Sheep drove the economy of England for two hundred years from the 13th century, with its trade in wool. Scotland followed more slowly and only for home consumption until the end of the 18th century, while in the islands of the Outer Hebrides, challenged by climate, land clearance and evictions, crofters continued a craft tradition of dyeing wool before spinning it, and weaving it in their homes. Twill weaves in which weft threads cross over warp threads in steps, giving a diagonal emphasis to the cloth were well known to weavers in preindustrial days. When worked in wool, twill's ability to conjure a robust cloth for personal insulation against cold, wind and rain gave it particular prominence in the islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra. They gave this thick weave the Gaelic name, Clò Mòr, meaning The Big Cloth. Its character came to sum up the weave we call tweed.
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Denne historien er fra Special 2022-utgaven av Homes & Antiques.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Collecting Dioramas MINIATURE WORLDS
From elaborate taxidermy museum displays to humble folk art creations, a diorama can transport us to another time and place
Pride of place LEEDS CREAMWARE
In its heyday the pre-eminent rival to Wedgwood's Queens ware, Leeds creamware is still much revered by collectors for its understated elegance
Bohemian Rhapsody
An exuberant approach to decor, with rooms enveloped in colour and pattern, has brought this historic home merrily into the 21st century...
THE ANTIQUES THAT SHAPED ME Rory Hutton
The accessories designer on his love of silver spoons and Sévres porcelain
European HERITAGE B&Bs
Is there anything more inspiring than staying somewhere that's both beautifully stylish and imbued with history? Rhiannon Batten explores five gems across Europe, from Sweden to Spain...
STAR SALES
A Hitchens painting, a museum-quality teapot and a Parisian chocolate box are all top of the lots
Textile designs by artists
Influential 20th-century fine artists and sculptors, from Picasso to Barbara Hepworth, gained additional status as textile designers until decline set in during the 1970s
Period DRAMA
A painstaking renovation has brought this 1725 former Huguenot silk weaver's house in London's Spitalfields back to life
An artist's RESIDENCE
Rustic details and a restrained palette lend a sense of simplicity to this lovingly restored Friesian bakery
Carefully Curated LIVING
This lovingly restored Gustavian manor has become both home and showroom for its owners, Maria & Jan Åke, who deal in European antiques