GORGEOUS NEW CLOTHS FROM CROTAL HARRIS TWEED March 01 2018
Well, we all know we love Harris Tweed but it's even better when we know who the weaver is and see them at work. In the new collection there's two stunning cloths from Annie Mackay at Crotal Harris Tweed.
Annie at work
Here's some information from Annie's own website, www.crotalharristweed.co.uk that tells you a little bit abut her and her work:
"Hi, my name is Annie Mackay and I was born and raised on the Isle of Lewis.
I first began weaving 30 years ago along with my husband when my children were little. It was ideal as I was able to stay at home and still work around the demands of 4 children.
Sadly due to the downturn in the industry in the early nineties many weavers had to find alternative work.
When my grandchildren were born I realised that the demands of full-time work did not allow me enough time to spend with them and I began to consider something different.
My cousin approached me to ask if I knew anyone who would be interested in her fathers Hattersley Domestic Loom as she was wanting to pass it on to someone who would make use of it…. that started me thinking. This could now provide me with the opportunity to be at home and get to spend more time with my grandchildren. From this Crotal Harris Tweed was born.
The name "Crotal" is the Gaelic name for the lichen which grows on stones and rocks and was traditionally used for dyeing the wool. As I wanted the business to have a traditional connection I thought it would be the perfect name for my business."
We've included the beautiful yellow spectrum (summer stripe on our website) and the orange and yellow herringbone in the new collection, and we think they look stunning made up in the Explorer Messenger and the Wristlet Clutches. I hope you think so too.
It's wonderful to have found Annie, whose original tweeds allow me to create a limited edition collection of her work that's now available to you, and makes my designs even more unique. Here are the Explorers made up in Annie's Harris Tweeds:
