About us
Pirilana was born out of love for natural products and their environment.
About us
Pirilana was born out of love for natural products and their environment.
About us
Pirilana was born out of love for natural products and their environment.
The origin
Our project was born in the Pyrenees; surrounded by robust valleys, high mountains, different vegetation depending on the mountain slope and an unpredictable climate.
The sheep spend their summers in the high mountains at an altitude of about 2,000 m and spend the winter in the valley with their shepherd. Seasonal weather changes are reflected in their wool, just as different breeds adapt to the vegetation offered by each region.
The association Obrador Xisqueta
A few years ago, I met the association ‘Obrador Xisqueta’ at a fair in Barcelona; when they were promoting their wool from the Pyrenees.
The association ‘Obrador Xisqueta’ was born to help the shepherds, who re-introduced the autochthonous sheep in an area of the Pyrenees called Pallarés, buying the wool at a fair price.
I was enthusiastic about the project.
At home we had Dutch woollen duvets.
One fine day; after many years, I decided that I needed to renew them.
It was at that moment that I remembered the association and thought: Why don’t I make quilts here like the ones I have from Holland?
With this fantastic wool from the Pyrenees!
La Xisquetas
That same summer, while on holiday in the Pyrenees, I began my search for the Xisquetas.
I found them in LLesui, a small village high up in the mountains in the Pallars Sobirà area.
The local people were charming, and after long and pleasant conversations we came to the conclusion that they had not thought of making woollen quilts, as opposed to blankets; a more common product in the area.
And the duvets are lighter!
I wanted to learn all about the Xisquetas and their wool.
Wool selection
At the end of the summer I had the opportunity to attend a tria, which takes place when sheep come down together in a giant flock from the high mountain (2000 m) after spending the summer there. At this point each shepherd takes back his flock.
In May we attend a xollada, a shearing, on the farm of a shepherdess in LLesui. Each shepherdess recovers her flock.
It is exceptional to see how the shearers do their job with all their professionalism.
Afterwards, the wool passes through the critical hands of the girls of the association. Here the wool is already separated into different bags for different uses.
This way I could also choose the best wool for our quilts.
