note: this purchase is for a pdf pattern. you will receive a download link upon purchase.

the forage collection digs deeper into canada’s fibresheds by highlighting multiple players within each region through a combination of interviews and accompanying patterns. the inaugural collection focuses on upper canada fibreshed. my interview with kerri can be watched here.

besides its infamy in the harry potter series, elder trees have enjoyed a long and varied history across the world. particularly prolific in the northern hemisphere, elder trees bear berries and flowers that are routinely used in drinks (st-germain, anyone?) and home remedies for colds and flus. save yourself some pain and make sure any elder foraging you do ends up cooked well though - raw and fresh parts of the plant can make you sick.

similarly to this popular hedge plant, sumacs are berry-bearing trees and are also used around the world in culinary dishes. if your sumac berries get a bit old, throw them in your dye pot instead! or get toronto based dyer kerri of westlake knits to do it for you. one skein of her thicket yarn will give you a gorgeous cabled hat and a big pompom to top it off!

needles: US 7 (4.5mm) dpns, or size needed to obtain gauge

yarn: 240 yards (219 metres), 115g of worsted weight yarn (includes enough yarn for pompom) 
sample shown in westlake knits’ thicket (100% canadian wool, 240 yards 219 metres, 115g) x 1 skein in foraged sumac

notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker

gauge: 20 stitches x 28 rows = 4” (10cm), over reverse stockinette, worked in the round, blocked

TRY THIS YARN: canadian worsted