About

Susie Gourlay

I live in the heart of the prairies in the province of Saskatchewan. Our winters are long, dark and very cold, which is why I spend most of my days trying to keep warm. I believe in using natural fibres and I am a big supporter of the wool industry.Wool is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It has a good memory, is naturally antibacterial, it is also breathable and fire retardant. Wool is perfection found in nature.

I am a handspinner, knitter, designer and wool judge. I specialize in handspun yarn and wool and design using the benefits of the particular fibre I am working with, to bring out its best qualities. The majority of my work is made using my handspun yarns and time-honored techniques. I really enjoy the processes and skills that go into making a project from fleece to finish. I find my work very rewarding and love to share the process with others.

I am a professional member of the Sask Craft Council, and belong to the Regina Weavers and Spinners Guild, the Saskatchewan Weaver and Spinners Guild, and Handmade Saskatchewan. I teach fibre arts classes at The Naked Sheep, Red Fox Creative and The Blue Rooster Studio.
I have knit for fashion designers Riley Lawson and Dean Renwick in 2013 & 2015 respectively.

Wool judging is what I love the most. I love to learn and each fleece is different. I like seeing rare breeds up close and see the excitement of people interested in wool during a wool show.

I am a big supporter of the wool industry and have built my business around the promotion and study of wool and sheep. I use education as a tool to motivate others about fibre arts and using my knowledge of sheep breeds, I design with those qualities in mind.

I am also one of the Team Leaders for Etsy SK and I work hard to promote makers and create a community in which they can strive.

I love that with fibre arts, broken down into its simplest terms is that it is just string, and using primitive tools and natural fibres, you can make anything you can imagine. There is a lot of physics and energy rolled in but you are putting a bit of your life and a lot of heart into everything you make.

The fibre arts communities in the prairies are growing at a boundless rate and sharing my experiences and knowledge with others is important to me. Not only to keep the traditions of the past alive but to also to help educate about the wonders of fibre, the wool industry and making new friends along the way.

I am also a supplier of Unicorn Power Scour products and Soak Wash

Professional Craftsperson

• Specializing in wool and handspun yarn
• Perfection Found in Nature Exhibit
• Co-creator of All Things Wool

Wool Judge

• Commercial and Artisan judging styles
• Judging certification through Olds College
• Judged hundreds of fleeces across all 3 prairie provinces

Designer

• Patterns available online & Ravelry
• Worked with Fashion Designers for Sask Fashion Week in 2013 & 2015
• Perfection Found in Nature

Instructor

Beginner & Advanced

• Spinning
• Knitting
• Crochet
• Wool Information

Shops that sell Knit Natural Yarn: