Starkroft

03/03/2026

Anyone else having trouble with orders? Have a receipt from Feb 24 that I haven't received yet, no tracking info and can't get any answers by phone.

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01/05/2026

Definitely going to be following this journey!

Meet the Rideau Arcott Sheep! 🐑 🥰

Before skilled hands can shear, spin, or knit, there are the sheep themselves – the living foundation of every wool sweater. For the Cape Breton Wool Sweater Project, we chose fleece from Rideau Arcott sheep, a remarkable Canadian breed with a fascinating story.

The Rideau Arcott is one of only a few livestock breeds developed entirely in Canada. In the 1960s and 70s at Agriculture Canada's Animal Research Centre in Ottawa (hence "Arcott"), these sheep were scientifically bred to be prolific mothers with exceptional fertility. The result? A unique genetic blend of 40% Finnish Landrace, 20% Suffolk, 14% East Friesian, and six other heritage breeds, all combined through reproductive research.

If you've ever wondered what makes wool so warm, bouncy, and perfect for sweaters, the answer lies in a tiny detail: crimp – the natural waves and zigzags in each individual wool fiber. Think of it as nature's built-in spring system.

Rideau Arcott fleece has beautiful crimp that creates something spinners call "loft". Here's why crimp matters: those little waves don't mesh together perfectly when spinning, and that's exactly what we want!

When Sarah Nettleton sheared her Rideau Arcott sheep for this project, she was harvesting fleece with these natural qualities already built in – quality wool with the crimp and structure that would eventually become warm, lofty yarn, and finally, beautiful sweaters.

The sheep themselves are where all the labour begins. They must be raised, fed, cared for, and shorn annually for their health and comfort – regardless of whether their wool is used or wasted. In this project, we're ensuring that Sarah's sheep, and their remarkable fleece, are valued at every step from pasture to finished sweater.

The Cape Breton Wool Sweater Project makes visible the skill and labour behind every step of wool production, from sheep farming to the finished garment. Stay tuned as we follow the fleece through its complete journey! 🤍

12/21/2025

Fun fuzzy fact - that wool is a natural fibre, sustainably renewed every year.

🐑 Did you know ....

A single sheep produces enough wool each year to make the equivalent of six wonderfully warm sweaters or enough fabric to upholster one large sofa? That's the power of renewable, natural production!

With wool, performance, beauty and sustainability are not mutually exclusive:

💚 Wool's intelligent fibres adapt to keep you comfortable wherever you spend your holidays, regulating temperature, resisting odours, and needing less washing.

🧶 Wool's inherent textures create luxurious and lasting products you want to use and wear over and over.

🌍 From pastoral landscapes to skilled artisans, wool products connect you to a worldwide community, sustaining livelihoods and traditional crafts across continents.

Let the beauty and wonder of wool help you celebrate this season!
Happy Holidays from the IWTO ✨

05/19/2025

Just came across this documentary which I suspect was made a couple of years ago, and felt it was worth sharing to celebrate all things woolen and handmade. Many of the locations mentioned are on the bucket list for my next trip to the maritimes. I was recently gifted a copy of Unraveling purchased at Gaspereau Valley Fibres and highly recommend it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCaF7wZ4a4M

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03/24/2025

A great video about the importance of sheep, wool and shearing, just as I am about to start shearing my ewe lambs. I trust Temple Grandin would approve!

03/10/2025

Nice to have visitors who not only enjoy the lambs but pitch in and help - three pens cleaned just in time to fill them with new sets of triplets!

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02/20/2025

So this happened yesterday, right on schedule but the -25 degree morning was not in the plan! Poor little things had a rough start but are all doing fine without the heat lamp (which is giving the red back light). Now if all the others would organize themselves to lamb in this warm spell and fill the barn it would be perfect. The two black lambs are females, the first here in three years - bonus!