I surely agree about that. And, ethical concerns apart, I really don't like possum knit: I saw a couple of items and they had a felt-like look and feel, which I wasn't pleased with at all. Besides cashmere I would choose (geelong) lambswool and camelhair. I also like somehow shetland, but I find it too raw and too little supple. No experience with alpaca. Vicuna would be of course first choice if I would swim in gold.
I was chatting to an Australian wool grower, formerly called a sheep farmer. And they hadn't heard of Geelong Merino or Geelong wool, it appears to be a European invention. My Hinchcliffe Geelong is not soft, I need to to get something in Baruffa Super Geelong yarn.
You're right, geelong is not particularly soft, I also have several Alan Paine jumpers (Hinchcliffe yarn) and they are rarher dry and little supple. On the other hand I have William Lockie geelong thick garments, which even though not soft are much more suppler. But in the end I agree that "plain" lambswool is remarkably softer, this not meaning I like it more.
Panama
it's good you have a supply of turtlenecks, they look good with so many things suck as coats, v neck jumpers and cardigans. You don't see many blokes in turtlenecks these days. I have a thick one on today and will soon pair it with a thick cardigan to wear out for the evening.
Waiting for me was my long waited Howlin' turtleneck (made in Scotland). It is a beautiful piece, and nice and plush, however it is not densely knitted like l thought it would be. If l am going to do knitwear it needs to be densely knitted, but this will make a nice change.
Nice! Are you going to have a bespoke jumper or cardigan from them? Any informations about material origin? Australia, New Zealand, somewhere else? Do they knit themselves, or just spin and use other factories?
Zegna Baruffa is the spinning arm of Zegna. There is no origin stated, but John Smedley use Baruffa yarn and they identify their growers individually. They are all from South Island New Zealand.
Very interesting! How many batches are those? Supergeelong is designed as extrafine baby merino: wondering if it's a new marketing expedient (similarly to Loro Piana "baby cashmere"), or it has fundament. According to you it should be actually softer. What are the options about models, thickness and fitting?
Panama
very interesting.
Thanks for explaining, but if they aren't able to make a garment, why did you get those swatch cards? Have you anybody, who could knit for you?
They supply the yarn in kilogram cones.
Single ply 24 to 27 gauge. As above I am talking to an Italian knitter. I have spoken to a Scottish knitter that does not produce in that gauge. Other Scottish knitters haven't replied. I emailed a Portuguese knitter and they currently do not have any capacity.
I may go lower to 21 gauge as finding knitters with higher gauge machines is actually difficult.
McGeorge is back with a mill in Scotland
www.mcgeorgeofscotland.co.uk
McGeorge is back with a mill in Scotland
Home of Heritage & Craftsmanship | McGeorge of Scotland, Scottish fine cashmere knitwear
Discover McGeorge of Scotland – from its founding in 1881 in Dumfries to iconic cashmere knitwear worn by legends like Steve McQueen. A legacy of craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless Scottish style.
Thank you! It's actually a little more greyish, not so warm. Sorry, but pictures with the phone are not best.
Thank you! Can you please post some pictures of your Mc Georges, when the second one has reached you?
This makes me happy. Have you more detailed informations? Is it a new mill or an old one that they have refurbished? Is the ownership still Italian, or have the Scots bought the brand back?McGeorge is back with a mill in Scotland
Home of Heritage & Craftsmanship | McGeorge of Scotland, Scottish fine cashmere knitwear
Discover McGeorge of Scotland – from its founding in 1881 in Dumfries to iconic cashmere knitwear worn by legends like Steve McQueen. A legacy of craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless Scottish style.
McGeorge of Scotland: Knitting Back The Scottish Yarn Clan
With a history that many brands can only dream of, McGeorge of Scotland's knitwear has been worn on the waters of Monaco by Grace Kelly and on Crane Beach, Massachusetts by Steve McQueen. They now find themselves back in the textile hub of the Scottish Borders manufacturing very high-quality...therake.com
One part of Caerlee Mill was listed so couldn't be pulled down. I wonder if that is what they are using?
I like very much your first McGeorge cardigan: that shetland looks so nice and rich, so different to the modern one I know. Beautiful subdued but strong colour. It also shows some lustre and basically no brushing at all: I really don't get why the shaggy look is so wished nowadays. Can you also report about your Alan Paine garment, possibly with pictures? Is it vintage or new production? What is the balance to alpaca?Got the other McGeorge shawl cardigan today. Such a beauty. I have washed it, and when it dries l will post pics of both. One is a bone while the other is a medium brown. Both in shetland.
Also got the Alan Paine in 60% alpaca. Such a beauty! Very traditional style and something not everyone would wear due to the pattern, but l like it. It's been a good day for jumpers.
Even though I understand that the old looms were something special, I think that it shouldn't be impossible to replicate them if the will and the means are there. Possibly some are still there, hidden and forgotten, or at least some construction plans. Or, if everything went lost, it's certainly possible with the modern technology to reproduce them. Also about skilled workers: even though many are gone, it should be possible to still find some with the required technical ability to impart to new employees. It could be expensive of course, but I think that the results would well reward the efforts.
Since that article was written Hawick Knitwear and Peter Scott/Hodgson of Scotland have closed down.
As far as I understand, the looms are not nearly as important as the raw material and its treatment. Modern looms can produce excellent results, but if the input isn’t there it doesn’t help.
I certainly share your opinion: it's not realistic that the current producers are no more able to knit in the same high level as decades ago. What's missing is rather the will to achieve the highest quality, no matter the costs.