Why Ethically Sourced Wool Matters at Penny Grace Knitwear
- Helen Deely
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Colourful Penny Grace Knitwear accessories for women and men.
In my last blog post, Why Choose Wool, I shared why I love working with this incredible fibre for its softness, warmth, breathability, and natural beauty. But there’s another side to the story that matters just as much: where the wool comes from and how it is produced.
At Penny Grace Knitwear, I want my pieces not only to feel wonderful to wear, but also to be made with care and respect for the animals and the land that provide this fibre. That’s why I choose only ethically sourced wool. Here’s what that really means.
What Is Mulesing — and Why Is It an Issue?
Mulesing is a painful procedure carried out on sheep to prevent a condition called flystrike. It involves removing strips of skin from around the breech (backside) of the sheep, often without pain relief. While flystrike can be fatal, the method used to prevent it causes pain and distress to the animals.
As awareness of animal welfare in wool production has grown, mulesing has become a major concern for both consumers and designers. Like many others, I believe there are more humane and responsible ways to care for sheep.
Non-Mulesed Merino Wool: An Ethical Choice for Animal Welfare
The Merino wool I use at Penny Grace Knitwear comes from non-mulesed sheep. This means the farms and suppliers I work with do not practise mulesing at all.
Instead, they use ethical and preventative approaches to animal care, such as breeding sheep that are less prone to flystrike, maintaining clean and well-managed environments, and using humane alternatives where needed.
Choosing non-mulesed Merino wool means choosing wool from sheep that have been treated with care and respect throughout their lives, something that is incredibly important to me as a designer and maker.
RWS Certified Wool: What It Means
All of the Merino wool I use is RWS certified (Responsible Wool Standard). This internationally recognised certification ensures that the wool is fully traceable back to the farm and that strict standards are met at every stage of production.
The Responsible Wool Standard covers animal welfare, responsible land management, and social practices across the supply chain. It helps protect soil health and biodiversity, while ensuring sheep are treated ethically and humanely.
I source my yarn from the world-renowned UK spinners Z. Hinchliffe, based in the Denby Dale area of Yorkshire. With over 200 years of expertise in spinning, they are known for producing high-quality yarns with a strong commitment to responsible production.
The Merino wool itself originates in Australia and is RWS certified, meaning it can be traced back to the farm and is produced in line with strict standards for animal welfare, land management, and ethical practices throughout the supply chain.
Proud to Be a Woolmark Licensee
I’m also proud to share that Penny Grace Knitwear is now a Woolmark licensee. This globally recognised certification confirms that the wool I use meets the highest standards of quality, performance, and authenticity, as set by The Woolmark Company.
The Woolmark symbol is a trusted mark within the textile industry and gives reassurance that the wool used is genuine, high quality, and fit for purpose.
Why This Matters to Me — and You
As a small, independent knitwear brand, I believe that every decision matters. The wool I use isn’t just soft, warm, and luxurious — it’s also traceable, cruelty free, and responsibly sourced.
By choosing non-mulesed, RWS certified, Woolmark approved Merino wool, I’m committing to high animal welfare standards, responsible farming practices, and transparent supply chains.
It means that when you choose a piece from Penny Grace Knitwear, you’re choosing slow fashion that has been thoughtfully made, with integrity at every stage.
If you’d like to explore the pieces made using this ethically sourced wool, you can browse the Penny Grace Knitwear collection.
You can also read more about why I choose wool as a fibre in my previous post, Why Choose Wool, where I share the benefits of wool and why it plays such an important role in my work.
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