Category: Sheep Wool Landscape and Connectivity

Late Wovember Italian Wool Inspiration: Beautiful blended undyed shades

February 1, 2023

Today I want to share my final Wovember inspired post on the local Italian wools I bought at La Fierucola in Florence last November. This yarn enables me to spotlight two more Italian sheep breeds, and a Spanish cousin. Despite so many stunning naturally dyed shades on the stall, this time I was attracted to the beautiful natural greys of Verde Filo (Green Thread) Lab, it was a hard choice, but I think you’ll see … More Late Wovember Italian Wool Inspiration: Beautiful blended undyed shades

Wovember inspiration continues with Gentile di Puglia and La Piantalana

December 14, 2022

Yes, I know it’s December, but what I don’t know is ‘Where has this year has gone?’ That aside, this 3rd instalment of my ‘Wovember’ inspired series introducing local to me Italian sheep breeds and yarns is spotlighting the Gentile di Puglia sheep. Gentile di Puglia is one of Italy’s ‘merino type’ sheep breeds and is recognised as a wool sheep. It is often argued to have been developed from the 15th century onwards through … More Wovember inspiration continues with Gentile di Puglia and La Piantalana

Wovember wool: Introducing the Tingola Fiemmese of Trentino

November 30, 2022

Today as part of my Wovember* series on local wool, I want to talk to you about the Tingola Fiemmese. Those who read my previous Wovember post will have had a brief introduction to this breed and may recall that it was at the stall of Lana Tingola Fiemmese di Pecore Stanziali, that I said I realised that I’d found ‘my people’. It was not simply the strikingly beautiful colourful skeins of yarn and animated … More Wovember wool: Introducing the Tingola Fiemmese of Trentino

A Wovember wool spotlight: La Fierucola, Florence, and the sheep of Italy

November 17, 2022

While it is still Wovember, I want to spend a little time sharing some new to me local sheep and to introduce you to the wonderful wool they produce. The history of Italy and of wool are tightly intertwined and extend across a network of European wool trading that pre-dates the formation of the state of Italy in the 19th century. By the 13th century Florence was already an important wool centre and this is … More A Wovember wool spotlight: La Fierucola, Florence, and the sheep of Italy

#fubc Shawl No. 2: A long awaited make over

January 22, 2021

Today I want to re-introduce you to my latest pattern release, a shawl I designed over 3 years ago back in October 2017, and to re-visit the design process behind it. So much has happened since then, sometimes it’s good to look back and see things in a wider perspective, to appreciate our achievements, and celebrate our strength and capacity to overcome. The pattern was certainly designed as a celebration, marking the completion of my … More #fubc Shawl No. 2: A long awaited make over