This handwoven merino lambswool scarf is woven by Emma Baker on a Louet floor loom in Salisbury, Wiltshire, using a deflected doubleweave structure - one of the more complex techniques in handweaving, and the same structure used for the grey and white triangle neckerchief in this collection. The bold orange and blue colourway gives it an immediate, contemporary character: vibrant without being garish, bold enough to work as a statement piece against a neutral coat or jacket.
 
What Is Deflected Doubleweave?
In a deflected doubleweave, two separate layers of cloth are woven simultaneously on the same loom, with selected threads pulled between layers at intervals to create a three-dimensional, self-patterning surface. On this scarf, the technique produces a reversible cloth - each face of the fabric shows a different balance of the orange and blue, so the scarf can be worn with either side facing out. The patterning runs through the full structure of the cloth rather than sitting on the surface, which means it cannot fade, pill away, or wash out.
 
Why Merino Lambswool?
100% merino lambswool is one of the finest natural fibres available for a scarf worn next to the skin. Its fibres are considerably finer than standard wool, which means it lies softly against the neck without itching or irritating. It is naturally warm without being heavy, breathes well across a range of temperatures, and improves with careful wear and washing. A merino wool scarf made properly will last for many years.
 
How to Wear It
At 190cm long and 32cm wide this is a generous scarf. Wrap it fully around the neck for warmth, drape it over both shoulders as a shawl, or fold it once and let it hang loose. Each end is finished with a 1cm fringe - a traditional handwoven detail. Turn it over to show the alternate colour face for a completely different look from the same piece.
 
A Gift Worth Giving
This scarf arrives in a gold embossed gift box, presented and ready to give. At this price point it is suited to a significant birthday, a retirement, or anyone who appreciates genuinely skilled textile craft. When you buy from Emma Baker Handwoven Textiles, you are buying directly from the maker - a single piece, made by hand, with no equivalent anywhere else.
 
Frequently Asked Questions
What is deflected doubleweave? Deflected doubleweave is an advanced weaving technique in which two layers of cloth are woven simultaneously, with selected threads pulled between layers at intervals to create a three-dimensional, self-patterning surface. The result on this scarf is a reversible cloth with pattern built into the full structure of the fabric rather than applied to the surface.
 
Is this scarf reversible? Yes. The deflected doubleweave structure produces two distinct faces on the cloth, each showing a different balance of the orange and blue. Either side can be worn facing out, giving you effectively two different looks from the same scarf.
 
Is merino wool itchy? No. Fine merino lambswool has a much smaller fibre diameter than standard wool, so the fibres bend against the skin rather than prickling it. Most people who find ordinary wool uncomfortable have no problem with fine merino worn directly against the neck.
 
How do I care for a merino wool scarf? Handwash very gently in warm water with minimal agitation using a wool-safe detergent. Rinse once, press in a towel to remove excess water, and dry flat. Do not machine wash or tumble dry.
 
Is this scarf made in the UK? Yes. The scarf 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.