Uploaded July 2021 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
Our Website: jarbon.com
Wooltops Website: wooltops.co.uk/pages/get-in-touch
Pop him an email if you are interested in knowing more about his current selection.
TIME SIGNATURES
00:00 - intro
03:33 - Andrew talks about his background and how he became a wool trader
06:51 - Andrew discusses the importance of tractability in fibre sourcing
7:53 - What makes British wool unique is the nuanced grading and sorting
10:01 - Our double sorted BFL
10:57 - What is grading?
13:36 - What impacts fleece quality?
15:03 - Falklands Merino (which is the only kind we use here at JAT)
15:55 - How much fibre is removed during grading?
16:58 - What area of the sheep produces the best quality fleece?
17:11 - What is kemp?
17:53 - What impacts on fleece density?
19:10 - How the Wool Marketing Board (WMB) works
20:35 - We throw it open to your questions
21:13 - Is Wooltops your primary online outlet?
22:26 - How do your prices paid to the farmer compare to those paid by the Wool Board?
25:49 - What is Crimp?
28:25 - What is your favourite breed?
30:33 - Do you personally farm sheep for wool?
32:05 - What is sheep farming in the Falklands like?
35:21 - If British wool is the standard to aspire to why are the farmers paid so little and wool go to waste?
40:47 - Do you ever use lambs wool?
41:32 - What do you think is the future for British wool?
43:42 - What is John's favourite wool to spin?
46:04 - Why do you think it is money well spent paying for premium fibre?
49:14 - How is the current legislation supporting your sector and protecting your standards?
52:52 - That sheepy smell
54:23 - Outro
YARNS & FIBRE MENTIONED
Devon Double Sorted BFL: jarbon.com/product/bluefaced-leicester-devon-double-sorted-top
Local Devon breeds: jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-fibre-content/local-devon-fibre-by-fibre-content
Falklands Merino: jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-fibre-content/merino
Falklands Corriedale:jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-fibre-content/corriedale-by-fibre-content
Devonia: jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-range/devonia
Appledore: jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-range/appledore-yarn
Many thanks to the glorious Andrew for taking the time to chat with us as part of our Mill Open Weekend, 2021 celebrations!
KEEP IN TOUCH
Sign Up for our Newsletter: jarbon.com/newsletter
Instagram: instagram.com/jarbontextiles
Facebook: facebook.com/jarbontextiles
Ravelry: ravelry.com/groups/john-arbon-textiles
Pinterest: pinterest.co.uk/jarbontextiles/_saved
Hope you enjoyed this episode! Please do let us know what you’re up to. We would love to know what you’ve been up to recently – and what is on your hooks and needles and bobbins, of course!
Our Website: jarbon.com
Wooltops Website: wooltops.co.uk/pages/get-in-touch
Pop him an email if you are interested in knowing more about his current selection.
TIME SIGNATURES
00:00 - intro
03:33 - Andrew talks about his background and how he became a wool trader
06:51 - Andrew discusses the importance of tractability in fibre sourcing
7:53 - What makes British wool unique is the nuanced grading and sorting
10:01 - Our double sorted BFL
10:57 - What is grading?
13:36 - What impacts fleece quality?
15:03 - Falklands Merino (which is the only kind we use here at JAT)
15:55 - How much fibre is removed during grading?
16:58 - What area of the sheep produces the best quality fleece?
17:11 - What is kemp?
17:53 - What impacts on fleece density?
19:10 - How the Wool Marketing Board (WMB) works
20:35 - We throw it open to your questions
21:13 - Is Wooltops your primary online outlet?
22:26 - How do your prices paid to the farmer compare to those paid by the Wool Board?
25:49 - What is Crimp?
28:25 - What is your favourite breed?
30:33 - Do you personally farm sheep for wool?
32:05 - What is sheep farming in the Falklands like?
35:21 - If British wool is the standard to aspire to why are the farmers paid so little and wool go to waste?
40:47 - Do you ever use lambs wool?
41:32 - What do you think is the future for British wool?
43:42 - What is John's favourite wool to spin?
46:04 - Why do you think it is money well spent paying for premium fibre?
49:14 - How is the current legislation supporting your sector and protecting your standards?
52:52 - That sheepy smell
54:23 - Outro
YARNS & FIBRE MENTIONED
Devon Double Sorted BFL: jarbon.com/product/bluefaced-leicester-devon-double-sorted-top
Local Devon breeds: jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-fibre-content/local-devon-fibre-by-fibre-content
Falklands Merino: jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-fibre-content/merino
Falklands Corriedale:jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-fibre-content/corriedale-by-fibre-content
Devonia: jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-range/devonia
Appledore: jarbon.com/product-category/yarns/by-range/appledore-yarn
Many thanks to the glorious Andrew for taking the time to chat with us as part of our Mill Open Weekend, 2021 celebrations!
KEEP IN TOUCH
Sign Up for our Newsletter: jarbon.com/newsletter
Instagram: instagram.com/jarbontextiles
Facebook: facebook.com/jarbontextiles
Ravelry: ravelry.com/groups/john-arbon-textiles
Pinterest: pinterest.co.uk/jarbontextiles/_saved
Hope you enjoyed this episode! Please do let us know what you’re up to. We would love to know what you’ve been up to recently – and what is on your hooks and needles and bobbins, of course!
