My great-grandparents are from the Shetland Islands, my grandmother was a North Saanich farm pioneer, and I have relatives who still raise sheep on the Shetland Islands. Farming is in my genes: ever since I was very young, I’ve had an eye for land and livestock; I wanted to know how land was managed, what was growing on it, and how the landscaped changed over time. I raise registered sheep and have been a shearing contractor for 43 years.

I love knitting in the round, similar to Icelandic and Shetland knitting styles. Why do I knit? I love the interesting colours: heathered, speckled, blended – the traditionally tweedy colours from Scotland. I’m happiest knitting, so why quit? Especially if I’m the only person making certain items, including those that are practical and useful for our climate.

For any inquiries, please contact Lorea Tomsin at countrywools@hotmail.com or visit her at the Dickens Fair on December 3, 2011.

To see the other vendor profiles go to Dickens Fair holiday gift guide

Website:
www.countrywools.com