STUDENTS from Estonia will exhibit their own designs at this year’s Woolfest in Cockermouth.
A group of girls from the Leisi School, on the Estonian island of Saaremaa, sheared the sheep, made the yarn and knitted their own designs in preparation for the west Cumbrian event.
Youngsters from Cumbria will join the Estonian visitors on the catwalk for the fashion show.
June Hall, of the Wool Clip co-operative which organises Woolfest, said: “I have been working with historians and crafts people in Estonia and Lithuania since 2001.
“They have rediscovered their indigenous breed of short-tailed sheep and are reinventing their traditional craft skills using wool from these sheep in an attempt to preserve them.”
The Wool Clip is a Cumbria-based co-operative of sheep farmers, spinners and wool workers, which was set up to add value to local wool.
In its fourth year, Woolfest will be held on June 27 and 28 at Mitchell’s Lakeland Livestock Centre.
Ausra Kaveckiene, a designer from northern Lithuania, will display her latest wool collection and other exhibitors will travel from Norway, Finland and France.
There will also be wool experts from around the world. A new feature at this year’s Woolfest will be an auction of knitted sheep, with all proceeds going to Farm Africa – an international aid project to create sustainable farms.
For further details call 00 44 16974 78707 or see www.woolfest.co.uk
Comments