Based in County Meath, Ireland, International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) member Wool in School is an organisation that is committed to educating children about the beauty of wool and the many benefits that this natural fibre offers. In addition to its educational outreach programs, it also offers a number of opportunities for businesses to involve themselves in wool initiatives. A Wool-Inspired Education Company Wool in School is dedicated to raising awareness of wool, its production and its sustainable qualities. It works in school, home and community environments to educate children a ..read more

Nobody knows exactly how the distinctive Fair Isle Knit pattern came into being, but this unmistakable two-stranded knitting technique remains popular for the creation of woollen garments, especially jumpers and hats. International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) delves into the history of the technique and looks at its contemporary relevance. The Fair Isle Knit – From Regional Curiosity … The Fair Isle Knit is a stranded knitting technique native to Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland. It is used to create patterns, using two colours a row in multi-coloured wool ..read more

AlpTextyles is a research and education project under the initiative of the Interreg Alpine Space Programme. With the involvement of 12 partner organizations from six countries in the region, the project draws from the rich heritage of Alpine textile ecosystems to develop solutions to optimize textile resources and tackle climate change. International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) looks forward to a special research day, hosted by AlpTextyles in collaboration with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, on 12 March 2024. Titled “The Living Textile Heritage of the Alps,” the event will dive deep i ..read more

How can the wool industry be sustained in the modern world? By highlighting the traditional values at the heart of sheep farming, says Larry Prager, CEO of Center of the Nation Wool in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Prager, manager of Center of the Nation Wool for the past 30 years, presented an overview of American wool traditions at last year’s Wool Round Table in Montreal. For generations, American wool and sheep producers have been committed to supplying natural fibres and offering sustainable care to America’s grasslands. This, says Prager, is the key to their ongoing prioritisation and su ..read more

The aquaculture and mariculture industry make extensive use of rope in their daily operations. Consider seaweed farming, for example, which uses submerged frames with ropes placed in parallel across them. One of the primary problems with this method is that the ropes are usually made of polypropylene and other plastics. The reduction of plastic pollution is an important environmental objective, so the use of these materials in the ocean is highly undesirable. Thankfully, the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) is happy to report, a new alternative that includes only natural fibres ..read more

Global worsted yarn producer Südwolle Group has announced the launch of their latest Suedwebs Innovation Hub Story, a collaboration with innovative brand and manufacturer Pepper Vally that aims to transform denim into a sustainable and inclusive fashion statement made from wool.   The project, titled “Redefining wool denim: From Classic to Sustainable,” sets a new standard for eco-friendliness and inclusivity.    Together, Pepper Vally and Südwolle Group focused on pioneering fabric manufacturing methods that combine natural elements and innovative techniques to create no ..read more

Peerless mens tailored clothing has lived up to its name for over a century, producing the finest suits, sport coats, tuxedos, topcoats and other quality formalwear to be found anywhere in North America. Wool plays an important role in the company’s output, so naturally, International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) has an interest in their work. We were delighted when the President of Peerless Clothing International, Dan Orwig, made a presentation at our Wool Round Table in December. The presentation gave the attendees a rundown of the company’s history and plans for the future. A Long, Pro ..read more

Good news for British sheep farmers! A collaborative research project called “Fabulous Fibre” is underway, aiming to improve the UK wool industry’s productivity, sustainability, and resilience. This 12-month initiative focuses on breeding sheep with finer wool, potentially unlocking new opportunities and higher profits for farmers. Spearheaded by the National Sheep Association (NSA) and collaborating with industry partners, the project will explore the feasibility of reducing the “micron count” of UK sheep breeds. Micron count refers to wool fiber diameter, with lower numbers indicating soft ..read more

This year marks the 1500th anniversary of the death of one’s of Ireland’s best-known Saints, St Brigid. In her honour, celebrations are taking place around County Kildare, including four handmade wool tapestries in St Brigid’s Cathedral. These tapestries, called the “St Brigid’s Cloaks,” are made of native Irish grown wool and use traditional Aran knit stitching. The cloaks were created by more than 950 participants from around the country, including 250 Kildare school children. IWTO Member Wool in School led a series of educational workshops, in association with Creative Ireland and Kildar ..read more

IWTO’s Young Professionals Every year, IWTO welcomes young wool professionals to its Congress in the Young Professionals Programe. This year’s programme is now OPEN for applications. Since 2012, more than 120 Young Professionals have joined the Congress through this programme. Are you 35 years or younger, and working in the wool industry? Apply to join IWTO’s signature Young Professionals Programme today! The 2024 Congress 2024’s Young Professionals will join the global wool industry in Adelaide, Australia. The IWTO Congress is a highlight of the wool industry calendar, an annual meeting poi ..read more