Sophie Hetherington Heywood’s business, ‘The Peg Loomer’ was focused on sustainability from the very start when she first learnt how to use a peg loom at an off grid community in Wales in 2020. Having returned home to Greater Manchester and asking on a local Facebook group for fleece she was shocked to discover how much local wool was going to waste.

“Since then I’ve been on a mission to utilise this wonderful resource that’s all around us. It’s been a steep learning curve, going from peg loom rugs, to felting, to having wool carded and spun at a mill for spinner and knitters. But I’ve had lots of support from the experts.”

Sophie sources wool from small farms in Yorkshire and Saddleworth and has it spun at Halifax Spinning Mill in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. “As well as all the help from Paul at the mill, I am very lucky to know Jacinta Bowie, a knitwear designer who lives down the road from the flock of Manx Loaghtan sheep who’s wool I first started working with. Jacinta is passionate about British wool, and kindly offered to create some knitwear patterns for me to give for free alongside the yarn. Her designs are gorgeous and have been really popular at wool shows”, Sophie adds.  

Sophie also uses the carded sliver in her peg loom rugs and felted creations, and when teaching others these crafts in her workshops. “I love that I can tell people exactly where this wool has come from, and many people really value that. I am focused on rare breeds, to help support farmers to continue to keep these breeds.” 

The Peg Loomer wools include Manx Loaghtan, Whitefaced Woodland, a blend of Whitefaced Woodland and Shetland, and soon Norfolk Horn, all in their natural colours. She has recently featured in Knitting Magazine’s British Wool Special. 

Upcoming workshops:

Sunday 20th October – Needle Felted Sheep Baa-bles at The Making Mill, Hebden Bridge 

Sunday 27th October – Peg Loom Weaving at Woodend Mill, Mossley, Greater Manchester

Sunday 3rd November – Peg Loom Weaving at The Making Mill, Hebden Bridge 

Saturday 23rd November – Circular Peg Loom Weaving (Advanced) at Hebble End Works, Hebden Bridge

Wednesday 4th December – Needle Felted Sheep Baa-bles at The Making Mill, Hebden Bridge 

Sunday 8th December – Needle Felted Sheep Baa-bles at Woodend Mill, Mossley

Wednesday 11th December – Needle Felted Owls at The Making Mill, Hebden Bridge

Sunday 15th December – Peg Loom Weaving at The Making Mill, Hebden Bridge

For more information visit www.thepegloomer.co.uk.