Harris Tweed® Weaving Terms | Day 1

Are you aware of how many common phrases are associated with the Harris Tweed® industry?

Weaving terminology has been used to convey feelings, emotions, stories and more across diverse societies throughout history, and there are many examples used in everyday language that we will show you in our new ‘Harris Tweed® Weaving Terms’ series!

The evolution of textile production – from the domestic to the mechanised – produced terminology which seamlessly weaves into descriptions of human traits to this day. We trace the threads of an argument, and spin yarns, or find ourselves unravelling mysteries in text messages and social media posts constantly.

Even the word “text” comes from the Latin word ‘textus’, which means “that which is woven.” This derives from the verb ‘texere’, meaning “to weave.” Just as a fabric is woven from individual threads, a text is composed of words and sentences that are woven together to create a coherent piece.

Harris Tweed® Weaving Terms Series | Day 1

The phrase “dyed in the wool” originates from the practice of dyeing wool fibres before they are spun into yarn and woven into fabric.

When wool is dyed in its raw state, as it is for our Harris Tweed® yarn, the colour is absorbed more thoroughly and evenly, resulting in a more permanent and resilient hue.

Dyeing the wool at this early stage allows our designers to create yarns with a true depth of colour variation. A person described as “dyed in the wool” is someone whose beliefs, habits, or characteristics are deeply ingrained and unlikely to change.

Just as the wool retains its colour through the weaving process, a “dyed in the wool” individual retains their core qualities steadfastly!