Karen Enns
While I have always been a maker, sewer, knitter, I have always had a fascination for articles and art made from scratch. I always planned upon my retirement I would learn to spin and weave along with my machine and hand knitting. I am 3 years retired now and have acquired an Ashford spinning wheel and recently a Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom. The pandemic restrictions have definitely slowed down my progress with being able to connect with people and groups that would assist my opportunities to learn more and do more, but so has my busy personal life and family time. I have spent more time at home than I anticipated in retirement but have had constant projects in knitting and crochet on the go. My husband and I own a farm south of Grunthal, growing hay and saskatoons. My dream is to have fibre animals of my own to enjoy and market their wonderful fibres and be a part of this exciting growing industry.
Cropped Eyelet Pullover
This is a very warm but light weight sweater made with 90% alpaca 10% merino yarn from Turtle Mountain Alpacas, Killarney, Manitoba. It is a knitted pattern, very soft and comfortable with very versatile style for casual to more formal attire.
Crochet Stripe Sweater
This sweater has the best story.
The yarn it is knitted with is from raw sheep and alpaca fibre from two local farms. The dark grey fibre is alpaca from Dan-Di Alpacas, St. Malo, Manitoba. The white sheep’s fibre is from a local sheep farm called Anderson Sheep Farm south of Steinbach.
I skirted as much of the debris as I could from the fibre and brought it to Longway Homestead for washing, carding and spinning. The yarn spun is the yarn that I used to crochet this sweater.
I also have a red stripe added to the pattern, which is a 3 strand lopi 70% alpaca 30% merino from Turtle Mountain Alpacas, Killarney, Manitoba.
This is a very warm and comfortable sweater, easily worn in cool weather without needing a jacket.
Felted Collar
This felted collar is the result of a workshop I attended in Grunthal, Manitoba where I live. Shaila Wise of Beary Wise Creations lead a workshop creating wool cowls with locks. In this class a beautiful wearable collar was made that will be next-to-the-skin soft with curly locks. We learned the basics of wet felting but also the more advanced technique of felting locks that are loose and flowing.
The fibre used in my collar is a Wendsleydale cross from Spirit Sands Shepherds (Gerry Oliver) just outside of Carberry.
Wool cowls with locks is a great way to incorporate the look and feel of "fur" with the knowledge that sheep were unharmed in the process. You can create a beautiful wearable shawl collar that will be next-to-the-skin soft with curly locks.
