Slate: The Ernest Travel Wrap is a limited edition of five hand-spun, hand-woven blanket scarves designed exclusively for Ernest by Imogen Di Sapia – a British weaver and exhibiting artist-maker in textiles based on the south coast of England.

Using South Downs and Romney Marsh fleece as a base, Imogen’s variegated yarn is ethical and traceable; every fleece she sources originates in small rare breed flocks, selected for their unique qualities.

Imogen then spins additional fibres into the base such as North Ronaldsay, a lanolin-rich wool from seaweed eating sheep in the Orkney Islands (sourced directly from the sole inhabitants on the Isle of Auskerry), as well as classic British wools such as Jacob, a rustic and robust fleece that softens over time, Bluefaced Leicester and super soft Welsh alpaca. A gentle sheen comes from wild-harvested Muga silk, sourced from a women’s co-op in Assam, India, which comes in a natural gold colour and smells of tea.

Imogen sees weaving as a form of storytelling through objects, and Slate spins a tale of mountain strata and approaching weather fronts. “The story I’m telling with this piece is about layering: of elements, stone, weather and time,” she says. “As I weave, I see the various layers like a landscape; it’s almost like I’m building up strata in rock in the fabric of the piece.”

This layering process builds a colour palette that’s a glorious mix of warm stone, purple-greys and soft steely blues. As well as being beautiful to behold, the wrap is also strong, versatile and weather proof. “The ultimate aim is for the wrap to keep you warm when you’re out in the elements,” says Imogen. “I don’t know where these five wraps will travel next. As the weaver, I’ve played my part in the story; now they’re ready to go out and gather more tales of adventure.”