How Is Harris Tweed Made?

There are a number of steps involved in producing Harris Tweed. Briefly, the process starts at the Harris Tweed mill with 100 per cent new pure wool. The untreated wool is washed and scoured in a solution of soap and washing soda. The wool is then hydro-extracted, dyed and dried.

The wool then has to be teased and blended. The wool is carded to break the fibres down for spinning into yarn. The yarn is then sent to the weaver who sets it up on the loom to commence weaving on a hand loom.

When the tweed is woven, it is returned to the mill for finishing to remove impurities from the production process such as spinning oil, dirt and lubricating oil from the loom. The tweed is washed in soapy water and soda and, while still wet, 'tenderised' to give the finished cloth a good handle. After drying, the tweed is checked and any dead hairs removed from its surface by a process called cropping.

Only when the tweed is in pristine condition is it presented to Harris Tweed Authority inspectors for testing and certification with the Orb Mark.