These Islands

This book explores sources for wool in Ireland which embrace the slow revolution with ethically-treated sheep, fair-trade wool, and local milling. A step away from the mass-produced acrylics and imported wool blends from other continents to focus once again on knitting with local wool. There are a variety of breeds of sheep being raised in Ireland and Great Britain, each breed with its own special characteristics. Each of these varieties of wool brings a new level of uniqueness to a knitter’s work. It is time to allow conscientious small-batch artisan producers to guide us to the very best of what these islands have to offer. If we’re so focused on having our eggs be fair-trade and local, why not our knitting wool? These Islands includes eight never before published patterns for hats, a cowl, shawls, fingerless gloves, and boot cuffs using locally-processed wool made from the fleece of Irish, Scottish, or British sheep with names. The patterns are designed by Sara Breitenfeldt, Suzanne McEndoo, and Evin Bail O’Keeffe. The book features 77 full-colour photographs shot on location at Zwartbles Ireland in Kilkenny and in County Cork, Ireland.