Swiss Wool Library

Building on the model of the Alpine Wool Library, the Swiss Wool Library systematically documents and showcases the fibre properties of all Swiss sheep breeds. It combines scientific analysis with physical textile samples to provide designers, brands, students and researchers with transparent, practical information for material sourcing. By exploring local wool through both data and hands-on experience, the Library enables the integration of Swiss, bio-based fibres into eco-design and circular fashion strategies.

From Fibre to Design

Building on the model of the Alpine Wool Library, the Swiss Wool Library systematically documents and showcases the fibre properties of all Swiss sheep breeds. It combines scientific analysis with physical textile samples to provide designers, brands, students and researchers with transparent, practical information for material sourcing. By exploring local wool through both data and hands-on experience, the Library enables the integration of Swiss, bio-based fibres into eco-design and circular fashion strategies.

The initiative draws on the experience of the AlpTextyles pilot project, which presented a curated collection of wool from six Alpine sheep breeds, combining raw fibres, spun yarns, knitted, woven, and felted samples with scientific data and descriptive fiches. This approach demonstrated the value of understanding each breed’s unique properties and inspired new ways to use wool beyond the finest grades.

The Swiss Wool Library aims to expand this vision to include all Swiss breeds, creating a comprehensive resource that bridges research, craft, and design. By doing so, it ensures that local wool is no longer wasted, farmers receive fair income for their fibres, and the industry gains the knowledge to use Swiss wool effectively.

More than a collection, the Swiss Wool Library is envisioned as a long-term platform for research, education, and innovation—strengthening connections between agriculture, textile craftsmanship, and industrial application, and transforming Swiss wool into a valued resource for a sustainable textile and fashion industry.

Wool Library x AlpTextyles

Laying the Groundwork for the Swiss Wool Library

Wool has more to offer than we often give it credit for. This pilot initiative presents a curated collection of wool samples from native sheep breeds across the Alpine region—not only documenting their fibre characteristics scientifically, but also exploring their potential through hands-on processing.

We experimented with spinning, knitting, weaving, and felting techniques to better understand how each type of wool behaves. The aim was to make visible the unique properties of different breeds and to spark conversation within the textile industry - encouraging a broader appreciation of wool in all its forms, not just the finest grades.

In collaboration with AlpTextyles, we worked with six Alpine sheep breeds: Engadin Sheep from Switzerland, South German Merino, Merino d’Arles from France, Montafon Stone Sheep from Austria, Bergamasca Sheep from Italy, and Carinthian Spectacled Sheep from Slovenia. Each breed is represented through raw fibre samples, yarns spun using different techniques, and swatches showcasing a range of textile applications. Each sample is accompanied by a card featuring both a narrative introduction and scientific data.

You can view the full documentation of our experiments here.

This pilot lays the groundwork for a larger vision: the Swiss Wool Library - a long-term resource for research, education, and innovation around regional wool. By connecting science, craft, and design, we hope to reframe how we value and use this versatile natural fibre.

Sign up here to follow along as the Wool Library evolves.

What does it take to get to know a fibre?

We started with raw wool and went hands-on: sorting, cleaning, spinning, felting, knitting, and weaving. These images show fragments of that exploration.

All images and texts © Alix Arto, Emma Casella & Nina Conrad