Register for the SE2SE Save Our Sheep Sweater Challenge

Are you ready to kick off the New Year with another Rare Wool Fiber Challenge?

Already know the basics of knitting or crochet? Want to add to (or start) a hand-crafted sweater collection? Let’s make a resolution to create a sweater with wool from an endangered sheep! Accept the SE2SE Save Our Sheep Sweater Challenge with expert spinner, knitter, author and fiber arts educator Deborah Robson!

Join us LIVE on ZOOM for four alternating Wednesdays at 3:30 PM Eastern, in January and February as we create a sweater with rare wool.

• Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – Planning: Materials and Patterns
• Wednesday, January 26, 2022 – Testing: Swatches and Measurements
• Wednesday, February 9, 2022 – Evaluating Progress/Trouble-shooting/How to(s)
• Wednesday, February 23, 2022 – Progress Reports/Addressing Problems/Sweater Showcase

During these live chats Deborah will cover all the sweater making basics, and answer your questions. Can’t make the live chat? No worries. All videos will be recorded and archived in both the Facebook group and YouTube for later viewing.  If you can’t make the live chat, you may submit your questions to Cindra Kerscher (ckerscher@livestockconservancy.org) at least 48 hours prior to each class.

For this challenge you are welcome to work from a pattern of your choosing. Deborah will also supply recommendations for the best Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em breeds for sweater making, as well as resources for knitting patterns.

The only challenge requirement is that your sweater be constructed of 100% rare wool from breeds listed on The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List (Breeds are listed below). You may spin the yarn or purchase from a registered SE2SE Fiber Provider for this Fiber Challenge. If you have left-over yarn or roving from your Passport projects, you may even blend two or more breeds together to make your sweater yarn. For this challenge feel free to experiment with plying or combining any of the breeds on our Conservation Priority List. If you need to buy fiber, roving, or yarn for your sweater, search the online Directory OR see list below for NJ Fibershed Producers/ Artisans who sell products containing wool from sheep breeds on the Livestock Conservancy List.

Register for the Save Our Sheep Sweater Challenge today! 

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Livestock Conservancy Sheep Conservation Priority List with link to NJ Fibershed Members with These Breeds:

North American Breeds

Florida Cracker (Critical)

Gulf Coast or Gulf Coast Native (Critical)

Hog Island (Critical)

Navajo-Churro (Critical)

Santa Cruz (Critical)

Jacob – American (Threatened): Jenny Jump Farm, Willow Pond Farm

Karakul – American (Threatened)

Romeldale/CVM (Threatened)

Barbados Blackbelly (Watch)

St. Croix (Watch)

Tunis (Watch)

Breeds Imported Before 1900

Cotswold (Threatened)

Dorset Horn (Threatened)

Lincoln (Threatened)

Oxford (Watch)

Shropshire (Watch)

Southdown (Recovering)

Breeds Imported After 1900

Teeswater (Critical): Hidden Pastures Luxury fiber Farm

Black Welsh Mountain (Threatened)

Clun Forest (Threatened)

Leicester Longwool (Threatened)

Wiltshire Horn (Watch)

Shetland (Recovering): Ewe Can Do It Shetland Sheep Farm, Hardscrabble Farm, Middle Brook Farm