March Newsletter
Spring has begun again, which means life is bustling at the Knitwit Stable. In recent weeks, 12 lambs and 2 goats have been born. Among them is our black floppy-eared lamb, Broer. Secretly a bit of our favorite! We see him increasingly seeking out the flock and connecting with the other lambs. The photo shows a glimpse of the special bond Jaap and Broer share. You often find them running along the fence together and sniffing each other.
Volkskrant
We are proud to share that on March 13th, we were featured in a beautiful article in the Volkskrant Magazine! The piece provides a great overview of our mission to restore the value of wool in the Netherlands, our sustainable production processes, and the impact we are making in local wool production.
Writer and illustrator Vanessa Oostijen beautifully illustrates how we, with our farm and knitting studio, make the entire wool production chain accessible to the public.
Curious about the full story? Click on the link below
BinnensteBuiten
On March 11th, the Binnenstebuiten team visited us to film an episode about our farm, the sheep and goats, and of course, the beautiful wool we produce here.
It was a fantastic experience to show the crew around and demonstrate what we do – from caring for our sheep and goats to processing the wool into yarns and the final products in the shop. We can't wait to share the result with you!
Save the date, as the episode will be broadcast on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 7:10 PM.
Keep an eye on Binnenstebuiten here
Open Day
The open day on Saturday, March 22nd, was again a great success! We welcomed over 100 visitors and informed them about ourselves, the materials, the goats and sheep, and the activities at the Knitwit Stable. It was a sunny day, so everyone could enjoy watching the lambs outside and strolling around our farm.
In connection with the week of the circular economy, we organized a morning program together with Fibershed for education and fashion professionals from various organizations and companies. There appears to be great potential for knowledge transfer in education. A day full of inspiration, conviviality, and connection. Unfortunately, many people were still on the waiting list for our open day, but after this success, we plan to organize another one in the future. Keep an eye on our socials/Instagram page for updates!
Towards Regenerative
Our participation in the Lenteland Annual Program means more than just acquiring knowledge and experience. Where sustainability often focuses on reducing negative impact, regeneration is about creating a positive impact. Regenerative agriculture works towards ecological, social, and economic gains. Regenerative farmers ensure a biodiverse living soil and sequester CO2 in the soil. These are two important components in creating an even more positive impact on the environment.
We are becoming part of a network of alumni, farmer-entrepreneurs, and experts who share the same mission. Through our participation, we are creating a network where we can find advice, support, and collaborators to make our textile farm as regenerative as possible!
Click for more info about Lenteland
Healthy Soil
We are participating in a unique soil course from Wij.land – developed in collaboration with soil experts from De Boerenacademie and Groeibalans – and are being introduced to the world of soil biology. Wij.land helps farmers gain more insight into the biology of the soil and the entire system beneath our feet. By, among other things, restoring the mineral and trace element balance and nourishing soil life, we optimize the soil's natural processes.
Therefore, we are developing plans to improve the soil and will, of course, keep you informed!
Good for the health of our sheep and goats, and the soil, of course!
Our story therefore essentially begins not with the sheep but with the soil!
Click for more info about Wij.land
Polyester more sustainable than wool? How so?
Polyester scores better than wool. How so?
A local wool sweater from Baambrugge will soon have a worse PEF (Product Environment Footprint) label than a polyester T-shirt from Bangladesh!
Journalist Anna Roos van Wijngaarden delved into the planned new EU standard. A very readable piece. Let it speak for itself and read via the button below!
For more background information and a white paper, also see the LinkedIn page: Make The Label Count
LinkedIn page Make The Label Count
Masterly - The Dutch in Milano
April 8th is the day. We will be at Masterly in the Palazzo dei Giureconsulti, right next to the Duomo in the heart of Milan. We are participating in the ROOTS exhibition by Simone van Es. Here, Dutch artists, designers, and companies will show how they collectively shape the future of art and design. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's fresco, this exhibition highlights the urgent need to take ecological responsibility. We will showcase our carpet project with Zeefier and our AaBe x Knitwit blanket. Without a doubt, it will be an inspiring week.
Masterclass & workshops
Have you visited a workshop or masterclass before? Or would you like to come? Mark the following dates in your calendar:
Masterclass for individuals
From goat to Garment - From Sheep to Sweater.
The next Masterclass is:
- April 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- June 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Workshops
Come to one of our workshops and make your own scarf/wrap from mohair from young Dutch goats. No experience needed.
The next date for our workshop is:
- April 11, 2025, from 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
- May 9, 2025, from 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
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