Jo Gingell

Gweithdy Llwyngwril

Jo has been spinning wool for more than 40 years, for most of that time using wool from her own organically raised Hebridean sheep and organic wool from other breeds as well as speciality fibres such as alpaca and mohair. These were so hard to come by at then beginning, so she produced cashmere and mohair herself on her farm in Wiltshire, although not very successfully! Fortunately, it is easier to get the raw product these days so, as a retirement project, she taught herself to weave (and is still experimenting and learning!) and continues to spin much of the yarn by hand.

Using the finest quality sheep and alpaca wool and silk she creates unique yarns which are then hand woven into one-off fabrics and items with hand powered equipment in Llwyngwril, North Wales. Designing and creating the yarns is one of the chief joys for Jo, though each being unique makes it difficult when asked for a duplicate! She uses 100% natural materials, organically produced wherever available. Some of the yarn is bought ready spun and this is always organic. This makes the items produced as carbon neutral as possible. She qualified as a harness maker in the 1990’s and although her hands are not up to that anymore, the skills and tools are useful for handmade leather bags and the straps of fabric ones.

This year’s scarves and small bags contain 20% - 50% silk with organically produced Falkland Islands Merino type wool or the finest Shetland - moorit or katmoget. The large bags and cushions are usually made of British wool - either naturally coloured rare breed wool or dyed Shetland

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