This handwoven merino lambswool snood is woven by Emma Baker on her eight-shaft Louet floor loom in Salisbury, Wiltshire. The electric blue and grey zig-zag pattern is the product of a complex weave structure that requires eight separate shafts to produce - the kind of patterning that is simply not possible on a basic loom, and that gives the cloth a depth and visual movement you can see as well as feel.
After weaving, the fabric is washed to full and finish the cloth, which softens it further and helps the fibres bloom together. The result is a snood that is noticeably soft against the skin, lightweight enough to wear comfortably all day, and warm enough for autumn and winter use.
The Yarn
The snood is woven using fine 2/17nm merino lambswool - a high-quality yarn with a fine fibre diameter that contributes directly to the softness of the finished cloth. Fine merino fibres are narrow enough to bend against the skin rather than prickle it, making this snood comfortable to wear directly against the neck without irritation, even for those who usually find wool uncomfortable.
The Weave
The zig-zag pattern is created using an 8-shaft loom - a professional loom with eight independently controlled sets of threads. More shafts allow for more complex interlacing sequences, which is what produces the crisp, geometric zig-zag running through the cloth. On a simpler 4-shaft loom, this pattern would not be possible. It is one of the details that marks this as a genuinely skilled piece of work.
Dimensions
The snood is 29cm wide and 73cm in circumference - a comfortable size that sits well around the neck without bunching.
A Considered Gift
At £50, this snood sits in a strong position for gifting - meaningful enough to feel special, practical enough to be worn regularly. It is well suited to birthdays, Christmas, and any occasion where you want to give something that is both beautiful and genuinely useful. When you buy from Emma Baker Handwoven Textiles, you are buying directly from the maker - a piece with real provenance, woven by hand in England.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a snood?
A snood is a loop-shaped scarf - a continuous tube of fabric with no ends. Unlike a traditional scarf, it does not need to be tied or tucked, and it stays in place naturally around the neck. It can be worn as a single loop sitting close to the neck, or pulled over the head as a cowl.
How do you wear a snood?
The most common way is to slip it over your head and let it rest around the neck as a loop. For extra warmth, you can double it up by twisting it once and looping it around a second time. It can also be pulled up over the lower face and chin in cold weather, or worn further back on the head as a cowl.
Is merino wool itchy?
No. Fine merino lambswool has a much smaller fibre diameter than standard wool. The fibres are fine enough to bend against the skin rather than prickle it, making it comfortable to wear directly around the neck. Most people who find ordinary wool uncomfortable have no problem with fine merino.
How do I wash a merino wool snood?
Handwash gently in warm water with minimal agitation, using a wool-safe detergent. Rinse once, press gently in a towel to remove excess water, and dry flat. Do not machine wash, tumble dry, or wring.
Is this snood made in the UK?
Yes. The snood is designed and handwoven by Emma Baker in her studio in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Emma Baker Handwoven Textiles ships to the UK, Canada, and the USA.