Sisters Kim Doherty-Smith and Jennifer Taran. ►
Environmental awareness and responsible animal husbandry are paramount at Fleece & Harmony. “Like food, wool is an animal product. It has all kinds of wonderful natural properties,” Jennifer says. Yarns and roving are created entirely onsite and deliberately untreated: “we call it ‘feel good yarn,’” she jokes, noting that Fleece & Harmony also spins raw fleece provided by clients into made- to-order fibre products. Jennifer herself blends Fleece & Harmony’s yarn hues from Greener Shades™ dyes. These, Kim explains, “meet the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards).” Yarn is dyed “in the skein,” she adds. “That’s more labour- intensive, but we like the tonal quality it gives the colours.” Approximately 75 shades are available from Fleece & Harmony’s boutique. Hues like vivid, vermilion “Meadow Paintbrush” echo PEI’s landscapes and cityscapes; muted grey “Slate” is drawn from “the slate roof of PEI’s Province House.” All, from “Dune Grass” to “Raspberry Cordial”, are named in honour of the Island’s charms. Jennifer also devises a selection of exclusive patterns for the mill. Her favourite, she says, is their “Retro Ski Scarf.” “It was actually a stitch pattern I adapted from my dad’s 1958 downhill ski sweater”--which is still in her wardrobe. “It just shows how long a good natural wool garment can last!” Come August, Fleece & Harmony will host workshops with Canadian textile virtuoso Ash Alberg (“@
sunflowerknit”) on subjects ranging from dyeing technique to social media strategy. “It’s cool to have an experienced guest star,” Jennifer enthuses. “The class details are in our website’s ‘summer workshop’ section, or you can phone the boutique for them.” The sisters hope to partner with Ash again on a pattern to accompany Fleece & Harmony’s autumn collection, By the Hearth. “By the Hearth will focus on naturally coloured fleeces. We’ll showcase our flock’s natural colours, and blend in local exotic fibres, including alpaca and angora.” By the Hearth will include a natural angora silver and the wonderfully named “Hot Buttered Rum.” But while autumn’s offerings may be weeks away, knitters can peruse Fleece & Harmony’s boutique of spring/summer shades (plus other offerings from PEI artisans) anytime. PEI Living readers will receive a complimentary Linden Blossom Cowl pattern by mentioning this article at Fleece & Harmony’s boutique, or using coupon code “LINDEN” online.
Fleece & Harmony 3130 Garfield Road, Belfast 902.659.2550 www.fleeceandharmony.com
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SUMMER 2018 www.pei-living.ca
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