This scarf is built from the inside out. Emma spins the yarn herself on an Ashford e-spinner - blending pink, purple and blue merino and woollen fibres into a hand-spun yarn with its own texture and colour variation.  During weaving, Emma introduces pink and blue ribbons alongside multiple strands of the hand spun yarn simultaneously, creating a weft that is itself a layered, textured material. The result is a scarf with a surface quality that cannot be achieved by conventional weaving: colour that shifts and catches the light, and a texture that is the direct product of the making process.
 
The primary colour is a deep purple, with pink as the dominant secondary and blue providing accent. The overall effect is rich and warm - the kind of colourway that works with both neutral and bold outfits and reads differently in different lights.
 
Dimensions
23cm wide × 152cm long, with a 13cm tasselled fringe at each end.
 
Material
Hand spun merino and woollen fibres, with ribbon and multi-strand yarn insertions. Handwoven on a floor loom in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
 
Care
Air to freshen - this is usually sufficient for routine maintenance. If a full wash is needed, hand wash in cool water with a wool-safe detergent and minimal agitation. Dry flat; do not hang to dry. Do not machine wash or tumble dry.
 
Gifting
This scarf arrives in Emma’s branded gift packaging as standard. It sits at an accessible price for a handmade textile of this complexity. It suits anyone who appreciates textile craft, wearable art, or distinctive accessories and makes a strong birthday, Christmas or occasion gift.
 
Frequently Asked Questions - Purple Textured Hand-Spun Merino Scarf
What makes this scarf textured?
The texture comes from the way the weft - the horizontal thread is constructed. Instead of using a single strand of yarn as the weft, Emma uses multiple strands of hand-spun yarn simultaneously, alongside pink and blue ribbon insertions. When these pass over and under the warp threads on the loom, they create a surface with physical depth: not smooth and flat like a plain weave, but varied in the way that the different yarns and ribbons sit at the surface. The texture is structural, not applied - it is built into the fabric during weaving and cannot be replicated by any finishing process.
 
What is an Ashford e-spinner?
The Ashford e-spinner is an electric spinning wheel - a motorised tool that draws fibres together and twists them into yarn. Unlike a drop spindle or a traditional hand-turned spinning wheel, an e-spinner allows the spinner to control the twist and tension of the yarn with great precision while keeping both hands free to manage the fibre supply. Emma uses it to spin the merino and woollen fibres into yarn before weaving, giving her control over the texture, thickness and colour blending of the thread from the very beginning.
 
What colours are actually in this scarf?
The dominant colour is a deep purple. Pink is the main secondary colour and is clearly visible in both the woven fabric and the ribbon insertions. Blue is present in the yarn blend and the ribbons but reads as an accent rather than a primary colour. In different lights the balance shifts slightly - in warm light the pink is more prominent; in cooler light the purple deepens. The overall effect is a rich, jewel-toned colourway rather than a single flat colour.
 
Is this scarf scratchy?
No. The yarn is primarily merino - a fine-fibred wool that is soft enough to wear directly against the skin for most people. The ribbon insertions add a smooth, cool element to the texture rather than any roughness.
 
How big is the scarf and does it have a fringe?
The scarf measures 23cm wide by 152cm long. It has a 13cm tasselled fringe at each end. The tasselled fringe is made from the warp threads at each end of the weave, twisted and knotted - it is an integral part of the structure rather than an applied trim. At 152cm the scarf is long enough to wrap once and drape, or to wear as a loose loop.
 
How do I care for a scarf with ribbon and hand-spun yarn?
Air to freshen - this is usually sufficient for routine maintenance. If a full wash is needed, hand wash in cool water with a wool-safe detergent and very minimal agitation. Rinse once and dry flat; do not hang to dry. The surface texture of this scarf - the ribbons and the multi-strand weft means it is more sensitive to heat and agitation than a plain-woven scarf. Do not machine wash or tumble dry. If pressing is needed, use a cool iron on the reverse side with a pressing cloth to protect the surface.
 
Will this scarf be available again?
No not in this form. Emma spins the yarn herself and the specific blend of fibres, colours and ribbon insertions that went into this scarf is unrepeatable. The warp is set once for a given batch of fabric; once the scarf is woven and cut, that particular combination of materials is gone. If you are interested in a commissioned piece with a similar approach -textured, hand-spun, with ribbon - contact Emma directly to discuss what might be possible.
 
Is this a good gift?
Yes, particularly for someone who appreciates craft, art or distinctive objects. This scarf is not a standard accessory - the hand-spinning, the ribbon insertions and the multi-strand weft technique make it a wearable textile artwork in a way that most scarves are not.  It is accessible for what it is. It arrives in Emma’s branded gift packaging as standard and works well as a birthday, Christmas, retirement or significant occasion gift for someone who wears colour and would value something genuinely one of a kind.