Workshops and Kits
Weaving kits using locally sourced and mill spun fibre are available for purchase. Workshops and presentations on a variety of topics related to Ontario textiles can be arranged. Please contact us for more information.
Norwood Shawl
The Norwood shawl is designed and produced entirely in Ontario for Farm Raised Fashion. The fibre is an exquisite blend of Norbouillet Wool and Mohair from Pine Hollow Farm. The yarn was spun at Wellington Fibres in Elora and the pattern was created and produced by Upper Canada Weaving, Toronto. The pattern for this luxurious shawl is based on a 19th century blanket pattern from Prince Edward County, Ontario.
This kit contains a blend of the finest quality Ontario-raised, undyed Norbouillet Wool (85%) and Mohair
(15%) in 2 ply from Pine Hollow Farm.
One wound warp for a 15 x 72”/ 38 x 182 cm shawl (finished measurements)
720 yards of 2 ply Cream, Jacobean Brown and Tudor Grey yarn for weft
Instructions for beaming on the warp
Instructions for weaving
Instructions for finishing (wet finishing and fringing)
Equipment and knowledge needed to complete this project:
A four-harness loom, shuttles, bobbins
Basic weaving knowledge to set up a loom and weave in 2/2 twill
This kit was produced between Norwood, Elora and Toronto, Ontario in its making
Price: $329 + shipping
For more information about the kit, contact us or to order
The kit can also be ordered from the Eweknit.
New - The Norwood Shawl kit is available in herringbone as seen above right. Please contact us to order the herringbone variation.
Farm Raised Fashion was produced by Becky Porlier for the Upper Canada Fibreshed. All photographs, unless otherwise noted, were taken by Emily Neill. This project was supported by a 2019 Fibreshed Micro-Grant. Thank you to Nadine McLeod, Michelle Fish and all the participants and supporters.
Weave an undyed tri-coloured Ontario Wool Shawl at Eweknit & Craft
More dates for this workshop will be announced soon.
Experience level: beginner
Duration: 7 hours, (10 am to 6pm with a one hour lunch break)
Instructor: Deborah Livingston-Lowe
In this interactive 7 hour class, participants will learn the fundamentals of weaving.
Each student will learn how to weave a herringbone shawl on a four harness floor loom.
Students will produce a shawl using three undyed colours in a luxuriously soft and silky blend of Norbouillet wool and mohair yarn sourced to Pine Hollow Farm.
Each student will choose from three different patterns that are set up on the looms to create a one-of-a-kind shawl.
The shawl will be finished using a twisted fringe.
Students will be provided with wash and care instructions.
Included in the class fee:Norbouillet 2 ply yarn (85% Wool, 15% Mohair), to make a shawl approximately 14” x 80"
each student will use a floor loom which has been set up ready to weave
each loom has a unique undyed colour scheme and pattern (the warp)
a choice of wool yarn in three undyed colours for weaving (the weft)
use of boat shuttles
hand-outs and instructional links
Note: Students should wear comfortable clothes for ease of movement. If possible, please bring a pair of lightweight sole indoor shoes or slippers. Bring a t-shirt to wear during the class in the event that you are too warm.
For more information or to register, contact Eweknit & Craft.
Eweknit is located at 832 Bloor Street West, between Ossington Avenue and Christie Street.
Wooligan Shawl
The Wooligan Shawl kit is designed and produced entirely in Ontario using wool from Dorset sheep, a heritage Ontario breed. The singles yarn used in the kit is spun from soft and cozy Revolution Wool Company from Circle R Farm in Mapleton, Ontario. The pattern was created and produced by Upper Canada Weaving, Toronto. The finished dimensions of the shawl are 36 x 65”.
The shawl can be purchased as a finished shawl or as a kit using Revolution Yarn Company yarn. For more information, contact Revolution Yarn Company.
Weaving Workshops
Learn to set up a floor loom
Date: to be announced
Experience level: beginner
Duration: 6 hours (10am-5pm, with a one hour lunch break)
Instructor: Deborah Livingston-Lowe
In this interactive class, participants will learn how to dress a loom. Dressing the loom is the multi-step process of setting up the loom before weaving takes place. The first step in dressing the loom is beaming-on. Beaming-on involves winding the warp onto the back beam of the loom. The second step is threading the loom to create the woven pattern. Each thread is brought through a heddle which is fixed to the harnesses. The harnesses control the lifting of the threads during the weaving process. The third step is sleying the reed. The threads are drawn through the reed. This establishes the threads per inch count. The last step is tying the warp onto the front rod which is attached to the cloth beam. When all of these steps are completed, the loom is ready for weaving. Students will weave a few inches to check for threading and sleying accuracy.
Included in the class fee:
-each student will set up a four harness floor loom
-use of heddle/reed hooks
-an illustrated hand-out summarizing the process of dressing the loom and instructional links
For more information or to register, contact Eweknit & Craft.
Other workshop themes
We provide a variety of workshops that can be customized to suit a variety of interests and levels of knowledge including:
Weave a Tartan Shawl
Weave an Ombré Shawl
Weave an Ontario Wool Shawl
Dressing a Loom
Please contact us to learn more about presentations and workshops.
