Wool has featured as an integral part of human life for 12,000 years. Felting came before weaving or spinning and dates back to early Neolithic cultures.

The first felt evolved from wool placed under saddles where the sweat, heat and friction resulted in felt. This lead to blankets, socks, boots, hats clothing and carpets etc.

Nomadic tribes in Mongolia still use it for their movable tents (gers or yurts). The structure of wool fibres mean it absorbs moisture, insulates against heat and cold, resists flame and maintains its resilience.

Wool fibres consist of tiny scales which when rubbed together pull into irreversible tangles. Combine this with heat and moisture and the wool shrinks into felt.

The oldest carpet in the world from the 5th century BC was discovered inside the frozen tomb of a nomadic tribal chief in southern Siberia.

In China felt is sometimes made today as it was centuries ago and old felt used to make new. The old felt is layered with wool and fluffed with prongs, then dampened and rolled in yak skin with a pole as an axle. This is dragged behind a horse in circles and checked after an hour, with more water being added. Two hours later the process is still unfinished and will be continued the next day.

Chinese warriors wore felted boots and carried felted shields into battle.

In Turkey sheep herders shelter from the weather in felted Kepeneks. These look like sleeping bags with hoods open at the front and serving as coat, tent or blanket.

From these basic methods of felting for everyday functional items with a long life today we have come a long way. Our methods are refined but equipment minimal and so we are able to create lightweight and warm fashionable garments in a variety of wools and beautiful colours where design possibilities are unlimited.