Tag: localwool

I am ready!

Yarn chosen, swatch done, needles chosen and sketch complete – it is now time for the first Great Canadian Wool-a-Long!

What is a Great Canadian Wool-a=Long? Well the Wool-a-Long is the brainchild of Catherine Knutsson of The Small Bird Workshop.

I had been following Catherine for a while, but I first really met Catherine over a year ago when I purchased some Baby Doll/Mohair/Silk blend fingering from her last June. It was full on Covid and we spoke briefly on her porch where my little bag of yarn was waiting for me. I had been following her for a while – the concept of Canadian sourced wool yarns was very intriguing to me. I started a shawl with the yarn and then life got very busy. I was thinking of finishing the project as part of the Wool-a-long but the silk content was source outside of Canada. I might finish it as part of the project – if there is time.

The Wool-a-Long has been created to feature Canadian Wool, Canadian Designers and Canadian Makers in order to deepen understanding of our Canadian Fibre resources and to encourage and support its growth as a viable industry. Catherine has long been a proponent of supporting local sheep growers and has worked hard to keep perfectly usable wool fibre from being dumped into local landfills.

So starting Aug 1 and going until Oct 31 – we talk the talk and walk the walk – working with Canadian Wool (or fibre)(mandatory) and Canadian Designers (encouraged) (yes, this is self serving as I am a Canadian Designer!) and Canadian Makers (also encouraged).

Welcome to the 1st annual Great Canadian Wool-A-Long! This event will run from August 1 to October 31, 2022, and is designed to celebrate Canadian wool and fibre in all of its forms. Crafters of all varieties are invited to participate, and the only requirement is that you use wool that has been grown by sheep (or fibre animal or plant) that live in Canada and post a photo of your finished item!

SmallBird Workshop

There will be prizes and lots of opportunity to talk to other like minded crafters through the various social media sites (links below) and Catherine is organizing an almost weekly zoom meeting.

So I am in! I am going to work with a Tunis Lambswool that was sourced by Catherine from Ontario and I am going to design a cropped vest with a shirttail hem and textural details as my project. Come on along and watch my progress, all feedback welcome, and I will watch and encourage your progress as well!

Happy Knitting

Lynette

I have 16 patterns that were designed with Canadian Wools.

Bullseye Brioche , Wolf Song , Patchwork Butterfly Cap , Wet Coast Winter , Spiral Tam , North Sea Hap , OOkpik , Standing Tall Gauntlet Mittens , Sitka Poncho , T’woot Cute , Plaid Spirit Headband , Spirit Toques , West Coast Wrap Vest , “Cowichan” Styled Toques , Afternoon Tea Scarf , Bento Box Vest

Links below for more information.

Great Canadian Wool-a-Long

The SmallBird Workshop

Ravelry Group

Ravelry Thread

Instagram

Facebook