Anna Hunter - Long Way Homestead

😂😂

A large speech bubble with a stylized quotation mark reads: "Synthetic fibers take from a finite supply of virgin petroleum and return only fodder for the landfill. At the other end of the spectrum we have wool, which doesn't come from a well, barrel, tub, or spigot... In fact, all you really need is some land and water and sunshine." – Clara Parkes, in the foreword. Next to the attribution is a thumbnail image of the cover of the book, The True Cost of Wool, by Anna Hunter.

Author @longwayhomestead.bsky.social asked American wool advocate @claraparkes.bsky.social if she would write the foreword to THE TRUE COST OF WOOL many months ago. Then, as we rushed to get the book out because it is so relevant to our current conversation about where our goods come from...

This is an amazing picture!!! You should be sooo proud!!

Graphic featuring the book cover image of The True Cost of Wool, by Anna Hunter, with starbursts behind it. At the top, flanked by stars, it says, "Bestseller."

✨ Huge CONGRATULATIONS ✨ to @longwayhomestead.bsky.social, whose book THE TRUE COST OF WOOL is on 🍁 The Globe and Mail's 🍁 bestseller list!!

www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/133b5f1...

True Cost of Wool Book about Canadian wool industry — long way homestead True Cost of Wool Book about Canadian wool industry written by shepherd and wool mill owner Anna Hunter. A deep dive into the history and present wool supply chain in Canada.

I think every Canadian who runs a small business that has anything to do with wool needs to read my newest book.

I’ve see some misinformation lately on the wool supply chain on websites/ socials - and I think this book answers some important questions.

www.longwayhomestead.com/books/pre-or...

“My hope is that by building stronger connections we will be inspired to work collectively to change the wool industry, to value an account for those actual costs, and to build a just an equitable world that is, of course, covered in Wool!”

The True Cost of Wool - 2025

Image featuring the book cover of "The True Cost of Wool," by Anna Hunter is under a heading that reads, "Book Release!" with a tiny maple leaf in the first "o" of "Book." The book cover is on a background of goldenrod-coloured knitted fabric. Words inside a red starburst read, "Book launch – McNally Robinson June 13." At the bottom of the image in red text is: "The True Cost of Wool is about a complex supply chain and reimagining a future where what we wear connects us to land, community, and a more resilient textile economy."

Today's the day! Happy book birthday, @longwayhomestead.bsky.social! And huge thanks to the amazing @claraparkes.bsky.social for writing the foreword!

For the first time, a new book of ours is available in both Canada & the U.S. 🎉 Find or ask for it at your fave bookstore, craft shop, or library 📚

One of many things that wow me about @longwayhomestead.bsky.social is that these videos were all recorded in one take, one after another, in a total of like fifteen minutes. This one didn't even have an "um" or an "uh" in it. Legend.

The True Cost of Wool book is here.

If you want a deeper understanding of the Canadian Wool industry and what it takes to get the wool from sheep to your needles/hook/spindle/loom then pick up a copy!

www.longwayhomestead.com/books/pre-or...

True Cost of Wool - Anna Hunter — Knit Social The feeling and smell of a brand new skein of yarn is magical, the way it feels in your hands and on your needles, the beautiful shawl or sweater it will become. But how often do we consider the peopl...

I’m launching a NEW version of my True Cost of Wool lecture based on my new book.

Sunday, May 18
At Knit City Montreal

I’m so thrilled to bring this to the knitting/fibre arts world

www.knitsocial.ca/workshops-mt...

Government backing for wool a boost for farmers and rural communities Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) welcomes the Government’s decision to encourage the use of wool in public buildings.

Mandating wool carpets in government buildings - interesting strategy in NZ

beeflambnz.com/news/governm...

Have you read the three priorities for Canadian wool to ask your candidate? Now is the time to make wool a meaningful part of our agricultural industry.

www.canadianwool.org/2025-election

My first book about Canadian sheep & wool just turned two years old! If you haven’t read it yet - check it out (it’s on sale)!

www.longwayhomestead.com/book

Three Bags Full: Canadian Wool Priorities for the 2025 Federal Election is the Canadian Wool Collective’s call to action this election period.

www.canadianwool.org/2025-election

I didn't grow up in Canada so I don't know but did y'all learn about this treaty in school? Pretty sure I never heard about it in school in the U.S. Anyway I learned about it editing @longwayhomestead.bsky.social's book, in the part about the history of the Canadian wool industry.

Today is zero waste day - wool pellets are a fantastic way to deal with waste wool. Checkout more info

www.longwayhomestead.com/woolpellets

Yah for this newsletter! Can’t wait!!

🎉 COVER REVEAL! 🎉

THE TRUE COST OF WOOL, by @longwayhomestead.bsky.social, is ready to show its face! This groundbreaking investigation into Canada's wool supply chain reveals how 90% of our wool is shipped overseas while ~95% of craft yarn is imported, according to the most recent available data.

A red tag reading, "SOLD to very nice people," hangs from the rearview mirror of a car.

Today I will work on 2nd round edits of @longwayhomestead.bsky.social's book about the supply chain of Canadian wool, speak on the record with an old friend writing for a US-based trade publication about tariffs, and contemplate the timing of having bought a used car yesterday of all days 🤨

Btw we're already at ✨50%✨ of our pre-orders goal! Help us get over the line to fully financing production of THE TRUE COST OF WOOL, by @longwayhomestead.bsky.social 👉 shop.ninetenpublications.ca/products/the...

I wrote a policy paper on how wool pellets could revolutionize the value of wool in Canada.

www.longwayhomestead.com/revaluing-ma...

The True Cost of Wool, by Anna Hunter 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 Canadia

We're already over 25% of the way to our pre-orders goal for THE TRUE COST OF WOOL, by @longwayhomestead.bsky.social, coming in May 🎉

Get 10% off early-bird pre-orders for a limited time 🏃‍♀️

Reaching our goal will cover the entire cost of printing the book here in Canada on 100% recycled paper 🙏📄🇨🇦

Im planning a West coast BC trip for speaking/teaching. I’m looking to fill up my teaching schedule with at least 2-4 more guilds/LYS or fibre based groups.

A list of my workshops/lectures is on my website. But let me know if your group may be interested.

www.longwayhomestead.com/wool-public-...

Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game.

The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.

This is such an important distinction. As a farmer/wool mill owner. I really question if the dyeing/labelling/marketing is more transformation than wash-card-spin-ply.

Thanks Sara - gives us so much to think about!

Yes - they are great! Super familiar with topsy. I have a full list of sheep and wool and mills in Canada on my website.

www.longwayhomestead.com/canadian-woo...

How do we define “made in Canada” - in the context of wool yarn?

Is it “made” if it was dyed here? How about if it was only spun here but the growing of the wool - washing & carding happened elsewhere?

How much of the actual manufacturing has to be done here to be branded as “made in Canada”?

It’s Canadian Ag day - a big shout out to those doing the hard work of growing food and fibre.

And a reminder to all that clothing is agriculture. Did your clothes come from the soil? Or do they come from oil?

#cdnag #canadianagriculture #textileagriculture #canadianwool #certifiedcanadianwool

I’m really appreciating the focus on Cdn made yarn

Can we add to the discussion that most of the yarn we buy is dyed or distributed by cdn businesses but not grown by cdn farmers.

If we want to build a local fibre economy we need more infrastructure to process all the wool we grow here.