Are you ready to explore animal fibre (sheep, llama, alpaca, goat, and rabbit) in the Vancouver Island Fibreshed? Drawing inspiration from something similar in the US, we are launching a program focused on specific breeds that are farmed in our local communities, and which are listed within the Fibreshed’s Producer’s Directory (https://vancouverislandfibreshed.ca/producers-directory/ ).
How will it work?
The Fibreshed will be ordering printed passports with pages for each of the different local breeds. Farmers (or fibre providers) will be issued stickers that will be used to document purchases of a minimum of 100 grams of fibre from purebred animals. Consumers who acquire the fibre will get signed stickers from the farmer/fibre provider that they put on the page in the passport of the breed to certify their purchase.
For the consumer, the goal is to learn about what is available within our Fibreshed and to try different breed fibres. You would buy raw fibre or fibre which has been processed (scoured, carded or combed, spun, yarn, etc), but then you are asked to take it at least one step further. For example, you would take raw to scoured, combed/carded to spun, etc. We’d love you to share photos to social media or our email and we’ll share them in the project’s quarterly newsletter. We’re also exploring ideas on how to celebrate your hard work.
Will there be a cost? Probably $20 (covers printed passport and postage and project production costs)
How do I join the passport program? Sign up through THIS FORM, submit your fee via e-transfer or cheque, and we’ll send you a passport in the mail! Passports will also be available at various in-person fibre events around the Islands in spring/summer 2026. You can also find passports at our VIFibreshed retail partners. As of May 2026, passports are available at The Beehive Wool Shop and Knotty By Nature in Victoria and at Tin Can Pottery Shop in Campbell River.
How do I share my work? Social media hashtags , email to info@vancouverislandfibreshed.ca; share in quarterly newsletter. Share in Vancouver Island Fibreshed Community group on Facebook. Instagram use hashtags #islandsfibre
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
Unlisted breed? I’ve found a breed that’s not in the booklet. What can I do? Is the farmer/producer part of the passport program? They can provide a sticker and hand-write in the breed name. You can print extra “additional breeds” pages from xxx link here xxx to staple into your booklet.
I’ve found a breed that I’d like to work with, but the farmer isn’t listed in the Vancouver Island Producers Directory yet and/or doesn’t have stickers. What do I do? Direct the farmer to our project webpage where they can sign up as a producer and request stickers.
I’ve found a breed but the farmer only has raw (unwashed) whole fleeces for sale and that’s not how I’m used to working with fibre! Each producer can choose what products to sell, and many of our island farmers do not process their wool/fibre and sell only as whole fleeces. You could get together with friends in the passport program and purchase a whole fleece to split between the group (ask the farmer for enough stickers for your group). Or seek out an Island fibre broker (Jill’s Fibres, Copperspoon, New Wave Fibre, etc) – the brokers may have purchased fleeces to split or to process.
Coming Soon:
Downloadables section: Breed study sheets, extra booklet pages