Cumbrian Yarn : The Wool That Binds the County

Yarn production and the rearing of sheep have shaped the county of Cumbria, from ancient sheep breeds and farming methods impacting the landscape to yarn production and garment manufacture shaping many of the towns. Different breeds produce different yarns for different purposes, and today the Cumbrian sheep are competing on the world stage with yarns from around the globe.

In Cumbrian Yarn: The Wool That Binds the County Beth and Steve Pipe follow local yarn production from the sheep to the sweater. They describe the breeds of sheep associated with the county, look at how sheep farming has shaped the landscape over the centuries, explore how the wools differ and how fleeces are obtained and then turned into yarns, and also look at how spinning and dyeing has changed over time. Sheep rearing and yarn and wool production have been a vital part of Cumbria for centuries and all face new challenges today. This fully illustrated look into the world of Cumbrian wool provides a unique insight into its fascinating history and its importance today.

Beth & Steve returned to Steve’s roots in Cumbria in January 2011. What started out as an enthusiastic and popular blog developed into a strong following across social media and led to writing and photography commissions for a variety of magazines and websites. They currently work with a range of organisations and publications including Cumbria Wildlife Trust, The Outdoor Guide with Julia Bradbury and the Camping and Caravanning Club. As experienced hikers they tackle the outdoors in all weathers to find the spectacular and the dramatic be that a far-reaching panorama or a tiny ecosystem hidden away within limestone crags. Such is their knowledge of the Cumbrian landscape that they were invited by Kensington Palace to guide the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a recent walk. They’ve also taken a keen interest in the history and geology of the region.