Frequently asked questions about Chester Wool, our yarns, the ordering process & environmental considerations.
Who are we?
We are a small family-owned company, specialising in Undyed yarn for dyeing. At the head is Andy, who is accompanied by fellow directors Jeni and Doug (Wife and Son). We are so lucky to be supported by our amazing staff who we couldn’t do without. Our two managers, Kez and Kaz, Warehouse manager Phil in the UK, and our new staff members, Matty (in the warehouse) and Emma (in the office).
What is our minimum order?
Our minimum order is 5 kilos, but this can be made up of 5 different types of 1 kilo each.
Do you ship to the EU?
Yes! We are really pleased to say we have our warehouse set up and running in the Netherlands and we are able to fulfill all EU orders from there. For more information please email yarn@chesterwool.com
4/16nm : can you please explain what this means and why it is quoted under each yarn type?
The number 4 denotes the number of ends, and the number 16 denotes the number of meters per gram. If you divide the second number by the first, you arrive at the number of meters per 100gm. So for this yarn the answer is 400m per 100g.
Is our merino from Australia?
No, our Superwash Merino comes from South America and is superwash treated in Europe to the highest eko-Tex standard, please see the section on superwash below for more information. As a standard we use 21.5 Micron.
Is our Bluefaced Leicester British?
Yes, all the Bluefaced Leicester wool is grown in the United Kingdom and bought at auction from the British Wool Marketing Board.
Do we offer sample hanks?
Sample hanks can be ordered any time with a bulk order at standard wholesale prices.
Can we recommend a place to buy dyes?
Chemical dyes:
UK:
https://www.colourcraftltd.com/
https://prochemicalanddye.net/
Natural dyes:
https://bailiwickblue.com/ (Indigo grown in the Guernsey, Channel Islands)
Seeds for Growing Natural Dyes:
https://www.naturesrainbow.co.uk/ (Some really interesting seeds here and lovely helpful knowledgable peeps)
https://bailiwickblue.com/. (Wonderful Indigo and George is super lovely)
What preparation is needed before dyeing the yarn?
The yarn simply needs soaking. The yarn is made specifically for dyeing so no scouring is needed, sometimes with the pure silk yarns we recommend soaking for a minimum of 3 hours in warm water and preferably over- night for best results. Please see our info on preparing cellulose yarns here
Can I come visit/collect yarn?
Yes, by appointment, we are happy to accept visitors to come and have a touch and feel our yarns as long as we know you are coming.
How do I place an order?
Please email yarn@chesterwool.com with your order, we will then get back to you with an invoice for approval and payment within 24 hours.
What are our payment methods?
Our preference is for bank transfer or Wise, however we also accept credit/debit cards.
What are our terms?
We require payment against invoice with the yarn being dispatched the next working day.
Our trading terms are ex works, Deeside UK. The customer pays all courier charges.
How long does delivery take?
In the UK we use Parcelforce 24 hour service, for the countries outside of Europe we use FedEx which offers a very quick and efficient service.
Do you stock support your yarns?
Yes we carry a fully stock supported service.
When we say the yarn is Baby Alpaca or Baby Camel, what does this mean?
Calling something 'Baby' refers to the first shearing of the animal, this is always the finest and softest fibre an animal will produce in its lifetime, subsequent shearings are always coarser.
What does Superwash mean?
Superwash is a treatment applied to wool fibres that makes them more resistant to shrinking and changes the dye absorbability. In the 80’s superwash treatment got a bad rap because in some countries the effluent was not recycled. This has, however, changed dramatically as the EU enforced very strict laws and any by-products must be removed from the water before it is discharged into the water systems. The mill we get our merino processed is accredited with the EU Flower and OEKO-TEX 100 and runs a state-of-the-art effluent treatment plant. This now means that the water is recycled and when it is discharged it is better than the drinking water you get from the tap. We can only speak for our own fibres, this does not mean that other superwash treatments follow these procedures. We are very particular about where our wool is superwash treated. Jeni has personally been to visit the Superwash treatment plant in the UK that process our Bluefaced Leicester, and this was a really interesting visit, the owner has PhD in this area and employs the most up-to-date superwash techniques and is always trailing new ideas. Jeni is also constantly reviewing the biodegradability studies of superwash yarns, and there is some great research being published on that front. So... what does the process involve? Again please note this is only relevant for our yarns, it may not be applicable to other superwash fibres. Firstly the wool is treated in chlorine to dull the edges of the scales of he wool, this reduces the ability of the scales to stick to each other and therefore reduces felting. Secondly, a resin is applied and creates a microscopic web-like structure permanently bonded to the wool, this smooths the scales, improving the handle and preventing felting whilst maintaining the dyeability. Recent studies have shown that the type of superwash wool we use, biodegrades very quickly in composting and marine environments, the good thing about the resin used on our wools is that it is a fairly weak structure, (unlike other resins which are applied to other types of shrink resistant treatments and may resist breaking down) which means it is a great option because it has shown in studies to break down very quickly leaving no residues. The other shrink-resistant treatments also inhibit the dyeability of the wool which is why they are not suitable for our yarns. On balance we like superwash yarns because they improve the longevity of the yarns and make them more accessible to people where hand washing would not be feasible on a regular basis.
I'm worried about microfibres, can you tell me how wool fits into this?
Microfibres come from synthetics, the main causes of the problems are synthetic fleece Jackets and blankets. The problem with these is that they take a long time to break down or biodegrade. Pure Wool on the other hand can biodegrade as quickly as 6 months in landfill, and superwash wool breaks down even quicker. This compares to polyester which can take up to 40 years. This quick breakdown is because wool has a high nitrogen content, it far surpasses cotton in its rate of breakdown. If you are worried about the environmental impact of your yarns, then wool and protein fibres are the way to go, thankfully that's what we do best!