Cabin Boy Knits is a Natural Yarn Dyeing company located in a pre-confederation log cabin in Stirling Ontario. The Company is run by Christopher Walker and Jamie Godin.
Christopher, is a fibre artist and natural yarn dyer. His art work has appeared in galleries in Toronto and Prince Edward County. Christopher, has taught knitting and yarn dyeing at Festivals in Europe and throughout North America. When Christopher is not dyeing yarn, you can find him foraging in the forest or in roadside ditches.
Jamie is the other half of Cabin Boy Knits and is a proud Metis. He has had a successful career as a model and has spent many hours on-set for television and film. His writing experience as a newspaper reporter is put to good use managing the communication for Cabin Boy Knits. Jamie also plays a key role in the dyeing process and has recently taken up knitting. He completed his first sweater in 2021.
Cabin Boy Knits has a popular Youtube channel which was recently listed by Feedspot as one of the top 60 knitting youtube channels in the world. They have clients located throughout the world and have recently started distributing their yarn in local yarn shops.
Contact:
Stirling, Ontario
[email protected]
cabinboyknits.com
Lecture/Presentation – Early, Indigenous and European Naturally Dye Practices in Canada
If you have ever watched Cabin Boy Knits’ Youtube woolcast, you will know exactly what you’re in for…a great time with Christopher and Jamie. The many wonders of the Fibre World along with histories, sheep and travel diaries come to life through the fun loving journey of this dynamic duo. Join us as they discuss the natural dye secrets from the earliest times of the Indidgenous peoples of Canada and the first European settlers. Jamie taps into his Indigenous roots to challenge the practices of the historical botanicals such as Bloodroot, Mountain and Red Alder, Sumac, Black Walnut used then and now in natural dying.
Christopher delves into the different historical recipes used for centuries and brought over by the first Europeans who adapted using both local and imported plants. Their tightly guarded secret compounds, mordants and techniques replicated in Canada and by Cabin Boy Knits. While these historical recipes are cherished, Cabin Boy Knits has adapted some to be more eco-friendly. Let the boys lead you through a fascinating Natural Dye history from Medieval times and beyond to their current practices today. Get a surprising glimpse at finding these plants and botanicals in your own back yard, local fields, roadside ditches and a walk through the woodlands. Informative, entertaining and sure to be a good time are definitely on the agenda!