Our commitment to sustainable farming and the belief that alpaca fibre is not just luxurious, but one of the most sustainable, eco friendly fibres produced without harming animals has been the foundation of everything we do at Chetwyn Farms. From the beginning we set-out to demonstrate that indeed, sustainable farming and the production of alpaca fleece, yarn and all our hand-made finished goods can be made - mindful of both the place where product is made, and the people that make them!
An essential step in changing mindset is to realize how our consumer habits can impact the environment. It starts with understanding both the process and the end result. Alpaca farming is one of the most sustainable forms of farming. With a smaller agricultural footprint sustaining alpaca herds…And their predisposition to natural grazing on grasses, alpaca thrive in natural environments, produce voluminous fibre that is natural, warm and hypoallergenic with a soft hand-feel! What could be a better combination?
In most of North America, the production of alpaca fleece to yarn to finished goods is done on a local level, and at Chetwyn Farms this means sending our fibre to local mills to be made into socks and other cold-weather accessories. A small group of local knitters produce much of our baby and toddler sweaters and outfits, while designers we partner with employ artisans in fair-trade countries & co-operatives.
With Black Friday looming over us again this year, and with post-pandemic online shopping subsiding from the highs of 2020/2021 we see gaining momentum in the idea of “conscious consumerism”, being mindful about materialism and over-consumption. We get it….Consumers want deals, but increasingly not at the cost of the planet or the people making those goods. As a subscriber to our regular newsletters and as visitors and supporter of our farm – we know you get it, and thank-you for making a difference!
The “Green Friday” movement started in Australia many years ago before debuting in Canada and gaining traction in North America, as consumers move towards sustainable consumerism and shop locally, sustainably and mindfully!
Remember to ask yourself before “adding to cart”
With all alpaca product from socks to mittens, throws and wraps to hats and scarves it IS possible to answer yes to all of these questions, knowing that as a natural fibre, alpaca will last longer than synthetic materials, and be warmer, softer and a natural alternative to other materials.
The classic luxury of alpaca is matched only by its sustainability! Shop mindfully now and always!
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We couldn’t bring you our fantastic line-up of fall workshops without our Creative Director Bear Epp - “Commoncraft”
With a background in Craft & Design from Sheridan College, Niagara College, the Banff Centre for the Arts and Harbourfront Centre Craft Studios, Bear Epp has worked in the creative industry for over three decades as an artist, arts & events programmer, teacher and creative director. As an artist, she has exhibited in Canada and internationally and has commissioned work held in the permanent collection of the Royal Ontario Museum.
Dedicated to building community through creative exchange, Bear facilitates artist workshops and retreats throughout Ontario as well as focuses her on her own studio practice in Cherry Valley ON creating contemporary folk hand-hooked rugs inspired by her Mennonite heritage and lived experience.
“I am drawn to craft for its ability to bring together communities through common practice. Within the modern world of craft, there remains a natural desire to gather, to share space and knowledge and technique; to sustain these traditions with an intention towards experimentation- this is what excites me about contemporary approaches to craft.
For our Fall 2023 SHED workshop series, we have brought together a group of professional artist facilitators whose values and approach to craft are shared with those of Chetwyn Farm- modern, sustainable, handmade, and driven to challenge and explore.
Come be inspired by the slow pace and rural beauty of the farm setting. Workshops are intimate affairs, hosted in our airy, light-filled studio loft in our newly converted 19th century barn. All skill levels welcome.”
Bear has curated the beginnings of our Workshop series at Chetwyn Farms and we look forward to sharing more with you as our programming expands into the winter months in 2024.
FInd out about the workshops under the “workshops” tab on our home page and sign-up today!
https://www.beareppcommoncraft.com
]]>We have curated a fall season of workshops, talks, exhibitions and hands-on training we’re calling “Cultivating Culture.” Combining our passion for sustainable farming, our love of hand-made, and of course our appreciation for all things alpaca
- these workshops are specifically designed to be intimate (no more than 12 participants) uniquely designed for up-close-and-personal encounters with our alpaca -
And….with renowned professional instructors, artists, designers, photographers and crafts people. We can’t wait to have you spend time on our farm in our new purpose-built studio and create with other like-minded individuals.
See all our offerings under the “experiences” tab on our web site and choose from sketching, photography and painting with the alpaca. Weekend workshops include natural dying (including foraging for plants to create the dyes), art journaling and so much more….
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Since we began alpaca farming more than 10 years ago - we have been celebrating the natural colours of alpaca fleece. With over 23 naturally occurring colours and shades of alpaca fleece, its easy with alpaca to create rich, warm and earthy tones - without any added colour treatments. It’s the hallmark of alpaca fleece!
Recently however, we’ve been experimenting with natural dyes to expand our offerings - Natural dyes have been used for hundreds of years to colour all kinds of wool cloth and natural fibres. We spend hours walking our farm fields harvesting plants and heading back to the studio where we start extracting the rich colours from the leaves, berries, and flowers we find on the farm. It’s an enjoyable way to spend the last hours of autumn searching for the right plants, in the best condition and hanging them to dry in the hot house while planning our projects. Some common, easy to find dye sources include pokeberry, goldenrod, marigold, turmeric root, crushed acorns, and when looking further afield - pomegranates, beets and even the mighty avocado create fantastic colour for dying.
When you visit the farm this year, you will see a new garden at the entrance of the SHED shop - where we have curated our favourite plants used for dying some of our yarns. We’ve marked each plant so you too can plan and plant a home garden that produces not only food but also herbs and fruits that produce intense dye baths. Even weeds that you typically see growing along rural roadways were historically gathered as plant dye sources. You will look at every plant in a new way!
We hope you will look at what we have created with our small, curated range of hand-dyed all natural fibre-goods. There’s something magical about using truly organic ingredients that you source locally from the natural environment. Combined with the luxury of alpaca and the sustainable nature of alpaca farming, we hope you enjoy this new curated collection as much as we enjoy creating it for you!
]]>The 2023 collection of yarns are starting to come back from the various mills we use to produce our high-quality alpaca products. Alpaca produce a most luxurious fibre - and commonly referred to as “the fibre of the Gods”. While visitors to the farm see alpaca grazing in the fields and paddocks, commenting on their impressive coat of fibre, many ask – “how does all that glorious fleece become usable fibre AND how much does one alpaca produce?”
It’s a long and arduous process that begins with an annual sheering. Each spring we spend a weekend working in small groups with a qualified sheerer to sheer, collect and grade fleece as it comes off the alpaca. Alpaca fleece generally falls into 4 categories: Grade #1 and #2 or the “baby-blanket” are the very best quality and are used for yarn production, and #3 and #4 for felted products. Once off the alpaca, the fleece begins its journey to and from the mills. All fibre has to be skirted and cleaned. During skirting, the fibre is spread out on a screen. Things like guard hairs, dirt, and grass/hay are removed. We batch our alpaca fibre according to the grade AND the colour as the mills generally require a minimum of 5 lbs of one grade and colour to be processed.
Once our fibre is skirted, we send it to the various mills to be washed and processed. The mills are an important partner for us in developing the correct blend and weight of the finished yarns. What we send to the mills, and what they believe is the most suitable use of the fleece doesn’t always add-up once the fleece has been washed and processed. A delicate balance of quality and suitability is used to get the right results. We could write an entire blog on the intricacies of what happens at the mill including the washing & carding process, the actual spinning of the fleece into yarn, and the various techniques used to create the unmistakable qualities of alpaca yarn. Single strands are plied into what’s recognized as yarn – be it two singles put together, three of even strands of doubles plied together to make chunkier or Lopi weight yarns. This process could be an entire Blog entry on its own!
This is what we get back from the Mill. Yarn that is sometimes 100% alpaca, sometimes blends of alpaca with other fibres (alpaca fibre on its own is not particularly strong, so adding merino or bamboo or silk gives it a strength otherwise not found in 100% alpaca.) Knitters will know and feel the difference. 100% alpaca has a glorious drape and hand-feel quality that makes it a joy to work with – and produces beautiful shawls, sweaters and more. Mittens, toques and other “hard-wearing” items depend on a blended yarn to give it the weight and strength needed. Where alpaca lacks the strength, it makes up for it in warmth.
The final step once we receive the yarn back to the farm is to re-wash all of the yarn. Many farms avoid this step as it is time-consuming and labour intensive, but it does remove considerable dirt from the skeins – so we use large sinks to wash in cold water with a gentle detergent and allow each skein of yarn to dry before re-skeining, banding and offering for sale.
And so….How much yarn does one alpaca produce? Our general rule-of-thumb is each alpaca makes a generous sweater! That’s right…on average an alpaca in Ontario will produce 12-18 skeins of premium quality yarn and possibly the same amount of blended or other felted products. The quality of alpaca and the process are unmatched in every way, making it truly - the “Fibre of the Gods”
If you own a pair of alpaca socks, you know what a difference they make compared to other socks in regards to warmth and comfort. Alpaca fibre has been used for centuries in the production of garments, which are known to be warm, luxurious and characteristically light-weight.
The thermal qualities of alpaca socks are widely known as the sock of choice for those wishing for a sock that is warm, soft to the touch and not as bulky as other wool or cotton socks. They are also ideal for those who are diabetic or those who suffer from chronic foot problems. Alpaca is three times warmer than wool, and has similar thermal qualities but does not have lanolin, the “prickly” characteristic of wool. This makes alpaca socks smoother to the touch, with a delightful hand-finish so it is non-irritating to sensitive feet. It is also hypoallergenic for those who are allergic to wool!
Alpaca fibre naturally retains warmth against the skin and wicks moisture. Wicking is the ability of the fibre to pull moisture from the skin’s surface toward the outer surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate. Because of alpaca’s natural moisture wicking properties, wearing alpaca socks help to keep feet dry and hygienic, which is also extremely beneficial for our diabetic customers.
Peripheral neuropathy, which affects feet and hands, is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy and it can leave sufferers with chronically cold feet. Over the years, we have helped those with peripheral neuropathy select an alpaca sock that meets the requirement of warmth, comfort, and a loose fit that are super-soft with a looped-terry lining and non-restrictive bands. The naturally hypoallergenic alpaca fibre provides comfort for aching, cold feet and sensitive skin. Living with diabetic foot complications is a complex issue, but wearing warm socks and avoiding excessive moisture are recommended measures.
The socks we suggest for diabetics and those suffering from peripheral neuropathy, are cushioned for extra comfort and very soft against sensitive, vulnerable skin. While alpaca fibre on its own is not as durable as other fibre - with the blending of 10% nylon or other fibre, these socks are durable and can be machine washed making them as convenient as they are comfortable.
We understand that warm feet are nice for most people but a necessity for our diabetic customers, and we want to help by providing the best alpaca socks possible. Our suggested socks for diabetics are made from either our own fleece or other local fleece, milled in Ontario, Canada, and are a commitment to sustaining both the makers and the producers who understand that the unique properties of alpaca can be made sustainably and locally.
]]>Nothing compares to the luxury of 100% alpaca throws and blankets. We work with designers and artisans to produce some of the finest alpaca blankets and throws. The blanket is thought to be named after Thomas Blanquette, a Flemish weaver who lived in Bristol in the 14th century. Before that, people would sleep under mounds of animal skins. Thomas pioneered a heavy woollen cloth, the eponymous “blanket,” and grew his workshop into a thriving business. This seemingly basic and everyday necessity provided warmth and comfort to its users, while also having a myriad of histories and meanings across cultures.
Blankets are meant to stay in one place – the bed. Alpaca bedding blankets add a boost of warmth to your sleep, stacked on top of duvets, quilts or comforters. Today's range of alpaca blankets add a pop of colour and style, and during warmer months the blanket can simply be the top-layer and accent in any bedroom. Solid, plaid, saddle-stitch-trimmed, or simply a fringe along the edge – The Chetwyn Farms alpaca blankets are a fashion-forward addition to any bedroom.
The throw is a casual, usually smaller version of the blanket - meant to be a casual alternative to a blanket, perfect for afternoon siestas and winter naps, or to throw over an armchair. These smaller covers are best used outside of sleep time, and offers a lot of style to your home. Alpaca throws are perfect due to the lightness and warmth of the fibre without the bulk. Snuggly and soft, alpaca throws are both sophisticatedly elegant and cozy warm.
]]>We love the cooler autumn weather! It celebrates the glory of a growing season here on the farm, and reminds us that winter is not far off. It also means we return to sweater weather!
The sweater has a unique background in its origins. The art of hand-knitting garments dates back over two thousand years, however the first knitted sweater was made in the 15th century in the islands of Guernsey & Jersey, which are parts of the English Channel Islands. Hence the naming of many sweaters either a “Guernsey” or “Jersey." Guernseys were knitted by the wives of fishermen who lived on the islands of Guernsey & Jersey. Hard-wearing and thick, these sweaters protected fishermen from external elements and tough weather conditions. Worn primarily by the working class who appreciated the durability and thickness, the sweater became a staple of daily life. In the following decades, the sweater was worn by English gentlemen during leisure activities. This led the sweater being integrated into country side wardrobes. The “Guernsey” got a rename to "sweater" when it first appeared in North America in the 19th century.
Whatever style, from the classic crew-neck to the polo or v-neck, sweaters have traditionally been made from different materials including wool, cashmere, cotton, silk and of course our favourite: alpaca! Thick or thin, sweaters can last a lifetime, especially when well made from natural fibres, and when cared for like a family heirloom.
At Chetwyn Farms, we call them a necessity of winter and nothing beats an alpaca sweater – no matter what you call it! Sweaters that are made of 100% alpaca fibre are the warmest, softest and lightest sweater you can own. Depending on the knit, it can be lofty with a delicate hand-feel, or more tightly knit, reminiscent of those fishermen sweaters with a heavier weight. The incredible drape of 100% alpaca yarn makes sweater wearing a pleasure unsurpassed. Needing a more durable sweater, we often blend our alpaca fibre with merino wool to give it the structure it needs to stand up to the outside elements.
Whatever blend, style or natural fibre - today’s sweater is as important as those of yesterday!
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If you’re like us, you have started planing your fall and winter projects in time for gift-giving this holiday season. With a full range of alpaca yarns in various weights, blends and all natural colours, we can’t wait to get started. Hand-knit socks, sweaters for baby, or scarves, toques and cowls, are popular items for gift-giving, and when the starting material is alpaca - its a luxurious and practical gift that lasts a lifetime and comes from the heart!
Novice or beginner knitters will delight in the variety of lopi and chunky yarns we currently offer, easily knit-up as toques and cowls, and with a wide range of various sport weight, DK and fingerling yarns, any project becomes elevated simply with the use of alpaca fibre. So….find that pattern, choose your yarn and get-set to make something from the heart this holiday season!
In addition to alpaca yarn, we have handy knitting tools like needle gauges, knitting journals, scissors, tape measures and more. Our exclusive “Yarn Bowls” hand-formed by celebrated contemporary ceramic artist Andrea Piller, keeps the yarn handy and in one place while you knit that one-of-a-kind creation, and our limited edition knitting books provide guidance and inspiration
Want to work from a kit? We love the “TOFT” line of crochet kits and offer them in a beginner level - in various characters including bunny, sheep and of course the alpaca! Perfect to make something to give, and also nice to give as a gift as a kit! Everything is included to make these delightful crochet animals.
Our custom designed project bags and totes make great gifts too! Oversized and featuring “Pippa” our alpaca mascot, these organic cotton bags are perfect for holding all your knitting supplies. The project bag has a sturdy zipper and holds extra long needles and many skeins of yarn, accessories and tools. The totes have generous straps, a gusset that allows for lots of packing and all of them make great gifts!
Fall really is about getting settled into a new rhythm and we hope you discover the pleasure of knitting and crocheting with alpaca yarn as you settle into autumn this year!
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With summer winding down, kids getting ready to go back to school and the County beginning to harvest the bounty of the season, September is fast approaching. As a sustainable farm, we use the last days of summer to bring in a “second-cut” of hay and store it in the old bank-barn for use over the winter and prepare the pastures for the long winter ahead. The last few weeks of summer on the farm also find us wrapping up our Yoga with the Alpaca sessions, our popular Alpaca Encounters series and with a mid-August concert featuring “Nordic Voices” as part of Big Lake Music Festival (Yes a concert in the paddocks surrounded by our herd of alpaca) we turn our attention to harvest time in the County.
Vineyards are brimming with ripening vines, farm stands are overflowing with fresh vegetables and fruit – the bounty of a good summer in Prince Edward County. This is a great time to visit the County, as the weather is cooler, the crowds have diminished, reducing wait times at tasting bars, restaurants and Sandbanks Provincial Park – a perfect time to fully immerse yourself in what the Quinte region has to offer. Arts & culture in the County thrives in the fall months with lots to do and see! Our unique and one-of-a-kind farm cottage provides an ideal setting for those who want to immerse themselves in not only harvest time in the County, but the rhythm of sustainable farming. Find out more about this unique offering on our website!
At Chetwyn Farms, the land that sustains us will slowly begin to rest for the winter ahead, but we are busy in the studio, working with designers, skilled artisans and fibre mills – building our Collection for fall and winter. If the farmer’s almanac is a reliable source of weather forecasting, we are in for a cold, harsh winter, and alpaca socks, mittens, toques and accessories are the best way to beat the cold weather and enjoy the sustainable elegance of alpaca! Our throws, duvets and blankets are an added luxury to wrap yourself on cold winter days! Watch for these and lots of new yarns, kits and accessories launching in time for the winter.
We are thrilled to be re-launching our website in time for fall and winter shopping. A more user-friendly website that makes it easier for us to stay connected with you and make your online experience easier to navigate with better sizing options, descriptions and built-in resources. We’ve also launched a new loyalty program, especially for you! Over the years we have made friends with many of you and as our way of thanking you for your continued support of our small farm business, we wanted to offer meaningful and lasting savings when purchasing any of our alpaca products. Referrals to friends and family, following us on social media and lots of other ways all combine to offer great savings! Sign-up today for exclusive discounts and special offers every time you shop with us!
]]>In partnership with Lilac & Vine - we are delighted to offer private picnic experiences this summer at Chetwyn Farms.
Enjoy a beautiful day in the County and get up close with the exquisite Alpaca herd at Chetwyn Farms, in an exclusive and one-of-a-kind experience, curated for Chetwyn Farms by Lilac & Vine.
Meet us in the “Show-Ring” where you will begin your introduction to Chetwyn Farms. Tucked behind the 100-year old barn, you’ll find a small herd of alpaca waiting to meet you! Following a visit with the herd and a short tour of the farm, guests will enjoy a beautiful picnic in the expansive barn overlooking the picturesque fields and landscape OR right in the Alpaca pen where you will have your own entertainment as the Alpacas roam or come to greet you during your lunch!
What’s Included
• Menu choice of a brunch board or a luxury cheese and charcuterie grazing board
• L&V signature picnic styling including low table, rugs, pillows, blankets, chargers, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, cloth napkins, candles and light florals.
• Signature L&V lilac lemonade, flat and sparkling water
• Premium add-on’s available including
o Additional food & beverage or a custom menu
o Custom personalized gifting
o Wine service
o Florals
o Custom décor
Details
• Picnic experiences are available Tuesday through Sunday, June until the end of September
• Offerings include three seating times:
o 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
• Picnic experiences are 120 minutes long
• Pre-booked custom picnics are also available subject to date and availability
Important Notes
• Guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from Chetwyn Farms, unless otherwise discussed and booked in advance. We ask you to limit your vehicles to a ratio of 1:6 guests as parking is limited.
• For in-climate weather, picnic will take place indoors
• All guests must remain respectful to the Alpacas.
• Minimum of four guests to a maximum of ten guests.
• Smaller or larger parties may be accommodated but will come with a surcharge. Please enquire.
Prices starting at $125 pp Please visit
http://www.lilacandvine.ca/ for all the details about how you can book this experience - part of the Wellness Programming at Chetwyn Farms this summer
Our alpaca are haltered and handled as little as possible to provide them with the most natural and stress-free existence on the farm. It also protects the integrity of the fibre and fleece which is the basis of our farm business.
In 2022 however, we have figured out how to provide a unique alpaca encounter with our guests while maintaining the integrity of the fibre and the sustainability of the farm setting. All part of our new wellness program of offerings at Chetwyn Farms. Find the details below:
Get up close & personal with our curious and friendly alpacas at SHED Chetwyn Farms. Enjoy the serenity of our farm before we open to the public in these scheduled morning sessions where our facilitator will introduce you to the alpacas, by name (yes they all have names) make connections with their unique personalities and enjoy an informational and educational look at alpaca farming on a working fibre farm. Alpacas by nature are shy and quiet- but before the end of your encounter – with patience and kindness you will gain the trust of our alpacas. You will feel their restorative quality and dwell in the peace and calming influence they have on us!
As we are a working fibre farm, we move with the rhythm of the seasons and the rhythm of the daily pasture rotation of the alpaca. Weather permitting we wander the fields, stop under the apple trees or spend time in the purpose-built Show Ring. Bring your camera for the ultimate selfie, and prepare to fall in love with these magical, elegant animals.
We do not halter our alpaca at SHED Chetwyn Farms, allowing them to graze naturally and move freely within the secured paddocks and fields. You are a guest in their surroundings, and ask you to be mindful of proper farm etiquette.
What to Bring: A camera, suitable clothing and footwear.
Where: Meet at the SHED shop with the facilitator
When: 9:30-10:30 on select days in 2022
Prices: Adult = 8-13 $35.00 Child – under 8 free with adult
Check our Alpaca Encounter or Alpaca Yoga pages for the scheduled dates of our wellness sessions.
]]>When the alpaca are shorn in the spring months, the fleece is graded according to quality and stored in bags ready to sort, clean and organise later in the year. Sheering took place last year on the first weekend of June 2021. Along with our sheerer, a small team collected, bagged, tagged and stored the fleece, ready for us to work on this past winter.
]]>It can be an arduous task, but also fulfilling for those of us who love “getting our hands dirty”. It’s an annual “must-do” if we are to have enough yarn to make available in our SHED shop - or use to create our hand-knit collections.
When the alpaca are shorn in the spring months, the fleece is graded according to quality and stored in bags ready to sort, clean and organise later in the year. Sheering took place last year on the first weekend of June 2021. Along with our sheerer, a small team collected, bagged, tagged and stored the fleece, ready for us to work on this past winter.
With just over 150lbs of fleece of outstanding quality, it was sorted into colours and minimum 5lb lots (5 lbs being the minimum amount a mill will process alpaca fibre into yarn). Because we never dye our fleece, getting that minimum per colour is critical to achieve the range of yarn and finished product we plan in any given season.
It’s “in-the-bag” for 2022 as all of our fleece has now started to be processed at various mills - in an assortment of natural colours, weights and blends. Our very best fleece (the “blanket” is made into 100% alpaca yarn while 2nd’s are used for blending - usually with merino, but sometimes silk, bamboo or other fibres. Any fibre not meeting these 2 “grades” goes into felt production to make slippers, insoles and other felt products.
Our yarn for 2022 will come back to us early May in time for our farm-shop opening mid May. It truly is farm-to-needle with alpaca fleece!
]]>Chetwyn Farms is an active and popular working alpaca farm that welcomes visitors from around the world, hosts VIP events, lectures, tours and presents workshops during the operating season which runs daily 11-4 mid May until Christmas. The “farm-cottage” is a turn-of-the-century “Loyalist” cottage with wide-plank floors, abundant views to the pastures and outfit for an extraordinary stay in a unique one-of-a-kind setting in Prince Edward County.
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Chetwyn Farms is an active and popular working alpaca farm that welcomes visitors from around the world, hosts VIP events, lectures, tours and presents workshops during the operating season which runs daily 11-4 mid May until Christmas. The “farm-cottage” is a turn-of-the-century “Loyalist” cottage with wide-plank floors, abundant views to the pastures and outfit for an extraordinary stay in a unique one-of-a-kind setting in Prince Edward County. Ten minute drive to the village of Wellington and the Drake Devonshire, and 20 minutes Picton or to Sandbanks Provincial Park
As our guests, we invite you to participate as much or as little in the daily rhythm of farm life on this small alpaca farm. While the farm and shop are open to the public, the house enjoys a private entrance and is located far enough away from the main activities to provide a peaceful and enjoyable farm-stay. Many of our guests are participants in our annual series of workshops, lectures and special events. (Please see elsewhere on the site for details about upcoming events)
The Farm Cottage: Our turn of the century farm cottage has been lovingly restored and tastefully decorated featuring an open kitchen with island that seats 4, and a great room with stone fireplace. A dining room with harvest table for 6 guests adjoins the well-appointed living room including a baby grand piano providing an intimate and unforgettable experience to unwind with family or friends over your holiday. Outside a seating area on the deck overlooks the horse pasture and a barbecue provides outdoor cooking for 6 person dining.
A master bedroom with 2 piece en-suite and second guest room with full 4 piece bath are also on the second floor with a smaller guest bedroom downstairs. There is a three piece bath on the main floor providing comfortable accommodation for up to 6 guests
Enjoy the 6 person hot tub while watching the stars in the clear skies or the alpaca and horses in the nearby paddocks. Walk in the 54 acres of fields on the farm or grab your bike, hike or walk along Closson road to many wineries, farm shops and breweries. A short drive to Wellington in under ten minutes brings you to the Drake Devonshire and other restaurants along with grocery and liquor store.
The farm is our home and we reside on the property and tend to the day-to-day management of the farm. There may be special events or other activities happening on the farm which we will communicated prior to bookings. Minimum booking of 1 week, $750.00 nightly rate for up to 6 people, plus $250.00 Cleaning Fee. Please send us an e-mail on the "Contact Us Page" and we will respond directly to all inquiries including PICS, floor plan and details about pricing and availability.
https://shedchetwynfarms.com/products/farm-stay-vacation?variant=39678450073702
https://www.vrbo.com/665732
https://www.booking-sandbanksvacations.com/vacation-rental-home.asp?PageDataID=177671
Contact us to book your reservation here.
]]>It’s on cold rainy or snowy days, when slogging through fields of puddles and wet snow reminds us why we LOVE our alpaca boot socks – or as we call them The “Wellie” boot sock. To fully understand why our boot sock is perfectly suited to the “Wellie” boot – or any other high rubber boot, you need to know the history of the Wellington Boot.
Originally worn by officers in the British Army, the Wellington boot has been in use since the 1790’s. It was the Duke of Wellington, or Arthur Wellesley who made the boot popular in 1817, when the boot transformed from military uniform to the fashion of the aristocrat!
The “Wellie” replaced the “Hessian” boots, which were popular with troops, but were made of leather – great for difficult terrain, but not so much for water! The re-worked boot known as the Wellington originated in 1917 after the Duke of Wellington popularized the boot. Post World War ll the rubber “Wellies” were still popular after being recognized as extremely waterproof and comfortable. The boot started to become popular even among the working class due to the unique health and safety benefits of the boot.
As time passed – so too did the material of the boot including more durable forms of leather, neoprene and rubber. Today the “Wellie” is worn by agriculture professionals, countrymen, dog walkers and gardeners. At Chetwyn Farms we wear basic hard-working, steel toed rubber boots around the farm, and keep our more fashionable “Wellies” made by brands such as Hunter boots, Muck-boot & Barbour for more public outings.
So….What makes the perfect boot sock? Warmth, comfort and long-lasting! Our alpaca boot socks are made from 45% baby alpaca, 40% acrylic and 15% nylon – the perfect blend for warmth, comfort and durability. With a cushion-loop knit, the sock is warm without being bulky. With a fitted sole, the sock hugs your feet and reduces slippage inside the boot. An added woven elastic band at the top of the sock prevents further slipping. It’s the perfect boot sock! Available in three fashion-forward colours – charcoal, biscuit and dove grey – the Wellington Boot Sock is perfect!
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When we first started offering felted insoles and slippers, it was through trial & error that we came-up with a thickness of felt that stood the test of time, provided superior warmth & wicking properties AND was durable enough for everyday use.
Those “Fiona” slippers are still one of the most popular felted products we offer, but many of our visitors have asked for a more form-fitting slipper that is not as chunky or thick as the original “Fiona’s”
New for 2022 These “Sophie” felt slippers are handmade from thinner, more compressed industrial felt, hand-shaped into a rolled contour. Super comfy! A more form-fitting version of our popular “Fiona” felt slippers - they have all the alpaca fibre properties: warmth, antiseptic, antiperspirant and antibacterial along with the durability of merino wool.
Designed by Sophie Ottanêr for Chetwyn Farms. We know you will love them as much as we do!
A note about sizes - As these slippers are hand-made, there are some slight variations in fit! Generally they will loosen like a traditional moccasin as you wear them! Sizes shown are unisex
Easily spot-cleaned but not washable. Material: 40% Alpaca 60% wool with a rigid skid-proof sole on the bottom. Pull-tab at back for comfort fit.
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Vanda McLelland
]]>]]>Since I was a small child I have loved working with fabrics – the touch and feel of them is so inspiring and colour is a passion for me. My mother used to make all of my dresses for me when I was young – with matching head kerchiefs and headbands for each dress and she would always cut out a dress from the same fabric for a matching dress for my doll. I have a memory of hand sewing a doll dress from fabric scraps with my mom when I was about 5 years old.
As a young mother I carried on the tradition and made many of my children’s clothes…..little coats with embroidered images on the back – matching hats – they were stylish toddlers! Each Christmas eve the kids received new flannel jammies I had worked on prior to the holidays.
And now – in my spare time – I actually have a very demanding career – I play with fabric. My friends at Chetwyn Farms – Shed – inspired me to make some project bags for them… I hope you enjoy using them as much as I enjoyed making them.
I craft. I am a craftsperson.I am crafty. Wait, what? I thought I was an artist?
Ceramist? These are all labels that can be quite constricting.
Making: forming, building, constructing, sculpting, painting, knitting, sewing, cooking, gardening, in other words imagining and creating, matters. It is a foundation of human activity across the globe. Being skilled or proficient with material - ‘honing one’s craft’, matters. The maker can get their point or idea across well and they are understood. This is very important for the maker.
Using materials with hands, heart, and mind becomes an identity point for people like me, the craftsperson, painter, chef, horticulturist, and essentially anybody who creates. Craft is an expression of how I am tuned in and choose to reflect and state my human experience. It is transforming.
As artists we want to define what we do and why it matters.Craft seeks to understand the nuances of material and how to get the best from it.
Craft allows us to feel energized and sparked by our imaginations forever; this includes our past, present and future.We wish to make sense of our perceptions using material.It is often a slow process that keeps traditional techniques alive.The crafted object becomes an invitation to see a record of time, place and vocation as it evolves. Craft becomes a singular personal identity but is also a cultural identity, as I am not alone. All across Canada and the world I have colleagues who are makers.The nature of this work keeps us alive and happy. ‘I am’ when I am in my studio.
To be fully engaged in my craft allows me to be free of language.The materiality embodies and anchors all of my developments in understanding form, colour, texture, etc. Making is a record of my stories, ideas, beliefs and aesthetics. It is it’s own language that exemplifies and communicates without words.
In some ways I feel like what I do in my studio has not particularly changed during this past year, living in a pandemic and lockdowns. For me, the land, sky and water that surrounds me is as important as ever. Watching seasonal changes, the subtle sounds and sightings of each is sustaining and has been my steady nurturer.I continue to mirror this in a personal way, looking inward to find renewal and change in my work. Finding this rhythm and balance is a kind of elixir for life. The approach to making is just as important as the outcome. Searching for new statements to make from the exceptionally versatile clay medium is exhilarating. There are so many variables and nuances to techniques and processes and this takes time to develop.
Which we have a lot of right now. Where are we to go? What are we going to do? There is my studio ten paces away, beckoning for me to reckon with all my feelings and concerns.
Mass-produced objects can never possess the meaning that hand made objects hold. In each there is a magical combination of imagination, individuality, passion and skill. There is a lasting joy to be surrounded by and to live with hand made things, that in turn over time take on new meaning to those who possess them.
It is a constant source of joy in my life to meet those interested in what I make.Not sharing with others, either by the lack of shows or not being able to teach right now is a big hurdle through this time.Craft appreciation has become very difficult because vital elements of sensory experience are unavailable in a virtual experience. How does one replace the face to face setting? What is the story behind the piece?
I value the people who have been able to break through these constraints at this time and continue to support me. Being able to relate to the pieces still, via socially distanced gallery visits or visual snippets on social media you prove another point. You value this human moment of connection and the essence of what craft means and why it matters.
I ask myself the question, what would I do without my imagination? What a horrendous thought. I have always had a wild imagination and I have realized especially now during the pandemic, what true comfort my imagination brings to me. I would be lost without it. Being able to fill times of solitude or stress with creative ideas feels like one of the best gifts in life.
Entering into my creative zone does not necessarily mean drawing or making something, it can be something private and restorative for myself. Some people don’t necessarily see themselves as creative but I believe it is possible for everyone to tap into their creative imagination. Ideas that exist in our minds are there for our own uninterrupted joy, free from the critique of anyone else. Is it art? It doesn’t matter! If our imagination feels empty or unproductive, maybe we can make choices in our day to help us enter that world. During this period of intense stress and international upheaval, it is very easy to be chained to the news and scroll endlessly on social media and our minds can become saturated with fast moving thoughts and overwhelm. It has at times felt difficult to avoid. I find personally the best way to combat this is to go for a walk outdoors, pick up an inspiring book or maybe to make something practical with my hands. Nurturing creativity feels more important than ever.
It is also incredibly rewarding and therapeutic to take ideas and inspiration and to make something physical. I do not consider myself a crafter, but I do like working in an analogue way, working with physical materials and elements. I am a surface pattern and wallpaper designer, meaning I like to create designs and motifs which can be repeated across the surface of just about anything. I like to create all of my designs by hand, working with fine line pen, brush and indian ink on transparencies on a light table. In the future I may decide to create designs on a tablet but right now I love the tactile quality of working with these physical materials. When you move away from the computer and create work with your hands, something special happens. Not only do you experience it as the artist, but also the end viewer sees the handmade quality and your human touch in whatever you make.
When being creative and making something, I pour my heart and soul into it. For me, part of my intent when creating a design is to share with the viewer, the joy or the feeling I felt when I first experienced the inspiration. I hope to capture the essence of a place or a subject and hopefully translate my emotion into the design itself. It is easy to go down a path of wanting your work to be more polished and perfect, but I think it might be the imperfections which can make it more special. I love how people say, “dance like no ones watching”. Maybe too we could apply this to our creativity, making things for the pure joy of it and not worrying so much about the finished product. As I work creatively for my income, I admit, this can be more challenging to balance!
I believe that the end viewer of the work will have a much better connection with the design, if the artwork is born from an authentic experience. Inspiration can be something lingering and lasting or it can be the most fleeting moment of joy. Some designs are born from spending a lot of time immersed in a place, gathering and jotting ideas and others might stem from something so ephemeral.
Modern life is often busy, stressful and sometimes isolating for a lot of people. We have so many tools to make life easier, quicker and more automated. I believe that in a world, which is moving so quickly to flatten and smooth everything for speed and ease, people are yearning for something more unique, personal and sensual. When you make personal, crafted works of art and you share them with the world, this emotional connection feeds through the maker to all of the people who get to experience the artwork, whether it is a surface pattern design, a knitted sweater, a painting or maybe an embroidery. Creating work which is rewarding to us and comes from the heart makes all of our lives better. We become healthier and the world becomes more rich, textured and meaningful.
Photo Credits: Johnny C.Y. Lam
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The yarn in my fingers connected me to the past, beyond this strange and terrible year, and to the family members far away.
“If you know the joy of knitting, this is the time to pass it on,” Dr. Perri Klass says. Credit...Getty Images
If you Google the two words “knitting” and “pandemic” together, you will get about 23 million hits. You’ll also do very well with “knitting through the pandemic,” and “knitting” with “Covid” will get you 266 million options, the very first of which, at least when I tried this, was a British pattern for a Covid-19 teddy bear (he wears a mask).
You’ll get feature stories about how the pandemic sparked a global knitting craze, or how knitting has become “the cool activity” during the coronavirus crisis, a Times story on knitting for the apocalypse, and also many personal testimonies, like this one by Ann Hood, who has written before about knitting and grief, in particular about the role that it played in her life after the sudden death of her daughter.
This past week, I was invited to speak at a meeting of crafters at the Windsor Public Library in Windsor, Conn., because I’ve written about knitting, and especially about the confluence of knitting and medicine. (The 1992 article I wrote about knitting in medical school and residency, and getting yelled at for it, gave me a special satisfaction because it let me answer back; the Times Magazine ran letters in response for weeks after it appeared, some from people who were furious that knitters had the temerity to knit at work, others invoking Eleanor Roosevelt knitting while ambassador to the United Nations, or remembering the comfort of watching knitting needles moving while falling asleep as a child in a London underground station during the Blitz.)
The group of crafters who joined the call had their hands busy. They included a couple of knitters — distanced and masked, of course — at the local yarn store, Ewe and You, and others joining from home.
We went around the Zoom room and showed our various projects in progress. Then I talked a little about knitting, about writing about knitting, about the research on knitting (and other crafts) to promote health and reduce stress, about knitting (and other brain exercises and social interactions) to stave off dementia.
The women at the meeting were all knitting their way through the pandemic. One said that she had not done any knitting for the first two months of lockdown, and certainly not for lack of yarn — she had just moved to a larger apartment, in part to give her yarn stash more room. But one night the power went off, “so I cast on a hat,” she said. “It broke the dam.” Since then she has made many things, and donated them to charity, often through Care To Knit. Another was making garments for a new baby niece — “I’m not sure when I’ll get to meet her; knitting helped me feel like we’re bonding.” Another had finally had the chance to finish sweaters, which had long sat unfinished, and to start new ones.
Knitting puts me in the moment. As someone who has failed every attempt at meditation, or even at mindfulness, knitting calms my mind and brings me to the table, real or metaphorical. My hands move, I am aware of their movement. The yarn moves through my fingers, around my fingers, and I am aware of the tension (tension is another term with a technical meaning in knitting, and also, of course, a certain metaphorical importance).
And yet, at this pandemic moment, the yarn in my fingers and the project dangling from my needle was also connecting me to the past, beyond this strange and terrible year, and to the family members far away. I was working with a particularly beautiful ball of variegated velour yarn that I bought almost exactly a year ago, attending a pediatric meeting in New Orleans, and which I started making into a scarf for my daughter on a family car trip from New York City to New Hampshire last December.
As I stitched the next row, I thought about that lost world: big professional meetings. Casual travel from one city to another, armed with restaurant recommendations and the determination to take an hour to visit a local yarn store (The Quarter Stitch in the French Quarter). Family car trips. I had cast on 30 stitches for this scarf, as the very simple store pattern suggested, but my daughter wanted it longer and thinner, so I ripped out (“frogged” would be the usual term) after a few inches and started again with only 24.
How disgraceful, I thought, making my way back and forth across these short rows (knit 3 purl 3 repeat to end), and starting to beat myself up; I could so easily have been making a few inches of progress every day, this scarf could be finished, I could be beginning the next project. And I instantly recognized, this is how I tend to do self-care; I jump very quickly from something comforting that might yield a small sense of accomplishment to bitter self-reproach.
On the Zoom, we talked about learning to knit — about who taught us, and why that matters. Do you think that knitting sometimes skips a generation, I asked, and several of the others agreed. My own mother did not knit; I learned from my father’s mother, my Grandma Mimi, born in the East End of London, transplanted to the Lower East Side in the 1920s, where her self-described “Jewish Cockney” English was useless, and she had to learn Yiddish in order to shop, fraternize, and place and counter curses — my uncle wrote a story about my grandmother’s Yiddish witchcraft.
I tell you this to explain that she taught me “continental” style knitting, rather than “English,” which may be somehow traceable to that mix of ethnic identities. Thanks to her, I am a “picker,” not a “thrower” — I catch the yarn with my right-hand needle, instead of wrapping it. She made me the knitter I still am.
We mustn’t skip this generation. If you know the joy of knitting, this is the time to pass it on — and you have all the generationally appropriate tools available on YouTube where you can find all manner of beginning videos. For English knitting, there’s how to knit a scarf for beginners, or Ryan explaining how to knit in a cheerful accessible way — for continental, there’s Nancy or Maryna or Rokolee.
Rachel Schuster, the owner of Ewe and You, talked about using remote gatherings to foster the sense of community which used to manifest in group activities. Many of her customers, she said, knit for charity and give away what they make. “Just keep making, keep going, when you start getting into a rut of feeling sad, just keep going,” she said. “Completion is huge.”
I need to be in the moment, but I also need the future and the past. I’m doing a few inches every day now on the scarf for my daughter, and I have another ball of variegated velour, also from New Orleans, to make one for my son. I will feel the yarn in my fingers, I will be in the moment, but I will also be in those past moments, with the people I love most, moving through a world we want to see again. I’m going for completion.
*by permission of The New York Times VIA Facebook sharing
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Avery is the founder and CEO of Camp Tech. In addition to running Camp Tech, Avery works directly with clients as a digital advisor and tech consultant. She's the author of See You on the Internet: Building Your Small Business with Digital Marketing. Avery's also a tech correspondent for the media: you may have seen her on CTV's Your Morning, heard her voice on CBC Radio, or read her small business tech column in The Globe and Mail. Avery was listed #5 on the Top 50 Women in Marketing list by Search Engine Journal.
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