Rachel Challoner
Rachel Challoner is a crofter and knitter living on Fair Isle, the UK's most remote inhabited island. Her croft is home to around 80 sheep, most of which are pure Shetlands. Rachel has the fleeces of her flock spun into wool, which sells and uses for her own knitting projects.
True to the island she lives on, most of Rachel's knitting takes the form of traditional Fair Isle garments and accessories, using historical patterns that have become known around the world. Rachel also uses knitting as a medium for creating one-off, artistic pieces, and has been fortunate to have her works exhibited in 'A Celebration of Textiles' as part of the 'NorthWord Storytagging Project'.
Rachel's Piece for Forgotten Fleece Tales
Rachel is displaying a new take on the traditional Fair Isle jumper, celebrating resourcefulness and sustainability through the iconic knitwear design. This one-of-a-kind jumper was made using leftover cone ends from Rachel's small knitting business. These small remnants of wool are too limited in quantity and varied in colour to be used in her usual Fair Isle designs, but here they have been incorporated into a piece that departs from uniform patterns, combining Fair Isle inspiration with a more varied and organic aesthetic.
The jumper uses raw fleece from Rachel's own sheep, repurposing wool that wasn’t suitable for sending to the mill. This fusion of finished and raw materials highlights the potential of what might otherwise be discarded, transforming scraps and offcuts into a striking statement about sustainable crafting.
Through this work, Rachel not only pays homage to the heritage of Fair Isle knitting but also challenges us to reconsider waste in textile crafting. Her playful yet thoughtful approach showcases how traditional skills can be used to promote a more mindful and sustainable relationship with materials.