that’s not securely attached can wobble or fall off, potentially causing the lamp to tip over. Ensure all shades are fitted correctly and the base is stable
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Cleaning Chemicals: Using harsh cleaning chemicals on certain materials can damage the lampshade or create toxic fumes. we provide care advice for all our products and would never recommend any chemical cleaning methods
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Paper Cuts: The edges of notebook pages can cause painful paper cuts if handled carelessly. Use with care.
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Allergies: Some people might be allergic to the materials used in the paper, ink, or binding of a notebook, causing skin irritation or respiratory issues. Immediately stop using it if you notice any irritation and inform us.
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Fire Hazard: Notebooks are made of paper, which is flammable. Keep them away from open flames and high heat sources to prevent fire risks.
Mitigation: my products are not intended for children, I would not recommend wearing them while operating machinery. Always make sure your clothing is securely fastened and not too long to avoid these potential hazards. The yarn/ fabric content of all products is clearly displayed on the order page so people with skin irritations can decide if it could cause an issue. Ensuring the correct fit/ length reduces risks and only wearing for appropriate activities e.g. do not drive while wearing a shawl if it restricts arm movement