British Wool Nordic Fisherman Sweater - Navy | Made in England

Description

A heavyweight fisherman’s sweater made in England from 100% Lancashire wool. Inspired by the classic Nordic birdseye and ragg wool tradition — the kind of sweater that fishermen, farmers, and sailors have relied on for centuries, and for good reason.

Why it’s here

Everything in the Homestedt shop has earned its place — and this sweater has had longer to prove itself than most.

We found ours in a small shop in England over ten years ago. That same sweater is still going strong today, which tells you everything you need to know. We tracked down the mill — a small, father-and-son operation in the Midlands with roots going back to World War Two — drove there in person, and persuaded them to make them for us. They weren’t hard to persuade. They’re proud of what they make.

It is the opposite of a fashion sweater. Classically styled, honestly made, and designed to improve with use rather than date with it. Exactly the kind of thing we built Homestedt around.

What you’re getting

Each sweater contains between 1.3 and 2.3lb of long-fibre British wool — a lot of it, by modern standards. The middle weight of our three British wool styles — heavier and warmer than the cable knit, lighter than the suede patch — and the one that started it all for us.

Minimally processed and sourced from independent farmers in Lancashire whose sheep roam freely and are sheared once a year. The yarn is spun in the Pennine mountains, knitted, steam pressed, and finished by hand at the mill. Nothing travels far. Nothing is rushed.

A note on softness: this is not a cashmere sweater. It’s a working wool sweater, and it feels like one — substantial and a little rugged when new, softening with wear over time. If you have a high sensitivity to natural wool, it’s worth bearing in mind.

There’s also a faint lanolin smell when new — the natural oil in the wool that gives it its water resistance and longevity. We think it’s rather pleasant. Most of our customers agree. Either way, it fades.

A little history

The birdseye and ragg wool patterns that inspired this sweater have their origins in Scandinavian and British fishing communities — practical solutions to cold, wet conditions that turned out to also be quietly beautiful. We spotted a sweater from this same mill in the Gothenburg Maritime Museum, cited as one of the most authentic examples of the fisherman style. We like to think our customers are in good company.

Materials & Fit

100% Lancashire wool. Unisex. Men fit true to size; women generally size down. Our male model wears a medium at 5’10” and 163lb. Our female model wears an extra small at 5’7” and 125lb.

Care

Machine wash on a wool, delicates, or hand wash setting — no higher than 30°C. A mild or wool-specific detergent. Hand washing is better if you have the patience. Add a few drops of baby oil to the rinse water to keep the wool at its best. Always dry flat on a towel — never hang, which will stretch it out of shape over time.