The True Cost of Wool

The feeling and smell of a brand new skein of yarn is magical, the way it feels in your hands and on your needles, the beautiful shawl or sweater it will become. But how often do we consider the people that have had a hand in creating our yarn before it is ours. Do we know what resources have gone into our yarn and who is on the other end.

Do we really understand the wool supply chain both in Canada and globally? This lecture will take a deep dive into the Canadian wool industry and focus on the land, animals, labourers, mills and transport of our wool. We will look at some of the barriers and possibilities for creating a resilient, regenerative and inclusive Canadian Wool Industry.

(1-2hrs)

Soil to Soil: Growing our clothing in the Grasslands of the Canadian Prairies

Historically our clothing was an agricultural product – rooted in our landbase. Now, we are disconnected from the source and materials and our extractive clothing industry is responsible for environmental degradation, atrocious working conditions and millions of tons of landfill waste.  But we can build regional textile communities that work to regenerate land, strengthen our agricultural systems and provide meaningful employment in rural communities. A re-emergence of cottage industry textiles can lead to healthier environments and a soil-to-soil clothing model connects us to land, animal and community.

Farm to Yarn: Sourcing and Using Small-Batch, Locally Grown Yarn to Enhance your Knitting or Crochet

Did you know that Canada used to produce 90% of all the textiles we consumed? Now we produce less than 5% and most of the raw materials are sourced outside of Canada.

This workshop will look at the social, political and environmental factors that changed our textile industry and what opportunities exist to revitalize the Canadian wool industry from a manufacturing and industry perspective.

The workshop will explore the different sheep breeds available to us in Canada and how to connect with local fibre farmers in your region to access local wool and yarn!

History of Wool Textile Production in Canada 1750 - Present

Did you know that Canada used to produce 90% of all the textiles we consumed? Now we produce less than 5% and most of the raw materials are sourced outside of Canada.

This lecture will look at the social, political and environmental factors that changed our textile industry and what opportunities exist to revitalize the Canadian wool industry from a manufacturing and industry perspective.

Sheep, Shepherd & Land - A book about Canadian Sheep & Wool

Across Canada, small-scale sheep farmers are on a mission to reinvigorate the domestic wool industry, raising sheep breeds that thrive in their regional climate and land base. Learn about farmers' motivations, their dedication to climate-forward practices, and their passion for developing the infrastructure to ensure their wool is processed, milled, and used by businesses and hobbyists locally. Journey alongside sheep farmer and wool educator Anna Hunter to explore the unique characteristics of the sheep breeds being raised from British Columbia to the Maritimes, and how the qualities of the wool from each is best suited to make items from garments to cold-weather accessories to home goods.  

This is a presentation based on the making of Anna’s first book Sheep, Shepherd & Land

Breed Specific Knitting Workshop

Each breed of sheep produces a distinct type of wool for knitting and crochet.  Understanding the qualities and characteristics of these breeds will inform and accentuate your knitting. Texture, colourwork, cables and drape are all affected by the unique wool breeds.

This workshop will give a brief overview of some accessible single-breed wools and the variety they can offer to your knitting.  We will also briefly explore the history and tradition of these single-breed wools. 

This workshop can be done virtually or in person.

If offered in person this workshop is hands on, participants will be able to touch, and experiment with more than a dozen breeds in their different forms (raw, carded, spun).

Sheep School: Intro to starting your own Fibre Flock

Have you always wanted to raise sheep? Are you ready to grow your own wool? Or expand your existing farming plans? Join Anna Hunter of Long Way Homestead for Sheep School.

This workshop can be presented virtually or in-person. The workshop will walk you through getting started with your own flock, and touch on the important topics of finances, infrastructure, feeding and breeding and product marketing.