Sheppey Pearls Collaboration

There is a rhythm to life on the Isle of Sheppey that has remained unchanged for centuries—the rolling tide of the Swale, the swaying marsh grasses, and the steady heartbeat of the flock. To hold a skein of Sheppey PearlS Wool is to hold six hundred years of English heritage, woven together with the spirit of the North Sea.

Long before the modern world rushed in, King Edward I recognized the unique spirit of this landscape, granting a wool charter that officially christened this place the "Island of Sheep." For six centuries, the Isle of Sheppey has been a sanctuary for weaving and spinning, where the salt air and rich pastures produce a fleece unlike any other.

The story of our wool begins on the rugged Dutch coastline, on the Island of Texel. It was there that the "Tessel" sheep (pronounced with a soft double 's') developed their legendary strength. Renowned for their well-developed rear legs and hardy constitution, these sheep were destined for greatness.

Today, that lineage thrives on Tadwell Farm, where the Kirk family continues a legacy of stewardship. Here, the Texel sheep graze on the lush Sheppey pastures of Queenborough, their wool absorbing the character of the land that has been dedicated to them since the Middle Ages.

What makes Sheppey PearlS truly special isn't just the history—it's the touch. Historically, this wool was the gold standard for hosiery products, back when spinning and weaving were the lifeblood of every home. Our wool is gentle on the Skin, unlike the coarse, "itchy" reputation of many traditional wools, the Texel fleece is celebrated for its remarkable softness. The natural crimp and fiber structure mean you can enjoy the warmth of 100% British wool from sheared fleece to the three or four strand product, without the irritation, by Blacker Sheep Wool Company from Launceston Cornwall, who incidentally spin all the wool from Shetland which is duly returned to Shetland for the islanders to knit .

The dyeing was completed by Ettrick Dyers of Selkirk by recommendation of Blacker Sheep, so the local product has a combined British value in production.

When you knit with Sheppey PearlS, you aren't just making a garment. You are picking up a thread that stretches back to the reign of kings, continuing a 600-year-old love affair between the island and its sheep.

Wool available to purchase from shop