All bags qualify for this Shave 'Em to Save 'Em Fiber Challenge! You pick the SE2SE breed(s), style, size, and pattern. Make anything from a beach bag, tote, bucket, crossbody, market, messenger, satchel, barrel, saddle, hobo, envelope, clutch, fold-over, phone, wristlet, coin or treasure pouch with any of the rare breeds on our Conservation Priority List. Single or combined breed projects are allowed and minor non-wool embellishments are welcome.
In this course, you'll learn to create a bodacious bag with rare breed wool listed on The Livestock Conservancy's Conservation Priority List. This course includes
- 3 recorded Facebook Live sessions with Margaret Radcliffe. Sessions include fiber selection, picking a pattern, detailing with straps, stitches, and closures, and felting, fulling and finishing your bag.
- Rare Breed Fiber Chart and resources for creating your bodacious bag.
Thank you for supporting the Shave 'Em to Save 'Em Initiative and those who raise rare breed sheep and make products from their fiber! Your support helps save heritage breed sheep from extinction.
Learn more about the Shave 'Em to Save 'Em Initiative at RareWool.org
Photo of bag made of woven Leicester Longwool and Lincoln courtesy of Kathy O'Reilly. Promo photo of a group of handmade bags courtesy of Margaret Radcliffe.
Your Instructor
Margaret Radcliffe is the author of the bestselling Knitting Answer Book, The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques, Circular Knitting Workshop, and The Knowledgeable Knitter. Margaret has taught knitting since 1991 and began publishing her designs in a line of knitting patterns under the name Maggie’s Rags in 1997.
Margaret’s books explore knitting techniques in a depth well beyond what’s usually presented, in a way that makes both the techniques and their appropriate uses clear to readers. As a designer, her specialty is rewarding garments that look complicated but rely on the simplest knitting techniques. As a publisher, she focuses on patterns that help knitters learn new techniques and improve their skills. As a teacher, Margaret enthusiastically teaches everything from beginning knitting to garment design, and is acclaimed for her ability to help all knitters to develop their independence and creativity.
Margaret's many teaching venues include the John C. Campbell Folk School, the Madrona Fiberarts Winter Retreat, The National Needlearts Association (TNNA) trade shows, the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF), Knitters’ Day Out, Houston Fiber Fest, the Schooner J&E Riggin out of Rockland, Maine, and shops and fiber guilds across the U.S. and into Canada.
Like many knitters, Margaret has a varied background. She has degrees in Medieval Studies and English Literature, has been an internal auditor, computer programmer, business executive, research administrator, dancer, and editor.
Course Curriculum
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StartWelcome! We're glad you're here! (2:00)
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StartIntro, Resources, and Breed Characteristics (36:08)
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StartGetting Started with Fiber Selection, Bag Style, and Pick-a-Pattern or Design Your Own (64:43)
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StartDetailing Your Bag with Stitches, Straps, and Closures (91:36)
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StartFinishing, Felting, and Fulling Your Bag,and Project Showcase (69:53)
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StartThank you!