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._,