The True Cost of Wool

From the Publisher:
Ever wonder about the journey your yarn took before reaching your needles, hook or loom? Or about where the wool in your winter sweater came from? The truth might surprise you.

In this eye-opening exploration, shepherd and mill owner Anna Hunter reveals the startling reality behind Canada's wool industry: While Canadian farmers produce millions of pounds of wool annually, about 90% is shipped overseas—and around 95% of the yarn Canadian crafters use is imported, according to the latest available data.

Follow the wool as Hunter traces two distinct paths Canadian wool might take: The challenging route of domestic processing through Canada's limited infrastructure, and the opaque journey of wool sold as a global commodity, where traceability disappears across international borders.

Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Hunter delves into the environmental impact of shipping wool thousands of kilometres, the true labour involved in yarn production, and the economic pressures leading farmers to view their wool as worthless—sometimes choosing to burn it rather than trying to sell it.

But this isn't a doom-and-gloom book. Hunter has a vision for a vibrant future for Canadian wool. Meet the innovators rebuilding regional wool economies across Canada, creating alternatives that honour the connection between consumer, shepherd, and sheep. Learn how your purchasing choices can support this reinvigoration, and along the way begin to appreciate that the wool in your hands can be part of something truly beneficial from start to finish.

For knitters and yarn crafters who care about the stories behind their stitches and the impact of their craft, and for general consumers who want to know where their textiles come from and how they can make informed choices that bolster environmentally beneficial regional economies, this book offers an essential understanding of what "local" truly means—and how our choices can help reshape an industry from the ground up.

Printed in Canada