Horatio's Scarf

Inspired by the seafaring tales of Hornblower, and the quiet, steadfast labour of his wife Maria Mason, this traditional sailor’s scarf pays tribute to the knitwear once made ashore for men at sea. Knitted in a natural brown Ryeland wool blend, it reflects the practical, hard-wearing scarves produced by naval wives across Wales and the South East, where warmth, durability, and function mattered above all else.

Each scarf is made at the Yarnhouse in Abertillery. Designed for life on deck and beyond, it is produced as a long, double-layered knit for added protection against cold winds, and finished with a wooden toggle fastening to maintain an authentic naval appearance.

This same attention to historical detail has seen examples of these scarves made for the V&A, Chatham Dockyard, and Portsmouth Dockyard, as well as for Disney’s Pirates productions and BBC historical adaptations, where accuracy and authenticity are essential.