The Wool Whisperer

In September 2023, I found myself on a remote path along the Camino de Santiago, deep in the Tyrolean Alps. I had walked 25 kilometers that day, but my journey wasn’t just about reaching a destination. It was about discovering a forgotten craft—a tradition that had stood the test of time, yet was fading into obscurity.

My steps led me to a small, untouched village, where the rushing of a stream and the stillness of the surrounding forest were my only companions. I came in search of a family I had only heard whispers about—guardians of an ancient wool-felting technique, passed down for generations.

As I approached their modest stone home, I was greeted by Michael and Edeltraud, an elderly couple whose faces told the story of years spent mastering their craft. In their workshop, machines over a century old hummed with the power of the nearby stream, spinning and processing wool from the hardy Tyrolean mountain sheep. This was wool like none I had ever felt—rough, raw, and full of the strength that comes from enduring the harsh mountain climate.

Over coffee and cake, Michael and Edeltraud shared their dream: to turn their wool mill into a living museum, preserving this ancient craft for future generations. They feared, however, that the world might no longer care for such traditions, for wool that carries the ruggedness of the mountains.

Before I left, they gifted me a bag of washed wool and handspun yarn. It felt like more than just a token—it was a responsibility. I had to honor their story, their craft.

100% Handcrafted Wool from the Tyrolean Sheep

ART PIECE OF WOOL

Keep their Vision alive – Museum Schafwollfabrik Ried in Tyrol