Do you know where your yarn comes from?
Or your soap, your cheese, yogurt, or even your wine?
Welcome to the first 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 James and Toby Hill, the owners of Blomidon Farm – a small Icelandic sheep farm about a 20 minute drive from our Knit Pickers’ studio. You can tell from this photo that Icelandic sheep have the sweetest personalities. A huge part of that is because of the way they are raised – in the most humane and sustainable way with loads of love, and of course plenty of sunshine and grass in the summer.
Meet James and Toby Hill, the owners of Blomidon Farm – a small Icelandic sheep farm about a 20 minute drive from our Knit Pickers’ studio. You can tell from this photo that Icelandic sheep have the sweetest personalities. A huge part of that is because of the way they are raised – in the most humane and sustainable way with loads of love, and of course plenty of sunshine and grass in the summer.
As I’m writing this, it’s lambing season at Blomidon Farm. If I’ve kept things straight, Toby and James have helped the expectant ewes deliver 6 sets of twins and 4 singles within the past week! Mid-afternoon or 2 a.m. – they have to be there when Mother Nature calls. Only 4 more deliveries to go….
 |  In the pic on the left, Koko was looking pretty ready to meet her new babies and she proudly delivered healthy and strong twins – a boy and a girl! |
Icelandic sheep have been treasured for their wool for over 1,100 years! Their fleece is made up of 2 layers – a fine undercoat known as “thel” and a longer outer coat known as “tog”. When spun together, this wool will keep you toasty warm and dry!
Icelandic sheep are shorn twice a year. James and Toby let the wool shine in its original colours – natural black (almost an espresso colour), shades of warm brown, and a light natural grey. When the skeins are made up, they label each skein with the name of the sheep that provided the wool.
Icelandic sheep are shorn twice a year. James and Toby let the wool shine in its original colours – natural black (almost an espresso colour), shades of warm brown, and a light natural grey. When the skeins are made up, they label each skein with the name of the sheep that provided the wool.
Recently, I designed and knit this “Diamonds and Pearls” cowl
with wool “donated” by Peggy and Iris!
with wool “donated” by Peggy and Iris!
Of course the wool and the pattern for this cowl are available at our Knit Pickers’ studio or through our online store. I would rate the pattern at an easy “intermediate” knitter level. It knits up quickly on 6 mm knitting needles and the Icelandic wool is absolutely delicious! I would strongly recommend stitch markers to help you keep track of pattern repeats.
Happy knitting!
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