From the Stable to Design
At Mutur Beltz, we are committed to promoting Basque wool from its origin to its transformation into high-quality yarns and unique handcrafted creations. We control every stage of the process, from shearing our sheep to creating handcrafted pieces that respect tradition and the environment. As shepherds, creators, artisans, and wool transformers, our goal is to preserve the pastoral cultural heritage and promote sustainability every step of the way.
Production Process
Our process is divided into two fundamental stages:
Raw material production: Since 2017, Mutur Beltz has been working with shepherds in Karrantza, most of whom are members of the Basque Association for the Defense and Protection of the Black-Faced Carranzana Sheep (Avascane). We purchase wool from around 14-15 shepherds at a fair price, reducing the local environmental impact. We actively participate in shearing, fleece selection, and cleaning the stables through auzolan (community work). We pay one euro per sheep, one of the highest prices in the country.
Supporting the primary sector is essential for us, as wool is considered a by-product and the Carranzana sheep is in danger of extinction. This project represents a political commitment and a recognition of ancestral practices that help preserve the pastoral tradition.
Artisanal textile transformation:
After shearing, the wool undergoes a rigorous industrial washing and drying process that removes grease and impurities while keeping the plant matter intact. It is then carded, spun, and woven to suit the specific needs of each design.
For this stage, we collaborate with textile factories in different regions, such as the Basque Country, Malaga, Castile and Leon, Cuenca, Murcia, Alicante, and France. These factories share our commitment to sustainability and quality, guaranteeing an environmentally friendly process and the valorization of wool as a resource.
Design, manufacturing, and innovation
Laurita Siles Ceballos, co-creator of Mutur Beltz, leads the design and manufacturing process from her small workshop located between Karrantza and Algorta. Here, she works closely with artisan workshops in the Basque Country and Andalusia. Laurita also conducts research on Basque wool and develops R&D&I projects that seek to transform this resource into innovative products.Turning challenges into opportunities: Carranzana sheep wool, which has historically been limited to artisanal use, has become a problem for many shepherds, as much of it is discarded in manure pits. Institutions face the challenge of finding a solution. However, at Mutur Beltz we have turned this situation into an opportunity, transforming Carranzana wool into an innovative product on the market and making our work a historic milestone.
Preserve, create, and participate
The Mutur Beltz trademark is the result of a local revitalization project carried out in the Carranza Valley. Giving meaning to production, with respect for people, animals, and Mother Earth. Keeping ancestral knowledge alive and adapting it to our contemporary world. Art and design allow us to explore the potential of wool, using industrial techniques and artisan knowledge.
With this future perspective, Mutur Beltz would like to point out that buying products made with this wool helps to maintain livestock farming in the Karrantza Valley, helps to save the species from extinction, protects the landscape, and boosts local trade, creating a circular economy, as we pay a high price to shepherds for their wool.