From Sheep Farms to Our Craft Table: The Story Behind Our Felt

On a recent holiday road trip through New Zealand, we pulled over along a quiet stretch of highway to soak in a scene that felt almost unreal — rolling green hills dotted with the most adorable sheep you can imagine. They were everywhere (the rumours are true — there really are more sheep than people).

Standing there with my camera, surrounded by soft bleats and open sky, one thought kept returning:

“This is where my felt comes from.”

That simple moment created a powerful connection between the landscapes in front of me and the materials I work with every day at Five Olive Leaves.

A Material With a Meaningful Beginning

I’ve always believed that knowing where your materials come from deepens the value of what you create. But this trip sparked something more — a genuine curiosity about the journey from sheep to finished felt.

Wool doesn’t begin as a craft supply. It begins as a renewable gift from nature.

Sheep are shorn (a process that keeps them healthy and comfortable), and their fleece is cleaned, carded, and processed. Through moisture, heat, and friction, the wool fibers naturally lock together — forming felt without the need for weaving or knitting.

It’s a beautifully simple process that humans have used for thousands of years.

One of the Oldest — and Most Sustainable — Textiles

Felt is often overlooked, yet it’s one of the world’s oldest textiles and among the most environmentally responsible.

Natural wool felt offers:

• Renewability — Wool grows back every year
• Biodegradability — It returns to the earth at the end of its life
• Minimal processing compared to synthetic materials
• Durability — Long-lasting and resilient
• Versatility — Suitable for everything from decor to functional pieces

Working with sustainable wool and wool-blend felt aligns closely with our values at Five Olive Leaves: creating thoughtfully, responsibly, and with intention.

From Farm to Felt Sheets and Balls

During the trip, I spent time learning more about how raw fleece becomes the smooth sheets and perfectly round felt balls we know so well.

After cleaning and carding, fibers are layered and agitated until they bind together into dense fabric. That fabric can then be cut into sheets or shaped into forms like balls — the building blocks for so many handmade creations.

Eventually, these materials travel across the world, reaching local suppliers and finally finding their way to makers’ hands.

And that’s where the magic truly happens.

Why This Connection Matters

When you hold a piece of felt, it’s easy to see only the finished material. But behind it lies a long chain of care — from shepherds and farmers to processors, suppliers, and artisans.

That quiet roadside moment in New Zealand reminded me that crafting isn’t just about making beautiful things. It’s about honouring the journey of the materials themselves.

Every felt piece we use carries a story of land, animals, people, and tradition.

Crafted With Pride

Felt is forgiving, tactile, and endlessly versatile — but most importantly, it’s a material we feel proud to work with. Knowing its origins makes every project more meaningful.

From sheep-filled hillsides on the other side of the world to your home, each creation carries a small thread of that story.

And now, whenever I pick up a sheet of felt or string together a cluster of wool balls, I can’t help but picture those peaceful green fields and curious sheep watching us from the roadside.

A simple travel moment — transformed into a deeper appreciation for the materials that shape our craft. 🤍