Nan Bray

White Gum Wool

Nan Bray fell head-over-heels in love with Tasmania the first time she visited in 1997. The California-born former CSIRO ocean scientist took one look at the craggy coast, rolling hills and ancient forests, and felt at home. Nan now breeds Merino sheep at Oatlands, south of Hobart, and produces some of the finest hand-knitting yarn in the world. At 64, she also has a following on social media, where she posts blogs and live videos of her shepherding life.

“The yarn pretty much sells itself,” she says, “but I’m selling the story behind it and that story has turned out to be just as important to people as the product. They like the fact that my production is aimed at trying to find the best animal welfare I can. They like that I share what I’m learning and my relationship with the flock. All of that has drawn people in.”

It’s no wonder people are intrigued – White Gum Wool is unique. The wool itself is in the 14 to 17 micron range (which is just ridiculously soft and fine) and the colours are inspired by the local landscape. Nan’s sheep all live together in one flock, where they can communicate and forage freely, and her focus is on natural nutrition and animal health.

Nan sells a quarter of her wool online and has recently launched a new website, which integrates social media, a yarn and fleece store, and a “slow fashion portal” with patterns for knitters. “Everything

I do fits in well with the slow fashion ethos and, of course, knitting is slow – it really is,” she says, chuckling.

Everything I do fits in well with the slow fashion ethos.