A fine small blanket with hemstitched fringe, hand woven in wool by Nicola Gates in her studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Olla Nua is Irish words for ‘new wool’ – using a natural, sustainable material in a modern, imaginative way.

The weave combines a fine pearl grey and ecru lambswool with a aqua green of genuine Donegal yarn, produced in Kilcar, with it’s distinctive homespun texture.  This blanket has a twill weave as its base, making it extra cosy, while the lambswool warp means that it is light enough to use as a blanket for the in-between seasons.

The design has been drafted on paper, then woven on her traditional floor loom, powered entirely by hand and foot. The cloth is then carefully scoured to the desired finish before being cut & stitched.

Measurements: 85cm x 150cm excluding fringe. 100% wool.

About the maker:

Nicola weaves contemporary cloth, on a traditional floor loom, powered entirely by hand and foot. Using yarns spun by mills in Ireland and the UK. Inspired by the tradition of weaving in the rural west, many pieces incorporate authentic Donegal yarn, produced in Kilcar, with its distinctive fleck and homespun texture.

Olla Nua is known for attention to detail at every stage… after the meticulous setting up of the loom and weaving, the cloth is washed and often lightly felted to produce the desired softness and texture. Cutting and stitching follow, sometimes combining the handwoven cloth with Irish linen.