It takes a long time—and a great group of folks—to create a magazine. A full year ago, I started with the rich theme of “renewal.” There is so much good that can come out of the connections between knitters, farmers, mills, and the landscapes that connect us all!
I began reaching out to people around the globe who are passionate about natural fibers, sustainability, and the maker’s life. That stunning cowl in the image at the top of the page is a perfect example. Designer Tressa Weidenaar's Rancher’s Cowl is an ode to the hardworking people in her community on and near the Navajo Nation. The cowl is knitted in Peace Fleece, a long-beloved yarn that is now back in production! One of the ingredients of Peace Fleece is fiber grown on the Navajo Nation, helping to create markets for shepherds and herders.
The Rancher's Cowl by Diné designer Tressa Weidenaar is knitted in Peace Fleece Worsted. In her pattern, Tressa explains the significance of the motifs and color choices.
And then we can cross the Atlantic to find Sissal Kristiansen, a passionate and eloquent supporter of the sheep in Føroyar (Faroe Islands). I learn so much each time I chat with Sissal, and her energy is contagious. She not only wrote an article for this issue about the long history of sheep and knitting in the Faroe Islands, but she also designed a fantastic vest pattern worked in natural sheep shades (see the vest in the gallery below). This issue is packed with great articles, yarn features from around the world, and tutorials.
Learn about wool and knitting in the Faroe Islands from Sissal Kristiansen, the designer and owner of the Faroese knitwear company Shisa Brand and the founder of The Wool Islands, an initiative that is working to bring greater awareness to Faroese sheep, wool, culture, and makers. Photo by Klara Jacobsen
The Projects
This issue includes 10 knitting patterns that I hope will jump to the top of your queue. Sweaters, cardis, wraps, socks, and more, all from talented designers and knitted with thoughtfully chosen natural fibers. All of these projects are in the issue and in our library.
Get up close with projects in this issue by clicking on any image in the gallery below.
The Cover
What do you spot first on the cover? The fab colorwork pullover, the cute sheep, or the happy human making a sheep friend?
The Amplitude Pullover by Julia Farwell-Clay graces the cover.
The Amplitude Pullover by Julia Farwell-Clay is a knitter-friendly top-down yoke available in finished sizes 35" to 63". For this project, Julia and I picked worsted-weight Wooldreamers La Rinconada, which is spun from organic Merino fleeces grown in Spain.
The happy human here—Rose García, whom you might have seen in other Farm & Fiber Knits patterns—is as kind as she is beautiful. She keeps us laughing during photo shoots, and she is always game for feeding sheep, holding ducks, or getting her hands dirty. (And in the rest of her life, she is an engineer!)
Last but not least, Quin the sheep is Flock Ambassador at Middle Brook Fiberworks in New Jersey. Shepherd Anne Choi is all about building community and welcoming everyone into fiber and farming spaces—with Quin’s help, of course. Anne hosted our photo shoot on her beautiful New England farm, which you can read more about in the issue.
The setting for many of the photos shown in the issue? Learn about Anne Choi and Middle Brook Fiberworks in New Jersey, who kindly hosted our photo shoot.
Through Farm & Fiber Knits, I want to help you connect more deeply with your knitting, your creativity, and good things happening in the wider world.
Enjoy the journey!
—Kate Larson, editor
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