The Art of Knitting

Knitting is a method by which yarn is manipulated to create a textile or fabric for use in many types of garments.

Knitting creates multiple loops of yarn, called stitches, in a line or tube. Knitting has multiple active stitches on the needle at one time. Knitted fabric consists of a number of consecutive rows of interlocking loops. As each row progresses, a newly created loop is pulled through one or more loops from the prior row, placed on the gaining needle, and the loops from the prior row are then pulled off the other needle.

Knitting may be done by hand or by using a machine.

Different types of yarns (fibre type, texture, and twist), needle sizes, and stitch types may be used to achieve knitted fabrics with different properties (color, texture, weight, heat retention, look, water resistance, and/or integrity).

Angel Fiorito-Leddy - Leather Footwear

Angél has made leather footwear and clothing since 1977. Apprenticing in the art of custom fitted moccasins with master shoemaker Scott Taylor, she began the journey in Eugene, Oregon. During that time she also studied tailoring and pattern making in college. Following her initial apprenticeship, Angél decided to become a teacher, taking on several apprentices over the years.

"I was influenced by my father's Italian family. My Grandfather told me that he had worked in a shoe repair shop in Italy as a boy, before coming to America. Many members of my family are involved in aspects of the footwear industry, from shoe repair to design and orthotics. My Uncle Don Fiorito was certified in Orthopedic footwear while serving in the Military. He has been a major influence in my learning about orthopedic materials.

The shoes and clothes I make, are American washable leathers. I love designing and have many sheepskin slipper styles which I make in sizes for adults and children. I also make several types of leather sandals that have orthopedic foams and arches, which rival the popular synthetic sandals so many people are wearing today.

Because of my training in custom shoes and working with folks who have special needs, I offer one on one design too. This includes designing a shoe for someone who is paralyzed to a shoe made from the persons foot cast, to custom leather clothing, and everything in between. There is a need for this type of custom work so I am always busy doing what I can for people who need custom leather work.”

Starbuck Station Wools

The Starbuck Station Wools name Starbuck comes from Sheppard Martha Cant's mother’s family, out of Nantucket—whales, Station bit is from Australian and New Zealand sheep stations, or ranches.

Starbuck Station Wools has a long history of involvement in wool. When Sheppard Martha Cant moved to Freestone in 1974, she acquired 17 acres of pasture.

She started with Corriedales, added Lincolns to improve the luster, then when she needed a new ram, invested in a Wensleydale/Lincoln and a few Cormo ewes to breed him to, giving her the best combination of shiny and soft. Her flock consists of various mixes between these two types of wool, always striving for the right balance of length, fineness and crimp. She has a number of naturally colored sheep, black and grey in the Wensleydales, and brown in the Cormos. She sells whole or half raw fleeces, wool processed intoroving or sliver, and hand spun yarns.

A second interest of Martha's has to do with dyeing wool with natural dyes, plants and bugs which are found in nature and used to impart color to fiber. She raises a lot of my own dye plants: Japanese indigo, madder, coreopsis and marigolds. Queen Anne's lace and goldenrod, lupin flowers and laurel leaves are gathered from roadsides. She is developing a palate from these sources, and she dyes a lot of quality commercially spun yarns as well as her own hand spun.

Starbuck Station Wools are available at the Artisans' Co-op, 17175 Bodega Hwy, Bodega, CA 94922 .