The name Le Courriqua dates back to the feudal era, when the island of Guernsey was divided into fiefs. The Le Courriqua fief is a small area of land comprising just a handful of fields overlooking Fort Grey, which the family are privileged to call their own.
Today, the brand care for its own flock of sheep, with plans to develop it over time. The company's long-term ambition is to produce a beautifully soft, airy yarn that is comfortable to wear throughout the year.
As the flock will never be large enough to support commercial production, Le Courriqua also commissions a bespoke yarn blend. This ensures every garment is exceptionally soft to the touch, comfortable to wear and made to last. It's hope is that each piece becomes an old friend, something treasured and returned to year after year.
Le Courriqua works alongside experienced specialists at every stage of the process, continually learning, refining techniques and embracing best practice. This collaborative approach allows them to create timeless Guernsey heritage knitwear of the highest standard.
The welfare of the flock is paramount and requires daily care. Feeding, watering, checking hooves, vaccinating and moving the sheep between fields are all part of the routine.
The flock itself was inherited and is affectionately described as a Heinz 57 mix of breeds. Its first fleece was sent to The Natural Fibre Company, where the bag of fleece labelled Pet Flock was weighed. “I haven’t heard of that breed before” joked James, who was receiving the fleece.
Another significant milestone was learning to operate the Shima Seiki WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine. This piece of engineering required an intensive five-day training course for three members of the Le Courriqua team. While the technology was initially daunting, Kristie and Robert quickly mastered the machine. There is still much to learn, but with the continued support of the Shima Seiki team and experienced industry mentors, production is now well underway.
Just one month after launching on 25 June 2026, Le Courriqua has been delighted by the response to its Guernsey heritage knitwear. Even during one of the hottest periods on record, customers have embraced the collection of Guernsey jumpers, scarves and hats. Many have also chosen to personalise their garments with embroidered Guernésiais sayings, adding another layer of island heritage to each piece.
Here is what Le Courriqua said about joining UKFT membership:
"The decision to join UKFT was an organic one. I wanted to know a little more about The Natural Fibre Company and more generally starting a business such as ours. Lindsay Girvan - Future Vintage, answered my call for advice and was so very helpful. One of the best pieces of advice she gave me was to join UKFT. She had joined when her business was also at an early stage and had received a very warm welcome, valuable technical advice and important introductions. It was a no brainer! "
