Behind the Wool: October’s Blether of flock & fibre.
Celebrating Wool Month
My favourite month is here — which means it’s officially #WoolMonth 🐑 arguably the best month to start the cosy season. A time to celebrate everything this incredible fibre gives us: warmth, sustainability, and a connection to the land.
October always makes me pause and take stock— Literally, have I worked hard enough squirrelling my knits all summer or have I still a pile of unfinished knits. Luckily you’ll never know which ones more accurate but you can guess that as a mum of two little lambs, a new studio half built, an en-suite renovation, not forgetting a hen coop erected and 10 chickens saved with a few holidays; I’m probably not where I’d thought I would be starting the season. But alas that’s not to say I’ve not been working hard behind the scenes taking stock of what’s just been, what’s on the needles, and what’s coming next…
From Ribbons to Ram Sales
September was full of ribbons, baking rivalries, and Cheviot walks, and now, October brings us to one of the biggest fixtures in our farming calendar: the Cheviot Sheep Society Ram Show & Sale on the 13th in Lockerbie. It’s a special sale that all farmers look forward to — part business, part tradition, and part social gathering.
Preparations here are already well underway, the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything ticking and sets us up for the season ahead. In the run-up, the first viewings are already taking place across neighbouring farms, almost like a living catalogue. Buyers travel from farm to farm, across the Scottish Borders and beyond, where there’s often food and drink on offer. It’s a chance to see the tups in their pens and chat directly with the farmers about their specific breeding lines, get the running order of their rams and mentally note any they need to be in the ring for.
It’s a fascinating process: you can usually sense which sheep are turning heads by the crowd gathering around their pens, yet no one breathes a word of what they actually intend to bid on. That’s the most fascinating part of it all, every farmer keeping cards close to their chest to secure the bloodline they’re after. It’s a serious business, sheep breeding, and at the same time one of the most exciting moments in the farming calendar.
Ribbons to Ringside
This is also why so many farmers put such effort into showing their sheep at the agricultural shows. The Cheviot Sheep Society runs an organised points and scoring system at selected shows, and those results often feed directly into the buzz around October’s sales. It’s a well-oiled machine, and their social media is full of members proudly showcasing upcoming ewes and rams. If you’re curious about sheep or farming life, it’s well worth giving them a follow — it’s where you’ll see the very best of the breed.
Results of Lockerbie 2024:
Last year was particularly memorable for us as a family my father-in-law, Syd Anderson of Easter Alemoor, Roberton, Hawick, achieved a personal best of £16,000, this is for one ram.
It’s absolute madness when you’re in the ring watching the bidding going up and up. The joint sale leader on that day was Jim Robertson of Becks, Langholm, a name many will recognise as Chairman of British Wool. It felt like a moment that perfectly linked our local achievements with the wider story of British wool — heritage, quality, and a fibre with a future.
Now, we’re not heading to Lockerbie expecting Syd to top the sale again, but that buzz doesn’t wear off easily. For Neil and I, one of the most exciting moments last year came in the ring with our own Woodburnhaugh flock. We’d been breeding some cracking rams for sale, and sold one of ours for over £4,000 which was such a tearful, joyful moment — especially having our boys there to see it, I was immensely proud watching Neil in that ring. Moments like that remind you that this work is about more than numbers: it’s family, pride, and the continuity of a flock across generations. This year we have 2 rams or tups for sale under the Woodburnhaugh prefix. Here’s a short clip of how fast the bidding goes for anyone who’s never been:
All in all, the Ram Sale isn’t just about numbers on the board; it’s about community, heritage, and the excitement of seeing the best of the breed come together. From the summer shows through to Lockerbie in October, the rhythm of the season builds towards this moment…
As we prepare our own flock and watch the buzz grow, I’m reminded how these traditions sit alongside the new paths I’m carving with my designs — both rooted in wool, both looking to the future.
Market Momentum
This week brings another exciting milestone: my first autumn market of the season. It’s always such a joy to bring the whole collection out into the world, chat with familiar faces, and introduce new people to my work. I’m excited to be in Edinburgh, Portobello Town hall this Sunday 11-4. Each piece in my Lambswool collection is made with a waste-not ethos — using pre-consumer waste yarns and giving them new life as limited-edition pieces. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!
If you can’t make it in person this weekend, you can explore the collection online.
Looking Ahead: Something Special
And because October is never short of excitement… I’ve been working on something very close to my heart: a heritage collaboration. I can’t say too much just yet (all will be revealed after the 9th), but it’s about celebrating our wool story in a way that feels both traditional and fresh. Watch this space… I cannot wait to share more on this journey. There’ll be a special post about this next Friday, 10th!
Behind the scenes at Loops HQ.
From markets to ram sales, wool month to new collaborations, October really is bursting with life. I hope you’ll follow along, and if you’re looking for something special to keep you cosy this autumn, don’t miss my limited Lambswool collection while it’s here. If you want to know more about The Campaign for Wool celebrating 15 years, patron by HM King Charles III, or British Wool’s celebrations for their 75th anniversary be sure to click on the links in this blether to get up to speed with all the wool wonders in the world of wool.
With love and loops,
