Knitted from the same yarn

Later, we head out into our fields. In total, we farm around 40 hectares of land, a large part of which is leased. The animals graze on the grass and, at the same time, keep the meadows open. This not only produces meat and wool, but also creates the cultural landscape that characterises the region. Our greatest asset is this well-maintained landscape. For me, this is an important part of our work. Guests don’t just come here for the mountains. They also experience the meadows, the animals and a landscape that has been farmed for generations. To ensure it is preserved, someone has to look after it every day.

In summer, part of the flock is up on the alp. There, the animals roam over vast areas, some of which are difficult to access. Alongside the weather, injuries and daily checks, the wolf is now also one of the concerns we have to contend with. We cannot stand constantly beside every single sheep. That is why we need vigilance, experience and protective measures that can actually be implemented on steep terrain. The joy of a good alpine summer remains great. At the same time, we always bear the responsibility for the animals. That is why a shepherdess and a dog are accompanying the one flock that Patrick, my son, is going to visit today. Once the sheepfold has been tended to and the work on the pastures is done, the journey of the wool continues. Then Ruth takes over.

My day starts at about a quarter past six. First, I tend to the small animals at home and think about who’ll be there for lunch. We have chickens, a couple of donkeys and a dog. A lot of things can be organised, but not quite everything. A phone call, an animal that’s got loose or an unexpected task can throw the whole plan into disarray. Farming, family and Wollreich all run alongside one another, and sometimes you just have to remain flexible. At Wollreich, I head to the studio first thing in the morning. Next to the studio is the production area, where the washed wool is processed into bales – a process known as carding. This happens before it’s further processed in the studio. I check which orders are due, what needs to be prepared, and whether everyone has enough work for the day. After that, I go to the office to deal with unanswered emails, deliveries and organisational matters. In the past, the studio, shop and office were closer together. Today, the shop is right in the centre of the village of Meiringen. Despite all the organisation involved, wool remains a unique material to me. It inspires so many new creations, and the work is very meditative. We also run the ‘Wullehuus’ above Meiringen. It’s a holiday home, far away from the noise. It’s filled with lots of our own wool products, from the insulation and mattresses right through to the décor.

I can hold the wool in my hands. I can feel whether it’s fine or coarse, and when I’m felting, I can see straight away how something new is taking shape from the fibres. I find that a bit harder with digital programmes. Of course, we need emails, online shops and digital platforms these days. Nevertheless, I particularly value personal contact. A chat in the shop, a customer touching a product, or a chance encounter in the village means a great deal to me. Fortunately, I have excellent staff who have a good grasp of the technology and even manage some of it for me.