A couple of weeks ago, we swapped our desks for dual carriageways and headed north to visit the mills that spin our yarn and weave our wool blankets. As the newest member of The British Blanket Company team, it was my first opportunity to see how a blanket is actually made, from loose wool fibres all the way through to fabric coming off the loom.
Hi, I'm Jessica
I've been working at The British Blanket Company for just over two months as a Digital Marketing Exec. In that time, it's fair to say my knowledge of wool and blankets has improved exponentially. Admittedly, I started from almost zero, so there was plenty of room for improvement.
I've learned about lambswool, alpaca, weaving, spinning and more blanket terminology than I ever knew existed. But despite spending my days writing about blankets and helping with marketing campaigns, I'd never actually seen one being made. So when the opportunity came up to visit the mills that spin our yarn and weave our blankets, I was equal parts curious and excited.
I knew that our blankets started as natural yarn and somehow ended up coming off a loom somewhere in Yorkshire, but everything in between was still a bit of a mystery. Over the next two days, I was about to find out.
Day One: Heading North
With the car packed, coffees in hand and a carefully curated playlist ready to go, we set off from Bristol bright and early. The journey north flew by surprisingly quickly, helped by plenty of snacks and good company.
Before long, we arrived at our first destination, where we spent the afternoon touring a site connected to an exciting project we're currently working on behind the scenes. Unfortunately, I can't tell you much more than that just yet. What I can say is that it was fascinating to see ideas beginning to take shape and to get a glimpse of something we're all very excited about (sorry to tease!).
After a full day on the road we eventually arrived in Huddersfield, ready for a well-earned dinner and some rest before the main event the following day.
The Best Pie I've Ever Eaten
The pub in question was recently taken over by new owners, and don't worry we left a stellar review! 5 Stars!
Now, I don't want to overstate things, but the pie I had that evening might genuinely have been the best pie I've ever eaten.
Ten out of ten.
No notes.
Over dinner, we chatted about the day, discussed the plans for tomorrow and somehow ended up learning a new card game from Bethan and Joe. It was one of those simple moments that ended up becoming a highlight of the trip.
In fact, I've taught the game to several friends since getting home, and they've all become slightly obsessed with it too. Requests for ’Estimation Wist’ tutorials will be accepted and are encouraged.
Day Two: Breakfast, Views and a Helipad
The next morning began with a hotel breakfast, which I firmly believe is one of life's great pleasures.
FUN FACT: For some reason, I still haven’t quite figured out, our little countryside hotel had a helipad? Maybe billionaires fly into Yorkshire for the puddings? Whis knows.
What I do know is that it came with one of the most spectacular views I've ever seen. Looking out across the surrounding landscape, I could finally understand why so many classic novels are set in Yorkshire. Everything felt dramatic, mysterious and slightly windswept. I kept expecting a character from Wuthering Heights to appear over the horizon at any moment. Having never visited Yorkshire before, I was completely taken by it.
Then it was on to the factories!
While Bethan and Joe headed to the weaving mill, where they would spend time discussing projects and catching up with long-standing suppliers, Izzie and I travelled to visit the yarn spinners. For me, this would be my introduction to the very beginning of the blanket-making process.
Visiting the Yarn Spinners
Walking into the spinning mill for the first time was fascinating. What immediately struck me wasn't what I saw. It was what I heard. Or rather, what I couldn't hear. The machinery was unbelievably loud.
Every conversation involved leaning in and practically shouting into each other's ears. There were several moments where we all burst out laughing because we'd completely misheard one another over the noise. It quickly became clear that spinning yarn isn't a quiet business.
Where Yarn Begins
Wool fibres at an early stage of the spinning process.
One of the biggest surprises was discovering just how many stages happen before yarn is even created. Like many people, I'd always assumed yarn simply arrived ready-made before weaving began.
Instead, we followed the process from fibre through to finished yarn, watching the wool pass through a series of fascinating stages that gradually align, blend and prepare the fibres for spinning. Seeing the scale of the machinery and the complexity of the process gave me a completely new appreciation for something I'd previously taken for granted.
Wool Chemistry
Developing the perfect yarn colour starts with surprisingly tiny measurements.
My favourite part of the entire spinning mill visit was learning how colours are developed. To create a particular yarn shade, tiny quantities of differently coloured wool fibres are carefully measured and blended together until the desired colour is achieved. Watching this happen felt a bit like chemistry class, except instead of chemicals, everything was wool. The amount of precision involved was incredible.
A tiny adjustment could subtly alter the final result, and seeing those colour recipes come together gave me a whole new appreciation for the colours we use throughout our blanket collections.
Shelves were filled with carefully labelled samples showing different fibres, colours and yarn possibilities. It was a fascinating reminder that before any blanket reaches a loom, countless decisions have already been made about colour, texture and composition.
By lunchtime, I had accumulated more wool facts than anyone reasonably needs.
Meeting the Weavers
Later in the afternoon, we reunited with Bethan and Joe at the weaving mill.
Unlike Izzie and me, this wasn't unfamiliar territory for them. Over the years they've spent countless hours working with our mills, discussing colours, fibres, product development and new ideas.
For me, though, everything still felt completely new and a little magical.
Watching Blankets Being Woven
Watching blanket fabric emerge from the loom for the first time.
Seeing the looms in action was one of those moments where reality doesn't quite match your expectations.
I don't know what I was imagining but it far exceeded my expectations. The looms filled huge spaces, rattling away at extraordinary speed. The noise was incredible, wool filled the air and the colours were overwhelming.
Watching Yarn turn into a blanket, one of OUR blankets, felt so magical and grounding.
One thing I learned is that blankets aren't woven one at a time. Instead, continuous lengths of fabric emerge from the loom before being cut, finished and transformed into individual blankets. Watching colours and patterns slowly appear in front of us gave me a completely different appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every finished blanket.
The People Who Make It Possible
While the machinery was impressive, the people were undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. One thing that stood out throughout both visits was the passion people had for their work. I loved meeting individuals who were genuinely excited about spinning, weaving, colour development and textile production. Listening to people enthusiastically explain highly specialised topics was surprisingly infectious. You couldn't help becoming interested yourself. By the end of the day, I found myself excited about things that, two months ago, I wouldn't even have realised existed. The expertise involved was remarkable, but so was the enthusiasm.
It was a reminder that every blanket begins long before it reaches our warehouse. Behind every product are skilled people who care deeply about what they do.
A Small Detour Home
With our notebooks full of wool facts and our cameras packed with photos and videos, it was finally time to head back to Bristol. Naturally, no great road trip is complete without a service stop.
We treated ourselves to a visit to Gloucester Services, where I somehow managed to leave with an outrageously good loaf of sourdough. No regrets.
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What Surprised Me Most
The noise
I genuinely wasn't prepared for how loud the mills would be.
The complexity
So much happens before yarn even reaches a loom.
The colour development
Creating colours from tiny measured blends of wool felt like a form of textile chemistry.
The scale
Everything was bigger than I imagined.
The people
The passion and expertise behind the process was inspiring to witness.
Bethan and Joe with Bart, owner of the Mill
More Than Just a Mill Visit
The trip was so much fun in so many different ways.
Of course, there was the opportunity to see first-hand how our blankets are made and learn about a process I'd previously only understood from the finished product.
There was the chance to explore beautiful Yorkshire, with its dramatic landscapes, historic mill towns and endless views. There were motorway playlists, hotel breakfasts, card games, excellent conversations and what remains the best pie I've ever eaten.
But perhaps most importantly, we got to meet the people who make The British Blanket Company possible. The spinners, weavers and textile specialists whose knowledge, skill and dedication transform wool fibres into the blankets we proudly share with our customers.
Two days, hundreds of motorway miles and more wool-related facts than anyone could reasonably need later, we headed home with a much deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship, expertise and relationships behind every blanket.
And for me, seeing it all for the first time made every blanket feel a little more special.