Material world

The first Wool Week last year signed up major retailers as supporters. In addition to that, this year there’s a Love Wool initiative designed to encourage knitters across Britain to get involved. Plus there’s an exhibition called Wool Modern during September at La Galleria on Pall Mall to showcase the best of design in wool in fashion, carpets and insulation, and aims to include work by many of the world’s top fashion designers, and carpets by some of the great manufacturers. “The trends we see on the catwalk also have a great impact on interior design,” says John Bain, global design director for Brintons carpets, one of the companies supporting Wool Week. “The natural springiness and resilience of wool makes it a perfect carpet choice for the family home, while providing insulation which will help reduce heat loss during winter.”

Our nation’s renewed passion for crafts, coupled with a desire to know the provenance of items, are also fuelling this trend for woolly wonders. So indulge yourself in sheep chic and treat yourself to home items with a baa-code.

There’s nothing like the tactile, sensual experience of snuggling up on sheepskin, which retains heat in winter but can be cool in summer. House Couturier’s Eco Wool accessories collection boasts animal friendly, hand-made couture, using 100 per cent wool from old European sheep breeds. The collection includes bed covers, £2,396, a delightful Racka footstool, £1,920, and cushions, £286 each.

The White Company’s Luxury Sheepskin collection is also highly desirable, with its huge, squashy beanbags, £950, large rugs, £500, and cushions, £60. But those who want to break away from the conventional could indulge in the imaginative work of designers who are seizing the chance to work with wool. “Wool is definitely making a comeback in the design industry following a trend that rediscovers distinctive natural materials,” says Gianluca Armento, brand director for Italian design company Cassina. Designer Franco Albini has created the stunning limited edition Tre Pezzi Wool armchair, £4,000, using white Mongolian goat hair and the results are simply stunning.

Designer Jared Lim recognises that adults need toys just as much as kids and has created Hiho, £1,745, a sheepskin rocking horse/chair for grown-ups, available from Heal’s.

Follow the sheep chic trend by “knitting” out your home with furniture upholstered in wool, or even lamps and accessories dressed cosily in knits. They’re the speciality of designer Melanie Porter who’s fascinated by the effects that knitting techniques can conjure in interiors.

“I think there’s a growing demand for products using natural materials, and wool fits brilliantly into that. Also, with individually designed pieces, people can find out exactly which materials are used and where they’re sourced from,” she says.

“That’s becoming just as important as the look of the item and the price.”

Melin Tregwynt, based on a farm in Pembrokeshire, combines authentic Welsh tradition with innovative and modern design in wool. Its woollen throws, blankets and cushions are sought after by home connoisseurs from around the globe. Find a selection of throws and blankets from around £100 at John Lewis.

Melanie Porter’s feast of woolly treats include a stripe knit Robert clock, £65, and a Freya table lamp, £550, with knitted covered stand and crocheted flower drum lampshade. Alternatively, be bold and join the Brit pack with her Pin & Pen pair of chairs, £1,500, whose knitted seats feature the red and blue Union Jack flag. And designer Patricia Urquiola has upholstered a Mangas Puf Campana ottoman, £1,380, from Chaplins, in neutral knitted wool with colourful panels. If even the thought of picking up your needles and knitting up some accessories puts you in a spin, simply plunder the high street home stores. There’s a flock of knitted treasures on offer that are perfect for warming chilly rooms. Laura Ashley’s selection is particularly impressive with its fashionable hand-made feel. Their Asha basket weave throw, £100, and knitted cushions, from £38 each, are worth splashing out on.

Marks & Spencer has beautiful sheepskin rugs, from £39.50, as well as treats for sofas, including a loose knit throw, £45, and chunky knit buttoned cushion, £25. While Tesco is bang on style and price with a cable knit cushion, £10, from its F&F home range.