Local Hero is a locally sourced, milled, and dyed yarn the colorways of which serve to celebrate living local heroes who serve the Asheville, NC local community through their commitment to justice, equality, and creativity. 25% of purchase price of each hero’s colorway goes to their community project.

Local Hero is a small-batch fingering weight yarn sourced from local fiber farms via Blue Ridge Fiberworks, an artisan cooperative located in Western North Carolina. The wool for Local Hero was sourced from the small flock of  Joe Smith who raises a Dorset cross sheep. Previous to this blend, Joe’s wool was unrecognized for its value. Helping Joe, and farmers like him, to gain income from their wool is the primary mission of Blue Ridge Fiberworks. The mohair for Local Hero is from Deb Clemens’ herd at Mountain Top Fibers. Frankie, Chief Executive Goat, hand selects the finest adult mohair for your sensory pleasure. Alpacadabra contributed the alpaca for Local Hero and is known for its “Barn to Yarn” classes where both young and old can interact with the animals and learn all about their fiber.

Local Hero was milled in Andrews, NC at Morning Star Fiber, a family-owned mill that moved from Ohio in 2015. Since then, mill owner “J.C.” (Jerry Christensen) has sought to connect small North Carolina fiber farms with quality milling services.

Local Hero was dyed by Elizabeth a.k.a. lizabee and Rik Schell a.k.a. purlinsebeard and nomatoo at Purl’s Yarn Emporium in Asheville, NC. This yarn is truly a localized treat. The first five colorways are named for the following living local heroes in Asheville, NC:

• Rev. Amy Cantrell of Beloved House
• Franzi Charen of Asheville Grown Business Alliance
• DeWayne Barton of Hood Huggers International
• Barbara Vassallo of Mountain Lady Farm
• Andrea Clarke, local documentarian and granddaughter of Vesper Miller.

Related patterns for Local Hero can be found bundled here. Patterns are available for $3 each on Ravelry with full price going to projects of local heroes honored by yarn. Patterns are free in brick & mortar store with purchase of Local Hero yarn.