The Story of Makeloo: From Île Dupas to the Canadian Wool Collective
A passion born in childhood, an accident that changed everything, and the meeting of two artisans. This is how Makeloo Studio became a benchmark for local wool in Quebec.
Before it was a studio, Makeloo was a childhood promise: that of a boy learning to knit and crochet alongside his great-grandmother, "Vo Pina." Years later, that thread never broke—it became the heart of a business.
Today, Makeloo Studio is a Quebec-based textile workshop that creates yarn balls from local, hand-dyed fibers, one recipe at a time. Our approach is summarized in three words: innovation, regionalism, and biodiversity.
Marcelo's Turning Point
Marcelo Martins' passion for spinning ignited in 2015, under the mentorship of Pierre Charette—"Piérot." But it was an accident in 2017 that reoriented everything. Plunged into chronic pain, Marcelo was prescribed hand spinning by his occupational therapist. What was meant to relieve his body became his calling.
As early as 2018, he launched the web series "Let's Talk About Fibers and Spinning," filling a void in French-language content on wool. The same year, the Centre des Arts Textiles des îles was born, to break isolation through art. In 2021, he taught spinning at Vogue Knitting Live.
Patrice, the Other Half of the Studio
Designer and co-founder, Patrice Blanchet comes from a completely different world: that of 2D animation and 3D cinematics, where he spent over 20 years. Today, he is the color engineer and designer for all Makeloo products. But his fascination with old circular knitting machines—awakened more than 25 years ago by "Julie's Socks"—never left him. Coming from a rural family, he carries within him a love for heritage and craftsmanship.
2022: The Birth of "De par chez-nous"
In 2022, Marcelo and Patrice united their worlds and founded the local wool brand "De par chez-nous." The launch at the Salon des Métiers d'art de Québec marked a real turning point: the artisan community took notice.
Recognition
In 2023, Makeloo won the Grand Prix Desjardins de la Culture in the Arts and Crafts category, and became a finalist in Heritage. In 2025, the studio was named "Public's Choice" by Québec Circulaire—the first company in Lanaudière to receive this distinction—participated in Barcelona Knits with an exclusive dye, and Marcelo joined the board of directors of the Canadian Wool Collective.
Art as a Driving Force
At Makeloo, contemporary art is a lever to promote Quebec wool. Each thread and each piece are works created with passion: we believe that art can beautify our lives and raise public awareness of the importance of preserving our textile heritage.
Reducing Our Footprint
We strive to reduce our ecological footprint at every step. By spinning locally, we limit transportation and support the circular economy—a choice that strengthens our ties with local communities and respects both health and the environment.
Much More Than Threads
Beyond balls of wool, Makeloo also offers training and team-building workshops, conferences and exhibitions, personalized textile art, and wool production consulting. Textile art as a tool for transmission and well-being.
Our Purpose
We work hand-in-hand with sheep producers across Quebec, valuing the diversity of breeds and fibers. Marcelo travels to farms to find the best fleeces, while Patrice shapes the colors and design of each product. Natural dyes based on citric acid, small batches, traceability: each skein carries a human story.
Together, we shape a world where craftsmanship, sustainability, and art combine to inspire and enchant.