Everything in our shop has started out in the fields of our Devon farm. Nestled on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, our flock of sheep includes a variety of breeds with different wool characteristics.
Beautifully hand crafted, unique piece.
100% Dartmoor Merino Wool
Hand knitted on Farm
Hand dyed on Farm
Back length approx 40cm
Width 32cm
We recommend hand washing with a no rinse wool wash as the best way to lift normal childhood mess and add softness to your garment. We are always happy to advise so get in touch if you aren't sure.
The Dartmoor Merino wool is unique to Rushlade. In 2018 we crossed the local rare breed Whiteface Dartmoor Ram (He was called Mat!) with our fabulous Merino ewes. The resulting wool gives you much of the amazing softness of Merino whilst making it a bit stronger and more durable. The yarn was a hit and we have been enjoying it since then. Shorn annually we then have our wool spun just up the road in Launceston. Back on the farm it is carefully hand dyed and knitted in our wool barn. Each piece is a completely unique, one off item that will make a perfect gift or something for you to treasure.
Created with love and care, traceable British wool products direct from the farm.
More about the sheep...
The Whiteface Dartmoor is our local rare breed hill sheep. They have a lustrous curly coat and and make great mothers. The Merino is a famous for its amazingly soft fibre. Soft because each individual strand of fibre is incredibly fine and therefore comfortable to wear against the skin. Crossing these breeds has given us a stronger animal and a stronger fibre which is still fabulous as a clothing fibre because it has a high comfort factor but will give us the mileage in wear.
The Knitting..
Without leaving the barn, the yarns go from dyeing to knitting. Hand knitted with needles and flat bed machines, everything is uniquely hand crafted.
The Farm...
Rushlade is home to Russ and Jess Steer and their children. The small farm is home to a small herd of pedigree Simmental Cattle and around 300 ewes from Dalesbred to Merino and many many breeds in between!! The wool company started in 2017 when Jess started to supply local spinners with raw fleece and whilst this continues today, we also sell yarns and knitwear. It is a small family business rooted in the farm and focused on the sheep and doing them justice by ensuring that the amazing fleeces that they produce are championed with quality British textiles.