Traditional Weaving Techniques

At Solway Blankets, we are deeply committed to preserving the rich heritage of traditional weaving...

Our blankets are the result of meticulous craftsmanship, where every step - from raw wool to finished fabric - is handled with care and precision. We collaborate with esteemed mills in the British Isles, all of which have a rich and long history in weaving and many still family owned. These partnerships ensure that our products embody the finest in textile tradition and quality.

From Fleece to Fabric: The Journey of Our Wool

Close-up of white raw wool fibres in a hessian sack with a blurred background. Waiting to be processed for blanket weaving.

1. Sourcing Ethical and Natural Fibres

The journey begins with the selection of high-quality wool. Merino wool is sourced from reputable farms in South Africa and New Zealand and premium British wool from our home nations. Each fleece is chosen for its softness, durability and ethical provenance, ensuring that our blankets are both luxurious and responsibly made.

Close-up of pink yarn spools with a soft focus background, ready to be used on traditional weaving machines for blankets

2. Dyeing: Crafting a Unique Palette

The raw wool is then dyed using precise combinations of dye, pressure, temperature and time. This process is a closely guarded secret, allowing our mills to maintain a unique and consistent colour palette. With the ability to produce over 500 different shades, we ensure that each blanket boasts rich, vibrant colours that stand the test of time.

Dyed blue wool being blended in a traditional weaving mill factory setting

3. Blending: Creating Depth and Texture

To achieve the intricate patterns and textures characteristic of our blankets, up to seven different coloured wools are blended for each yarn. This meticulous blending process results in the depth and complexity seen in our throws, offering a visual richness that enhances any interior.

Wool being processed through the carding machine in a traditional British weaving mill before going onto spinning

4. Carding: Aligning Fibres for Strength

Carding is essential in producing soft, smooth fabrics. The blended wool is lubricated with a bit of water and oil, then passed through a series of combed rollers that tease the fibres in multiple directions. This process removes impurities and aligns the fibres, preparing them for spinning.

Close-up of wool threads that have been spun into yarn with a blurred background

5. Spinning: Transforming Fibre into Yarn

The carded wool is spun into yarn using advanced spinning frames that apply a precise number of twists per inch. This results in a fine yet strong thread, which is then wound onto cones, each holding up to 16,000 meters, ready for the next stage.

Close-up of multicoloured yarn strands separated over a drum reading for the warping process and setting of the loom for weaving blankets

6. Warping: Preparing the Loom

Warping involves winding the cones of yarn over a drum to create the warp - the lengthwise threads essential for weaving. Depending on the complexity of the pattern, up to 2,000 threads may be required for a single width of fabric. Each thread is meticulously checked and arranged to ensure accurate and uniform designs.

Textile manufacturing process with colourful yarns on a loom. Creating a spot design in blanket cloth for Solway Blankets

7. Weaving: Bringing Patterns to Life

Using traditional looms, the weft (horizontal threads) is woven across the warp threads to create our stunning blanket cloth. These looms are capable of weaving up to 30,000 meters of cloth per week. Each piece undergoes strict quality control at multiple stages to ensure consistency and excellence.

A length of green woven blanket cloth being raised in a traditional mill, prior to cutting and finishing.

8. Finishing: Enhancing Softness and Durability

After weaving, the fabric is scoured using pure water often sourced from nearby rivers or deep boreholes, then milled and dried. This process removes any residual oils and impurities. Finally, the fabric is then ‘raised’, rollers with small pins brush the fibres to create a soft, fluffy and luxurious feel our blankets are known for.

Person cutting a herringbone woven blanket fabric with scissors through the fringe, to create individual finished blankets ready for labelling and folding

9. Final Touches: Fringe, Labelling and Folding

This is where raw cloth transforms into a stunning Solway Blanket. Each throw is expertly cut to size, with the twisted fringe finished to perfection for a soft, elegant look. Every blanket is individually inspected, labelled with our signature branding and carefully folded and packed, ready to find its way into homes across the UK and beyond.

Every twist of the fringe and placement of the label is done with pride—marking the final step in a journey that celebrates natural fibres, heritage weaving and lasting quality.

Embracing Sustainability: Mono-Material Products

In an industry where blended fibres are common, we take pride in offering mono-material products made entirely from natural wool and fibres.

Blended textiles often pose challenges in recycling due to the difficulty in separating different fibres. Our commitment to using a single, natural fibre simplifies the recycling process, allowing our blankets to be more easily reintegrated into the production cycle at the end of their life. This approach supports a circular textile economy, reducing waste and promoting environmental responsibility.

“Crafted with Care, Woven for Generations”

From fleece to finished fabric, every stage of our blankets’ journey reflects sustainability, skill and pride. By bringing one into your home, you embrace comfort, heritage and a more responsible future.

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