The Patterns
Ceremonial broadcloth has a look akin to Scottish tartans. Each islander has their own unique pattern, created from colours that are significant to them. This process is done in consultation with the person who will weave their broadcloth.
The flora on the island can produce the following range of colours, which can be mixed, and lightened or darkened in shade through blending of fibres.
Notes on typical usage are given below, though islanders also use personal preference; it's not an exact science and is open to wide interpretation.
Creamy white, undyed
The colour of the majority of the natural wool; can indicate the crafts of carding and spinning. Browns
Many variations of the strongest browns are used as a dominant colour by one of the oldest and largest families on the island, the Skylark family, whose emblem adorns the island's gray flag. Fawns & Tans
Pale browns and tans are often dominant colours associated with care of the island's animals. Greens
Traditionally the colour of shepherding, it can also represent the green of the woods and the fields. Yellows
A very commonly available colour, in a range of shades. Can represent a healthy crop and plentiful food, but also the bright lichen harvested by dyers. Oranges
Seen as somewhat garish if used as a main colour, but is a popular highlight to represent healing. As with yellows, it can represent brightly coloured lichen and the craft of a dyer, more typically the healing kind. Reds
Can indicate the craft of dyeing in terms of potions, and also war paint, and it represents those who have been wounded in battle. Also symbolises fire, typically as a highlight for blacksmiths. Claret & Burgundy
These wine colours often indicate the craft of weaving. Used as a highlight, it can represent a propensity for strategic thinking and knowledge. Purples
Both pale and dark, purples and blue-purples typically indicate a mender, though their tartans are often complex patterns. Pinks
As reds can be used to indicate the blood of sacrifice in battle, so pale reds are used to indicate self-sacrifice / selflessness. It is used sparingly as a highlight, and is usually gifted to someone by their weaver, rather than chosen. Blues
Due to the peculiarities of these natural dyes, the whole range of blues must be washed in seawater in order to set. This colour is used exclusively by those who are strongly connected to the sea. The families of sailors on the island are given blue yarn as well as cloth at their coming-of-age, and they wear traditional knitted sweaters. These usually have symbolic patterns knitted into them. Grays
Seen to represent the grey bedrock of The Island herself, grey is also the colour of The Fairy Cloth, so therefore a sacred colour strongly associated with the fairies. This is one of the most popular colours; the island's banner is silvery gray, and bears the outline of a skylark in flight. Black
The colour of some sheep's natural wool, but also achievable through dyeing. As a detail, this can indicate longterm mourning or historic family tragedy. It is also used by blacksmiths, sometimes as an almost solid colour. There are several online gadgets for designing your own tartan, such as Scotweb.
The colour of the majority of the natural wool; can indicate the crafts of carding and spinning. Browns
Many variations of the strongest browns are used as a dominant colour by one of the oldest and largest families on the island, the Skylark family, whose emblem adorns the island's gray flag. Fawns & Tans
Pale browns and tans are often dominant colours associated with care of the island's animals. Greens
Traditionally the colour of shepherding, it can also represent the green of the woods and the fields. Yellows
A very commonly available colour, in a range of shades. Can represent a healthy crop and plentiful food, but also the bright lichen harvested by dyers. Oranges
Seen as somewhat garish if used as a main colour, but is a popular highlight to represent healing. As with yellows, it can represent brightly coloured lichen and the craft of a dyer, more typically the healing kind. Reds
Can indicate the craft of dyeing in terms of potions, and also war paint, and it represents those who have been wounded in battle. Also symbolises fire, typically as a highlight for blacksmiths. Claret & Burgundy
These wine colours often indicate the craft of weaving. Used as a highlight, it can represent a propensity for strategic thinking and knowledge. Purples
Both pale and dark, purples and blue-purples typically indicate a mender, though their tartans are often complex patterns. Pinks
As reds can be used to indicate the blood of sacrifice in battle, so pale reds are used to indicate self-sacrifice / selflessness. It is used sparingly as a highlight, and is usually gifted to someone by their weaver, rather than chosen. Blues
Due to the peculiarities of these natural dyes, the whole range of blues must be washed in seawater in order to set. This colour is used exclusively by those who are strongly connected to the sea. The families of sailors on the island are given blue yarn as well as cloth at their coming-of-age, and they wear traditional knitted sweaters. These usually have symbolic patterns knitted into them. Grays
Seen to represent the grey bedrock of The Island herself, grey is also the colour of The Fairy Cloth, so therefore a sacred colour strongly associated with the fairies. This is one of the most popular colours; the island's banner is silvery gray, and bears the outline of a skylark in flight. Black
The colour of some sheep's natural wool, but also achievable through dyeing. As a detail, this can indicate longterm mourning or historic family tragedy. It is also used by blacksmiths, sometimes as an almost solid colour. There are several online gadgets for designing your own tartan, such as Scotweb.