History in the making

Weavers, ceramicists, chandlers – and even a curtain couturière, meet the makers behind the local luxury brands that honour ancient craft in modern ways and, in doing so, are bringing a human connection into our homes

- SANDISO NGUBANE, PIET SMEDY & LISA ABDELLAH

STEPHEN & LINDA NESSWORTHY, AYMARA YARNS

Simple, classic and luxurious woven and knitted goods from alpaca fibre are homegrown, spun and made at Klein Limietrivier Farm, a rare and unusual building in Wellington erected around 1715 from unbaked clay bricks and later lovingly restored by its owners Stephen and Linda Nessworthy.

It is the only mill in South Africa able to process alpaca from raw fleece. Its sensitive use of colour, as well as simple design, make its products easily recognisable. Aymara is a language of the Andes, and pays homage to the origins of the alpaca. Much of the brand’s inspiration comes from the surrounding Hawaqua Range, which extends from Bainskloof to Tulbagh Pass.

‘Currently, we have 260 alpaca with around 50 more births anticipated this year. They grow a myriad of natural shades, which we enhance with touches of hand-dyed colours,’ explain Stephen and Linda. ‘Alpaca is known as a noble fibre that is soft, warm and hypoallergenic.’

Aymara combines fibre produced on the Farm with other natural fibres to create unique blends. The origin stories of the machines used are as fascinating as the building they inhabit: a carder branded Biela, from the city and commune in northern Italy, a comb from Serbia, a Gill Box from France and a fly frame, a spinning machine and winder from the UK.

Linda and Stephen share a human connection with and, for fun, have named every alpaca on the farm. ‘The process of dealing with every aspect – from breeding and births, general animal husbandery and shearing, to sorting and spinning and final product design and manufacture – gives us a rare insight into and intimacy with our products,’ they say.