What Is Harris Tweed?

Not every tailor loves this fabric, as it is considerably harder to work with than a soft merino wool. Harris Tweed stands up to wind and weather. When others are already reaching for a coat, the wearer of Harris Tweed reaches only for a scarf. Tweed fabrics often last up to three lifetimes.

Close-up of the sleeve of a multicoloured check tweed jacket with three buttons – John Crocket

Weaver at an old loom in a room with a stone wall and a lantern – John Crocket

A distinctive feature of Harris Tweed is that the wool is dyed before it is spun into yarn. This makes it possible to create particularly complex colours, which are then finished with subtle but characteristic patterns. Besides the longevity of the colourful cloth, Harris Tweed also places great importance on warmth and breathability. At John Crocket, Harris Tweed is used mainly in tweed jackets and waistcoats and in tweed caps.

Hand holding a bundle of grey yarn threads with red and blue stripes at a loom – John Crocket

Rust-red tweed with the stamped Harris Tweed trade mark, orb and lettering – John Crocket

Black and white photograph of a barren hilly landscape with lakes and rocks – John Crocket

The Harris Tweed Story

Harris Tweed comes only from the Outer Hebridean islands of Harris, Lewis, Uist and Barra. The Harris Tweed Association was founded in 1909 and was the predecessor of today’s Harris Tweed Authority. Its trademark is the famous orb with the Maltese cross. To this day, Harris Tweed is the only fabric protected by law (an Act of Parliament). The law states that the tweed must be made from 100% pure new wool.

Historic black and white photograph: store room with numbered wooden shelves full of yarn, a worker in front – John Crocket

The tweed must be dyed and spun on the islands and woven on hand-operated looms in the islanders’ homes. Only then does it receive the Harris Tweed Authority seal, which is applied by hand. After that it may leave the islands by ferry, and because of the frequent storms this can sometimes be delayed by one or two weeks. The Harris Tweed can then be made up into tweed suits, tweed jackets and tweed waistcoats.