Why We Add A Little Rose To Our Alpaca

31 Aug 2023

 

 

 

 

 

In our HERITAGE Handwoven tartan collection and MINTA contemporary luxury interiors collection we use the finest British alpaca mixed with luxurious rose fibre for increased softness, rose fibre is very much like silk and also adds a wonderful lustre.

For HERITAGE Handwoven, we use 70% alpaca and 30% rose and when we dye our yarn, a gentle fleck of rose remains white so really increases the luminosity of the finished pieces. In our MINTA collection, we use 85% alpaca and 15% rose, we were previously using 100% alpaca which was not stable enough for the millweaving process so we needed to find another option. The rose fibre stabilises the yarn and makes the weave more sustainable while also improving the quality of the product with a silkier finish. People always seem fascinated about our rose, so we thought it might be good to tell you more.

Here are some great facts on our rose fibre:

  • The rose fibre we use is a raw cellulose fibre produced made from the plant waste material of the Tropical Hibiscus
  • The Tropical Hibiscus is a tropical plant that is native to Asia, requiring specific growing conditions
  • Some roses will be grown specifically on farms for the creation of rose fibre, but equally waste trimmings and clippings will be used as a natural process to extract the material
  • All Hibiscus Rosa varieties are used in the production of the Hibiscus flower for tea, powdered supplements and colouring – as well supplying the fresh flowers/confetti market too
  • Once, the flowers have been harvested, the plant itself is chopped back to encourage new growth
  • This is when the waste stems/ bark is used to produce the rose fibre, and the cycle starts again.

You need to touch our pieces to feel how exquisitely soft they are but if you look at our HERITAGE Handwoven collection HERE and our MINTA interiors range HERE, you hopefully see for yourself how unique these pieces are.

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    Guardians of People's Stories

    We are guardians of people’s stories..⁠.

    We ourselves are stories that weave and take shape through the thread, thanks to the gentle hands of the weavers. 

    The yarn, the loom, our and your stories, are the tools we have chosen to make what cannot be seen or touched, real and wearable. We give shape to the values in which we believe, we give voice to stories to be shared with those dearest to us, forever. ⁠

    Not just exquisite works of art to wear, but ambassadors, ‘talking’ objects, timeless storytellers of meanings and values that we want to preserve and pass on. ⁠

    Watch our weavers at work in our Atelier

    Meet Our Artisans

    Meet Isabelle, one of our talented handweavers! 

    Isabelle has long had an interest in textiles, ever since her grandmother taught her to sew.

    She discovered weaving when visiting universities before applying to study. Immediately captivated by the woven textile displays at Loughborough University – the home of our George Wood looms – She became fascinated by how these complex woven structures could be created from just a few cones of yarn.

    Isabelle enjoys the slow, hands-on process of weaving, appreciating how it demands your full and present focus, and is always excited to share the complexities of handweaving to our visitors.

    Meet Our Artisans

    Meet Helen, one of our talented handweavers! 

    As an advocate for sustainability and ethical production, handweaving appealed to Helen as the embodiment of slow, responsible craft.

    She fell in love with the challenging yet meditative weave process during her textile degree at the Glasgow School of Art.

    Helen adores that she can name the alpacas in the pieces that she weaves, as this level of provenance imbues the pieces with deeper meaning for both weaver and future owner.  

    Made from 100% British Alpaca

    We choose 100% undyed British alpaca fiber for our designs because it embodies the values we hold dear: sustainability, durability, and unparalleled luxury. Each fleece is sourced from carefully chosen UK farms where animal welfare is a top priority. 

    Our close relationships with breeders enable us to trace many of our yarns back to the individual alpacas, ensuring exceptional quality and transparency. The alpaca’s fleeces are left undyed, allowing the natural richness and unique tones of their coats to shine through in every piece. 

    In the UK, only 5–10% of alpacas produce fleece of the exceptional quality we require. Every fiber is meticulously selected for its fineness, crimp, luster, and colour, ensuring our pieces meet the highest standards of luxury and craftsmanship. 

    Step into the world of handweaving our Heritage Collection

    Step into the world of handweaving our Signature Collection

    The Craft of Handweaving

    It has taken years for our weavers to attain the skill and knowledge required to create our handwoven items.

    Handweaving takes precision and patience, with each warp prepared by hand and meticulously threaded through the shafts of the loom. Once weaving is complete there is a lengthy finishing process involving darning, stitching, washing and brushing – all by hand.

    It can take our handweavers anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks to complete one of our Signature pieces. 

    Step into the world of handweaving...

    Inspired by Scottish Landscapes

    Each piece in our Heritage handwoven collection has been inspired by Araminta’s deep love for the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape.

    From the golden glow of the beech woodlands surrounding her family home in the Royal Deeside Corridor during autumn, to the ethereal light of the Scottish Highlands at dawn and dusk, the landscape is a constant source of inspiration for Araminta. The shifting interplay of colours, textures, and natural rhythms informs each handwoven piece, translating fleeting moments into timeless design.

    Any moment in time could become Araminta’s next creation.

    Meet Our Artisans

    Meet Lisa, one of our talented handweavers! 

    Lisa studied weaving at Heriot Watt University, in the borders of Scotland – an area renowned for its textile production.

    She always enjoyed creating things and was recommended to study textiles by her art teacher. When first starting out in her weave degree, she found the slow process of setting up challenging, yet today it’s her favourite part.

    She finds peace whilst threading the loom, enjoying and embracing the flow.  

    Handwoven in our Edinburgh Atelier

    Each piece has been lovingly handwoven and finished in our Edinburgh Atelier by our team of handweavers on vintage George Wood looms.

    Araminta Campbell is one of the largest employers of handweavers in Scotland, fostering employment for talented craftspeople in Scotland plays a vital role in preserving the rich legacy of Scottish textile craftsmanship. Every thread woven in the Atelier carries with it the heritage and passion of centuries-old traditions, brought vividly to life through contemporary designs, and the work of our talented weavers.  

    The Craft of Handweaving

     

    It has taken years for our weavers to attain the skill and knowledge required to create our handwoven items.

    Handweaving takes precision and patience, with each warp prepared by hand and meticulously threaded through the shafts of the loom. Once weaving is complete there is a lengthy finishing process involving darning, stitching, washing and brushing – all by hand.

    When you choose one of our handwoven treasures, you’re not just owning a piece of Scotland’s rich textile heritage – you’re connecting with the hands that brought it to life.

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