Celrbating Craft, Community & Conscious Creativity with Barrydale Hand Weavers

Celebrating  Craft, Community, and Conscious Creativity

For years, we’ve admired the work of Barrydale Hand Weavers—not just the exceptional quality of their handwoven textiles, but the spirit of intentionality, community, and care that threads through every piece they make. Their story is one of heritage and innovation, rooted in the quiet town of Barrydale in South Africa’s Klein Karoo, where craft is not only preserved but evolved.

We had the honour of speaking with Barrydale Hand weavers , who, along with their talented team of weavers and makers, have grown Barrydale Hand Weavers into a modern brand grounded in tradition.

For owners Kate and Arran Bastable, the journey to Barrydale Hand Weavers was both long and short. While visiting family in Barrydale, they discovered the business, fell in love with the products, and even wrapped their firstborn in a Barrydale Hand Weavers blanket. When the opportunity came in 2018 to acquire the business from family friend Carol Morris, they made the leap—despite three small children recently moved from Scotland, two major career changes, and a full reassessment of priorities. It was a conscious decision to slow down.

The story stretches back further: the skilled makers had been part of the business for years before Kate and Arran brought their unique talents and innovation. The artisans remain at the heart of the business, now better equipped than ever to grow within it. Barrydale Hand Weavers has evolved from a small-town venture into a modern producer of exceptional handwoven products.

What makes hand weaving so special compared to industrial textile production?

Every product is made by a person, not a machine. We use flying shuttles or hand shuttles—making one large towel takes about 1,700 throws of the shuttle. It’s far more labour-intensive than industrial production, but the result is a truly handcrafted piece.

Can you walk us through what goes into creating a Barrydale Hand Weavers piece—from concept to final product?

We start with locally grown cotton, spun in South Africa, used in its natural state or dyed to specification. Our warp—over 1,300 individual threads—must be tensioned with precision, a process that’s a team effort requiring strength, coordination, and camaraderie.

Each thread is knotted by hand to maintain perfect tension. Once warping and knotting are complete, we wind the bobbins—one of the few steps involving electricity, though we can do it manually.

Then comes the heart of our craft: hand weaving on a flying shuttle. For example, a beach towel requires more than 1,400 shuttle throws, with each weft yarn beaten into place by hand. Throughout the process, we wind the fabric onto rollers every 30cm and change bobbins for each colour change.

Once weaving is complete, the fabric is cut, sewn, pre-shrunk, washed, tumble-dried, and ironed. Every item undergoes meticulous quality control before it leaves our Weavery.

How do you decide which designs make it into your core product range?

Our core range is inspired by a timeless, classical base collection that we continually refine and develop.

Your fabrics exude a sense of timelessness. What inspires your aesthetic direction?

We draw inspiration from the simplicity and durability of classic design, the textures and tones of the Karoo landscape, and the heritage of traditional weaving. Our aim is to create pieces that feel both contemporary and enduring—beautiful today, and just as relevant years from now.

You work closely with designers on bespoke collections—what makes a good design collaboration for you?

For us, the best collaborations are full of curiosity and playfulness. We love exploring new ways of doing things and enjoy the creative spark that designers bring to the table.

How do you balance the creative freedom of collaborating designers with your brand’s signature style and values?

If a designer can work within the limitations of our looms, we’re open to exploring how we can bring their vision to life. It’s about finding the sweet spot where their creativity meets our craftsmanship.

Can you share a favourite collaboration or product story that stands out?

One that really stands out is working with Luke from Uniform—he saw dresses where we saw placemats. It completely opened our eyes to new possibilities. Our ongoing collaboration with The Adorned is also very special—Nastasha block prints on our runners and placemats, and we love selling those pieces in our store. And then there was the work we did for the Hollywood production The Woman King—that was an unforgettable experience.

Barrydale Hand Weavers is clearly people-powered. How do you approach training and skill development for your team?

We hold yearly evaluations and always ask our team what else they’d like to learn within the business. When opportunities arise, we work on upskilling them so they can step into new roles. We also encourage cross-training, so skills and knowledge are shared across the team.

What does empowerment look like in your workplace?

For us, empowerment means giving our team the trust, tools, and autonomy to make decisions in their roles. We encourage input on new ideas, involve staff in problem-solving, and recognise individual contributions. It’s about making sure every person feels valued, heard, and confident that their work has an impact beyond their loom or station.

Can you share the story of a team member whose journey particularly inspires you?

Our Master Weaver is the reason Barrydale Hand Weavers exists. His deep knowledge and decades of experience have shaped the quality and style of everything we create. Beyond his skill, he has mentored and inspired countless team members, passing on techniques that keep traditional weaving alive in Barrydale. Today, we have a team of 15 weavers — 9 of whom are women — whose creativity and dedication carry this tradition forward. As we celebrate Women’s Month, we honour the women at the loom who weave not only beautiful textiles but also the future of our craft.

How has the Barrydale community shaped your business – and vice versa?

Barrydale is at the heart of everything we do. By mainly employing people from the community, we draw on local talent, knowledge, and traditions to create our products. In turn, our business supports the town through job creation, skills development, and opportunities for growth, fostering a strong, lasting connection with the people around us.

Why is it important to you to keep your sourcing and production local?

Supporting the South African economy is a core part of our values. Barrydale is our home, and by keeping our production here, we’re investing directly in our community—creating jobs, preserving skills, and contributing to the town’s livelihood.

How do you ensure your supply chain stays aligned with your sustainability values?

We work closely with trusted local suppliers and maintain open communication to ensure materials meet our quality and sustainability standards. By sourcing within South Africa, we reduce transport distances and maintain full visibility over the production process.

What are the biggest challenges and rewards of working only with South African-sourced cotton?

One challenge is that natural cotton can have slight colour variations from batch to batch, which requires flexibility. The reward is knowing that our cotton supports Southern African agriculture, keeps our supply chain close to home, and allows us to work with a natural, sustainable fibre that reflects our region’s heritage.16. What are your hopes for the next chapter of Barrydale Hand Weavers? 

What does growth look like to you – and how do you ensure it doesn’t compromise your core values?

Growth for us means expanding both within South Africa and internationally, while staying true to our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and supporting local artisans. Every new partnership or market we enter is evaluated to ensure it aligns with our values, so that expansion never comes at the expense of the integrity and heart of Barrydale Hand Weavers.

Discover more at Barrydale Weavers.
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