The story of flokk & fjell
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The Architect
My name is Annemieke, and I am the owner and architect at flokk & fjell. Throughout my life, I have always had a fascination with nature, especially farming. During my childhood, we frequently visited my grandparents' cabin, where I loved spending time in the woods and fields. I enjoyed forming connections with the animals on the surrounding farms, especially the sheep. Being outside and among the animals brought me great joy, and I felt at peace.
In my work as an architect, I am aware that this feeling of peace and joy is known as biophilia—the understanding of how humans are deeply connected to nature and how this connection impacts various aspects of our lives. Research shows that this includes health, well-being, and creativity. By incorporating materials like wool into architectural projects, people will feel better and work better.
At flokk & fjell we use the wool in its purest form, with minimal processing, and with the colors of plant dyes. Read more about the sheep, Norwegian nature, the plant dyes and the process further below.
The sheep
These sheep, owned by local farmers, produce the wool used in our textiles. They spend the summer in the mountains and move closer to the farm in winter. Although they have access to the stable, they prefer being outside even in cold weather and heavy snow. Well-adapted to the climate, they can eat what's accessible, including the bark of trees.
We primarily utilize the wool from two traditional sheep breeds native to Norway – the Gammalnorsk Spælsau (Old Norwegian Short Tail Landrace) and the Norwegian Pelt Sheep (Pelssau). Each breed possesses clear and unique characteristics.
The Gammalnorsk Spælsau, also known as the Old Norwegian Short Tail Landrace, is an ancient and robust breed recognized for its resilience in Norway's rough and challenging landscapes. They have a short tail and a variety of wool colors, both rams and ewes have horns. Well-adapted to graze in the mountains and coastal areas, these sheep find food even in harsh conditions. Their rough, two-layered wool keeps them warm and protects them from the cold.
On the other hand, the Pelssau, also known as Norwegian Pelt Sheep, is highly valued for its shiny, thick fur. It's mostly used for fur and high quality wool products. These sheep have been bred for many years and have gotten used to Norway's weather.
Both kinds of sheep have been very important in Norway's farming history. They show how diverse and strong sheep farming has been, both in the past and now.
The landscape
In the Vestland region of Norway, ancient sheep breeds like the gammelnorsk spælsau and the Norwegian Pelt Sheep have wandered freely the rough landscapes for centuries.
These sheep play a crucial role in shaping the landscape, with their grazing habits helping to manage vegetation growth and prevent overgrowth of certain plant species. This, in turn, preserves the biodiversity and unique character of the Vestland countryside.
Their presence is a testament to the strength of Norwegian culture and the enduring bond between humans and the natural world.
In the mountains around Sandane, there are several places named 'støyl’, a mountain farm primarily used for sheep. The støyl in the picture is named Gimmestadstøylen. Some of the lichen called Steinlav that we use for dyeing can be found growing on the stones here.
In the past, støyler had several important functions:
Summer grazing area: Animals were moved to higher mountain areas during the summer to take advantage of grazing resources, while lowland areas could be used for other purposes or left to rest.
Milk Production: Some støyler also functioned as mountain dairies, where milk production took place. The milk was used to make dairy products such as cheese and butter.
Sheep Counting and Care: Støyler served as locations for counting and caring for sheep. This was important to ensure that all sheep were present and in good health.
Meeting Places: Støyler also served as meeting places for collaborating sheep owners. Here, they could exchange knowledge and assist each other in looking after their flocks.
Social Events: At times, støyler were used for social events. This could include celebrations, marking important occasions, or providing an opportunity for sheep owners to gather socially.
The colors
At flokk & fjell, we have handpicked the finest natural plant dyes from Norway and around the world to bring you a kaleidoscope of organic colors. It is natural for us to choose the dye pigments nature gives not only to honor the beautiful wool but also to respect and preserve the environment:
Eco-Friendly: With increasing concerns about our environmental impact, turning to natural plant dye is a conscious choice. Unlike synthetic alternatives, our dyes are derived from sustainable sources, leaving behind a smaller carbon footprint.
Connection with Nature: Working with natural plant dye bridges the gap between creativity and the natural world. Each batch of dye carries the essence of the Earth, connecting you with ancient traditions and the beauty of our planet's resources.
Unique Colors: Natural plant dyes offer an amazing range of colors that cannot be created by synthetic dyes. Warm orange browns from the Norwegian lichen Steinlav, calming blues sourced from indigo leaves and bright yellows from the leaves of the many birch trees in Norway, a beautiful journey of limitless colors.
Distinctive Results: One of the most remarkable aspects of natural plant dye is its ability to yield unique results. Every dye batch produces variations in pigment, ensuring that each of our creation becomes an individual work of art.
The Prosess
At flokk & fjell, we directly obtain our wool from local farmers, who shear the sheep once or twice a year. Once the wool reaches our studio, it undergoes sorting and cleansing processes. The finest wool is reserved for our textiles, while the remaining wool finds purpose in insulation mats integrated into our frames and other installations.
Depending on the project, the wool is carded and dyed. We card by hand on small carding mills to ensure the wool doesn’t get overcarded. We aim to preserve the structure of the wool in our textiles, avoiding overcarding that would make both the wool and textiles more even and less structured.
The dyeing process can occur before or after the wool is carded, depending on the project. We have a dye room in our studio in Sandane, where we use our own recipes developed over the last 15 years.
Our dyes are derived from plants, specifically the leaves, flowers, stems, or roots. This thoughtful approach not only reflects our dedication to eco-conscious choices but also infuses our products with the natural colors inspired by the rich landscapes of Norway.
After the preparations are finished, we put the layers of wool on the table where we felt the wool. The textiles must be strong, so we carefully place the wool in different directions to ensure proper construction. Wool felting involves the application of moisture, heat, and agitation to natural wool fibers. The microscopic scales on the wool fibers interlock with each other under these conditions, creating a dense, matted fabric known as felt. Due to this process, the wool from the layer on the backside becomes visible on the front, a factor we consider when planning production.
After felting, the wool felt textile is rinsed and hung up to dry.
