Q&A with knitwear designer Aaron Fletcher
Campaign for Wool caught up with knitwear designer, Aaron Fletcher from Aaron’s Arans to find out about his life working within the wool industry. From taking up knitting at the age of 13, to launching his first knitwear collection this August, Aaron discusses his lifetime partnership with wool.
Please tell us a little about yourself and how your day-to-day life involves wool?
I run my own knitwear design and manufacturing company called Aaron’s Arans. I produce extravagant knitwear in various styles and enjoy making eye-catching, textured pieces. As of January this year, I have been hand spinning all my own yarn from fibre, mostly using wool. I enjoy this aspect of my design work very much because I am able to customise the very make-up of the yarn I will be using, giving me more versatility in my designs.
Since you’ve been involved with wool, how have you seen the wool industry change?
Although I can’t say I’ve been in the game anywhere near as long as most wool veterans, I’ve noticed how people are starting to care more about the source of their wool and the percentage of wool to man made fibres in the average ball of wool. How do you source your wool? I have previously sourced wool from a multitude of places but now that I predominantly spin my own yarns, I either go to online suppliers, such as www.worldofwool.co.uk, or I purchase directly from the farmers.
What does the Campaign for Wool mean to you?
For me, it means an opportunity to change the perception of wool, in particular the perception of knitting as a woman’s game. By promoting the use of wool and educating others about its superb applications we can unleash an entirely new generation of hands into the craft.
What does 2014 hold for you?
This is a very exciting year as I’m releasing my first two collections to the public in early August, one being part wool and part acrylic, the other being completely organic, all natural animal fibre, spun and knitted by hand. I’m excited to see the public’s reaction to my pieces and am keen to delve into the fashion world full on. I decided to release my first collections in 2014 two years ago, so its been a long time coming.
At what age did you first start using wool?
I was 13 when I first started using wool and was taught the basics by my closest friend whilst on holiday in a part of England where there was not much else to do. I’ve never looked back.
Technologies to further the potential of wool are advancing all the time, i.e. wool velvet, how do you think this will affect the wool and clothing industries?
From my point of view it will do nothing but further the creative possibilities of wool. This can only be of good news for the wool and clothing industries.
How does using woollen cloths differ to other man-made materials?
I prefer using completely natural fibres and try to avoid anything acrylic if possible. Wool is so versatile with its ability to be so soft or coarse and dyed any colours. It has a historic reputation having been used to produce garments to keep us warm since the 11th century. People realise this, and all you have to say Merino and consumers know they are buying quality.
For information on Aaron’s work and the launch of his first collection this August, follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @aaronsarans or head to his website: http://aaronsar