some rather big news to kick off 2021…

Okay, I know we’re already more than one month into 2021. I don’t tend to make resolutions, but I do have an intention for this year which is to give everything I do the time and attention it requires. I hope that a focused effort this year will eventually become a habit. No longer rushing through work, errands, emails and knitting projects in an endless race to scratch one thing off the list and move onto the next. And so, the timing of this slow and steady newsletter is just right. I’ve gathered some thoughts together to share with you about my (big!) plans for VIOLA in the coming year. These ideas have been percolating for quite some time and at last, the moment to act has arrived. On that note, here comes the news…

Throughout 2021, we will be phasing out our use of chemical (acid) dyes and heavily processed, imported yarns in order to make space for PLANT DYING practices and LOCAL, traceable yarns spun by small mills.

I wasn’t kidding, that’s big, right?!

I have lots more to say about this change but decided to spare your inbox and post my thoughts on our blog…

Speaking of local yarns, my friends and neighbours at Black Sheep Farm care for a growing flock of sheep and have a limited number of fingering weight skeins available right now in two natural shades: off white and dark brown/black!

This yarn is a blend of 80% Wool (their flock is a mixture of Romney/Merino, Gotland and Shetland Sheep) and 20% Mohair (grown by the kind folks who operate Wellington Fibres in Elora Ontario, they spun this yarn too!)

I love this yarn, not only because it is beautiful and I know exactly where it comes from, but also because I know that the work of small farms like Black Sheep plays such an important role in protecting the local landscape, economy and community. Here in Canada, mills like Wellington Fibres work hard to keep up with big demands, making locally produced yarns rare and precious on yet another level.

Last year I knit a pair of Persephone Mittens using Black Sheep yarn. They were perfect. So perfect that I gave them away (I always give my good knits away) but I’m happy for the opportunity to knit another pair this year!

We still have a big collection of acid dyes, yarn labels and other bits to work through before this change can be complete. Which means that we’ll be offering the familiar VIOLA yarns for much of this year, allowing for plenty of time to pick up a skein or two before they’re gone. Starting with the first shop update of 2021, which is all set for…

SUNDAY, MARCH 21st @ 3pm EST!

I’ll be sharing previews and details as the date approaches. We’re still busy dyeing so I can’t say exactly which yarns will be included just yet. You can expect a smattering of Sock yarn, Mohair and more…