Why We Work with Local Wool

At Makeloo Studio, our commitment to local wool isn't just a business decision – it's a story of passion, resilience, and a vision for a more sustainable textile future.

A Passion Dating Back to Childhood

Marcelo has been working with textiles since childhood, first mastering knitting and crochet, as he shared in a previous text. But it was in 2015 that his passion took on a new dimension when he began his mentorship with Pierre Charette - Piérôt, who taught him the ancestral art of spinning. It was a revelation: a deep connection formed with this age-old practice that transforms raw fibre into yarn.

An Interrupted Agricultural Journey, A Redirected Passion

For years, Marcelo lived his dream of combining textiles and agriculture. He raised rabbits since 2011 and Angora goats from 2015 to 2016, nurturing his desire to produce his own fibers to fuel his textile passion. This daily contact with animals and agriculture was an integral part of his identity.

When illness forced him to leave his farming operation in 2017, Marcelo had to rethink his approach. But rather than abandoning his values, he found a new way to stay connected to the agricultural world and his passion for fibres: by working directly with local sheep farmers.

The Birth of a Local Network

This is how the search for small sheep farmers in Lanaudière began. Piérôt introduced him to his first producer, Ferme Gladu, who specializes in Dorset sheep. This was the beginning of a growing network of partnerships with local farms.

Today, Marcelo sources from several farms in the region and from Or Québec for his spinning practice. Each fleece tells a story – that of a passionate farmer, a well-cared-for flock, and Quebec terroir.

Three Fundamental Pillars

Our commitment to local wool rests on three essential values:

Maintaining the connection with agriculture and animals – Even without being able to raise his own animals, Marcelo nurtures his passion for agriculture and his deep love of animals by collaborating with local breeders. Each meeting with a farmer, each farm visit, is a return to his roots.

Creating a circular and sustainable economy – Our vision goes far beyond simple textile production. We believe in a model where each actor in the chain – the breeder, the spinner, the artisan, the customer – participates in a virtuous cycle. By buying local, we support our farmers, reduce our ecological footprint, and preserve ancestral know-how.

Building a growing network – What began with one farm has transformed into a true network of partners. Over time, this collaborative vision continues to grow, weaving ever stronger ties between textile artisans and farmers in our region.

2022: The Launch of Our Brand

A decisive milestone marked our journey in 2022 with the launch of our own 100% Quebec wool brand. At that time, we were already collaborating with eight Quebec farms, a network that testified to our growing commitment to local textiles.

It was with immense pride that we presented our wool skeins at the Salon des Métiers d'Art du Québec - Plein Art, then in Montreal. The success was overwhelming, confirming that our vision resonated with an audience increasingly aware of the importance of supporting local products.

Recognition That Confirms Our Excellence

Since this launch, we have continued to stand out through the constant growth of our partnerships and our relentless quest for knowledge. Our rigorous work and our commitment to quality have earned us two prestigious certifications:

• Canadian Wool Cooperative – Recognition that attests to our expertise and the exceptional quality of our fibres
• Les Produits du Québec – A certification that proudly highlights our roots in Quebec terroir

These certifications aren't just logos: they represent years of research, learning, courage, and determination to offer a top-quality product, entirely from here.

More Than a Choice, A Philosophy

Working with local wool at Makeloo Studio means honouring a heritage while building a future. It's transforming an individual passion into a collective movement that values Quebec terroir, supports our farmers, and celebrates the beauty of natural fibres.

Each skein we spin carries this story: that of a passion that adapts, a community that weaves itself together, and a vision of a more human, more local, more sustainable textile industry.

To discover our local wool creations and learn more about our partner producers, visit our studio or follow us on social media.