John Arbon is well know to Selvedge readers. We featured his mill in issue 36 and covet his wears at our regular fairs. John is offering a rare glimpse into a world not usually accessible to the public, during their open weekend. He, his wife Juliet and their team will be on hand to give guided tours of the small-scale worsted spinning mill, one of only a handful still operating in the UK. In addition to a tour, visitors will have the opportunity to buy some half price yarns, fibre tops and socks. And to round things off nicely, there will be tea and home made cakes on hand.
John, an award winning De Montfort University graduate, who uses his 19 years of experience to create & develop his own range of luxury tops and yarns, incorporates local and rare breed fleeces wherever possible. He produces interesting blends of fibres, making perfect tops for hand spinners, which he spins into handknit yarns. His most sought-after ranges are his Alpaca Supreme - a gorgeous blend of Alpaca, Merino & Silk in natural shades, as well as Exmoor Sock Yarn made from the fleece of local sheep, the Exmoor Blueface. Viola, a blended dyed British merino tops, is made using a ‘dry dyeing’ technique which delivers a rich hand dyed yarn effect without the dirty fingers. He has also developed a range of functionally versatile socks, knitted here in the UK from hardy walking to cosy bed socks. This family run business has a simple philosophy at its heart- a return to old style textile manufacture… sustainably sourcing raw fibre locally wherever possible & converting it in Britain into high quality tops, yarns and textiles.
16-17 May, Sat-Sun 10-5 (free entry)
Fibre Harvest, Unit 6, Hacche Lane, Business Park, Pathfields Industrial Estate, South Molton, Devon EX36 3LH
T:+44 (0)1598 752490 john@jarbon.com www.jarbon.com
Keep going, love to learn about your work. One day I may get to visit from the other side of the world. Love merino wool being a Kiwi living in Australia.