here's a sneak peek into the wonderful world of wool
Welcome to the second in a series of blogs where I am introducing you to my friends – local PEI farmers who work tirelessly caring for their animals, their crops and their land. It is only because of their hard work that I am able to share with you such unique and truly local items!
Meet Kim Doherty-Smith and Jennifer Taran - two sisters who, along with their husbands Ken and Steven, left their big-city corporate jobs on the mainland, bought an old farmhouse and acreage in rural PEI and founded Fleece and Harmony and Harmony Meadow Farm.
Meet Kim Doherty-Smith and Jennifer Taran - two sisters who, along with their husbands Ken and Steven, left their big-city corporate jobs on the mainland, bought an old farmhouse and acreage in rural PEI and founded Fleece and Harmony and Harmony Meadow Farm.
Jennifer and Kim talk about a “slower pace of life” here in PEI but, from all that they have achieved in a little more than two years, I would have to say that they’ve been just a little busy! Their mill equipment was installed in January, 2017 and, three months later, I placed my first wool order with them.
I was so impressed with their business philosophy. They pasture-raise their animals and, when these woolly loves enter their “senior” years, they live out their remaining days with the flock, enjoying sunshine and fresh air.
Their wool is untreated and hand-dyed using organic-certified dyes. I carry their “Signature” line of wool – a blend of 60% lambs’ wool and 40% sheep's wool. It is a 3-ply Aran weight wool that has a gauge of approximately 18 stitches and 26 rows to a 10 cm (4”) square when knit in a stockinette stitch on 4.5 mm (US 7) needles. The colours are so vibrant, rich and the wool so lovely to knit with! Every time I get a fresh batch in, I’m inspired to create new patterns to showcase its beauty.
My newest pattern is the “Picot-Edged Fingerless Mittens and Toque” shown in shades of spruce, seafoam and natural. If you’re a novice knitter who wants to learn some new techniques, try our “Brioche Scarf and Mittens with Brioche Cuff” and “Lavender & Lace Fingerless Mittens”. All three patterns were knit with Fleece & Harmony’s Signature yarn and are available to purchase in a downloadable format through our website or Ravelry or in print version at the studio.
My newest pattern is the “Picot-Edged Fingerless Mittens and Toque” shown in shades of spruce, seafoam and natural. If you’re a novice knitter who wants to learn some new techniques, try our “Brioche Scarf and Mittens with Brioche Cuff” and “Lavender & Lace Fingerless Mittens”. All three patterns were knit with Fleece & Harmony’s Signature yarn and are available to purchase in a downloadable format through our website or Ravelry or in print version at the studio.
They are just wrapping up lambing season on the farm, having delivered 117 lambs!!! There is only 1 more ewe who is expecting. Jennifer and Kim are understandably punchy from lack of sleep. No – I’m not telling tales – they readily admit it in their podcast! Be sure to check it out. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC4tDjgTkjcsgfL6HSlTRV
Happy knitting!
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