Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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Our Website: jarbon.com

This talk was filmed at our in-person Mill Open Weekend, June 2026. John Arbon Textiles directors Sonja and Helena discuss a history of British sheep breeds and the unique properties each one brings to our range of yarns and fibre tops.

Massive thanks to everyone who joined us for our Mill Open Weekend celebrations, it was a pure delight to host so many of you down in Devon. Make sure to check out our plans for the next open weekends here: jarbon.com/mill-open-weekend

ITEMS MENTIONED:
Sonja's sweater -
Anjou pullover by Alexandra Liang: ravelry.com/patterns/library/anjou-4
Helena's sweater - Le Radieux: ravelry.com/patterns/library/le-radieux
British Sheep and Wool: A Guide to British sheep breeds and their unique wool by British Wool
The Annual (issue four): jarbon.com/products/the-annual-issue-four
Our Yarn Ranges: jarbon.com/collections/by-range
Our Tops Ranges: jarbon.com/collections/by-range-fibre


TIME SIGNATURES
00:00 - Introduction
02:34 - A History of UK Wool Production
08:15 - The Start of Selective Breeding in Sheep
10:38 - The Rise of Synthetics
13:04 - The Globalisation of Wool Processing
14:50 - UK Wool Types and Grading
22:57 - Other Fibres
25:15 - The Breeds We Use
37:30 - Other Fibres We Use
38:52 - Our Blends and Their Characteristics
50:58 - Q&A

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