At last, our very own wool has arrived.
On Friday we officially launched our very own University of Glasgow knitting yarn. Cochno Wool is a single origin, double knit worsted yarn in 4 colours – natural, University blue, slate grey and thistle pink – produced from the Scotch Mule sheep at the University of Glasgow’s Cochno Farm.
You can watch our film here:
https://twitter.com/uofglasgow/status/1063359988557582337?s=21
or on our twitter feed: @UofGknitting
The yarn is soft, silky and produces a very good stitch definition so ideal for textured work but also works with 2 stranded colour work.
This is a project we have nurtured for some time. Those of you who participated in our workshops will know how the Knitting in the Round project is committed to authenticity, sustainability and creativity. Our own wool meets these criteria – we are contributing to the University’s sustainability agenda, we have produced a yarn which can be traced back to the sheep on our farm and we anticipate it stimulating creativity not only in our staff and students but amongst those of you who knit with it.
The project has many people to thank:
The University of Glasgow Chancellor’s Fund generously supported a project which probably looked very out of the ordinary.
The University Farm, especially the former farm manager Stephen Jones and the current manager George King
The ball band design which features the Cochno Stone, a Neolithic stone with cup marks located in the vicinity of the farm near Clydebank, was designed by Fraser Rowan, the College of Arts Impact Manager.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh supported the initial workshops and network that underpinned the project.
The Natural Fibre Company processed the fleece
The University of Glasgow shop is selling the wool
And many of our followers inspired us and cheered us on.
A pattern book is also in the pipeline, with designers across Scotland contributing their designs for a range of knitted items inspired by the architecture of the University of Glasgow
And if you would like to buy some here is the link!
(Each ball weighs 50g and is approx 110m/119 yards in length)