British Wool Suede Patch Sweater - Heathered Green | Made in England

Description

The heaviest sweater in our British wool collection. Made in England from 100% Lancashire wool, with suede reinforcement patches at the shoulder and elbow. Built for the kind of use that wears lesser things out.

Why it’s here

The suede patch sweater has its roots in the fields and farms of rural Britain — a working garment worn by gamekeepers, farmers, and sportsmen who needed something that could take real punishment. The shoulder patch reinforces where a rifle rests. The elbow patch protects against the constant wear of leaning — on fences, on walls, on the rough surfaces that come with a life spent outdoors. Nothing decorative about it. Every detail earned its place the hard way.

Ours is made by the same father-and-son mill in the English Midlands that makes all of our British wool sweaters — a small operation with roots going back to World War Two, using minimally processed long-fibre wool from independent Lancashire farmers. We found them ten years ago, drove to the mill in person, and haven’t looked elsewhere since. This is the heaviest sweater they make for us, and our favourite for the deepest part of winter.

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 heaviest of our three British wool styles — noticeably more substantial than the Nordic or cable knit, and warmer for it.

The suede patches are genuine suede — soft, durable, and naturally water-resistant — at the shoulder and elbow, where a sweater takes the most punishment. They’ll develop their own patina over time. That’s rather the point.

Like all our wool sweaters, minimally processed — which means a faint lanolin smell when new that fades with wear, and a working-wool character that softens and improves with use rather than age. This style fits a little more generously than our Nordic sweater — we’d suggest sizing down one from your usual if you prefer a closer fit.

A note on softness: this is working wool, not cashmere. If you have a high sensitivity to natural wool, it’s worth bearing in mind.

A little history

The shooting and country sports tradition of rural Britain produced some of its most enduring design — practical garments refined over generations by people who needed them to work. The suede patch sweater is one of them. Originally worn by gamekeepers and estate workers across the English countryside, it became a staple of rural life precisely because nothing worked better. We think that’s still true.

Materials & Fit

100% Lancashire wool with genuine suede patches at shoulder and elbow. Unisex. Fits generously — runs approximately one size larger than our Nordic and cable knit styles. We recommend sizing down one from your usual. 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.