Here is a warm & stylish cowl handwoven by Fiona, combining naturally dyed alpaca with a very fine Australian organic merino.
This cowl is a single length with a twist at the base so it sits comfortably at the neck. It pairs perfectly with open necked Tshirts, tunics and dresses.
At Ashculme Textiles we walk gently on this precious earth. I hand weave each piece at my studio in rural NSW, using the yarn from our small herd of Suri Alpaca. The process is mostly here on the farm – after shearing, we clean the fleeces before sending them to a local mill where small batches are washed, carded & spun. I use natural dyes working with rain water that flows directly from the tank and on into the garden after use. In my weaving the designs come as I weave, allowing my fingers to instinctively create as they work.
Our small herd of suri alpacas live here on our farm and I watch them grazing contentedly from the window while I weave. The merino is Australian and processed here in NSW, making our slow fashion products truely sustainable and ethical.
Alpaca fibre is resilient and this piece will keep its shape and softness for years.
Should you need to wash it, do so by hand only, in warm soapy water, agitating as little as possible. Squeeze out excess water by folding it in a towel and pressing down. Do not wring. Dry laid out flat. Not to be tumble dried. Iron with a cool iron, protecting it with a cotton or linen tea towel.
