 P.O. Box 1752 Rockland, Maine 04841 (207) 594-9455 |      |
|---|
| HOME | BACK ISSUES | RETAIL STORES | BREEDERS DIRECTORY | WHOLESALE INQUIRIES | MORE INFO | CONTACT US |
|---|
Our mission is to educate and promote all aspects of the natural fiber industry with special emphasis on sustainable practices and responsible use of natural resources throughout the world. We believe fibers represent an important chapter not only to artisans and cultural development, but an increasing sensitivity to environmental impact as well.
Go natural with these “Socks that Rock” designed by Cat Bordhi, made from Cotswold wool raised by the nuns at Our Lady of the Rock in the San Juan Islands.
Knitting Patterns Summer 2009 Issue
More Wild Adventures Await You Inside Our Summer Issue
Although no two issues of Wild Fibers are ever alike, we take special pride in our ongoing series celebrating the United Nations International Year of Natural Fibres. Along with our standard array of unusual stories including a feature on the shepherds in Dracula’s “backyard,” to fiber farming in the foothills of the Shenandoah Valley; we are featuring a special trip to Tanzania to learn how sisal not only plays a major role in the fiber world, but is making things “greener” and brighter throughout the country. We also conclude Torie Olson’s colorful weaving saga in the steamy Haouz Plains of Morocco and enjoy a historical “tail” about Herdwick sheep.Busting Out Of Brooklyn
Contrary to his parents deepest desires, Francis Chester was determined to shed his Brooklyn upbringing and reconnect with his Italian shepherding roots which go back at least five generations. Confronted with a myriad of obstacles and opportunities, including a lost horse that ultimately “led” him to his wife, Francis Chester operates one of the oldest cottage mills processing 25,000 pounds of wool a year from his combined herd of Columbian and Merino sheep. Although a lawyer by training, Francis has never regretted his “break-out” from the city life more than fifty years ago.Habiba’s Field of Dreams
Surrounded by Tanzania’s Usambaru Mountains and wandering Masaai shepherds, Habiba Bota’s life was transformed when she joined the Katani family of sisal growers and saw her income grow from one or two dollars a day to approximately $400/month. Sisal, one of the most important plant fibers featured in the International Year of Natural Fibres, not only makes durable carpets and rope, but it’s a renewable source of energy using biogas and bringing electricity to some of the most rural parts of the country. Transylvania!
As the lore of Dracula continues to quench those with a bloodthirsty desire, the mountains of Romania are still alive with shepherds and their sheep who continue to battle tremendous issues of predation, a dramatic decline in wool demand, and now the new regulations imposed by the EU of which they have recently joined. For many, it’s not the fear of vampires, but fear of whether the shepherds can survive the bite of modern times.It’s Time To Keep the Fleece
Join our global celebration of the United Nations Internaional Year of Natural Fibres and help us create the Longest Scarf in the World in partnership with Heifer International. Visit www.keepthefleece.org to learn how you can be part of the world’s largest herd.