sheep to suit: at the sorting depot
part of our series tracking the journey of wool from raw fleece to finished cloth, we visit british wool’s sorting depot in yorkshire to document the meticulous craft of grading and sorting.
With discerning eyes and practised hands, skilled graders assess freshly shorn fleeces, reading the subtle distinctions of colour, length, strength, fineness and handle. It is a knowledge acquired through years of experience, where sight and touch reveal the character and potential of the raw wool. This is the sorting depot.
Photography by Arran Cross.
Arran Cross is a writer, photographer, brand director and sometimes foreign correspondent at Dugdale Bros. & Co. His work explores the people, places and traditions that shape the world of cloth, tailoring and craftsmanship. @arran_cross
