Bluetongue virus, we are concerned
After years of absence, the bluetongue virus is spreading rapidly through the Netherlands. Unfortunately, the virus has also been diagnosed in some sheep from the Knitwit Stable.
The bluetongue virus is spread by midges and they mainly occur in April and at the end of autumn, but the less cold winters now appear to be favorable for the midges. It is sad to see the sheep that have been with us for so long now so sick. Unfortunately, we have already had to say goodbye to our two stud rams and two ewes.
Cees cares for our sheep daily and now monitors our sheep even more than he normally does. The sick sheep are treated intensively and we hope that they will strengthen and recover well.
Wool sorting day, Saturday
This Saturday, October 7, we are organizing another wool sorting day from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for volunteers. On this day we will sort the wool so that we can send it to the laundry in Italy. We remove straw and manure from the wool and check the fiber length and quality.
This allows the best wool to be washed and spun in Italy, so that we can soon knit beautiful sweaters again in our mini factory.
Would you like to come and help us?
Register now by sending an email to info@theknitwitstable.nl .
We provide tea and coffee!
Oct 21 Open day on the Fibershed route
On October 21, 2023, many participants of the Fibershed Network in the Netherlands will open their doors to the public! Discover the route a garment takes, from Floor to Wardrobe; from the farmer of raw materials and fiber processors, via designers, makers, sellers to carriers to processors of our textile waste.
We participate too!
The ±2 hour program consists of:
Explanation about the sheep & goats, origin, care and animal welfare.
Explanation about wool and coats, thickness, types and how to use them.
Watch the inspiring documentary: 'From Goat to Garment.”
Gain insight into how a sweater is industrially knitted and linked in our workshop.
Afterwards there will be an opportunity to walk around, drink a cup of coffee and get acquainted with the beautiful collection of The Knitwit Stable.
SAMPLE SALE: Exclusively during the open day you can also buy test samples of clothing from The Knitwit Label at lower prices (sold out)
Date: October 21, 2023
Start time: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Oct 25 Dutch Design week, Book launch Good Conversation Material
The book launch of the book Goede Gespreksstof takes place during the Dutch Design week. A versatile and creative book for young people, with inspiring stories and valuable insights from leaders and experts from the Dutch textile value chain. The book was created by Fibershed with contributions from, among others, The Knitwit Stable.
The result is a richly illustrated book in which young people are introduced to pioneers in the field of sustainable fashion. One of those pioneers is The Knitwit Stable.
Collaboration Joline Jolink, October 26 launch of collaboration with Joline Jolink
Joline Jolink: "My clothes make someone care about what's happening around us."
The special collaboration between Joline Jolink and The Knitwit Stable will be celebrated in the Joline Jolink store in Rotterdam on October 26. Reina Ovinge talks about the special properties of the wool of Dutch sheep.
Together, Reina and Joline will explain what their shared values are. And of course they show the end result of their collaboration.
Join us on Thursday, October 26 at 4:30 PM
Nieuwe Binnenweg in Rotterdam
Masterclasses, farm and knitting studio 
Our farm and knitting studio is the only initiative in the Netherlands that maps the entire production chain of a sweater: from keeping the animals, processing Dutch wool into yarns to the production of a locally and fairly made woolen end product. To provide insight into this process, we organize master classes. You will meet our animals, learn about the different coats and take a look at our knitting studio! In this full-day masterclass you will not only receive information about the world behind a sweater, the path from the animal to the garment, but you will also go home with your self-knitted hat made of Dutch wool! Lunch and coffee is included for this day.
Dates for the master classes:
October 6 - there is 1 spot left
November 3 - ENGLISH
The costs of the masterclass are €225. Would you like to participate or do you have a question?
Send an email to info@theknitwitstable.nl
KLM Magazine, Q&A with Reina Ovinge
The October edition of KLM's inflight magazine Holland Herald features an extensive Q&A with Reina Ovinge from The Knitwit Stable.
Reina answers the questions, among others:
When and why did you start The Knitwit Stable and what is your advice for conscious shoppers? You can read all the answers in the article.
Holland Herald is a magazine that travels monthly in the seat pockets of the plane with more than 2 million passengers from all over the world. The Knitwit Stable is traveling this month.
