Behind the Scenes at Far Ritual Studio: Winter Work, Wool, and What’s Coming Next

This fall has been a busy season at Far Ritual Studio. As the days grew colder here in New Brunswick, I found myself deep in the rhythm of wool, stitches, and creativity, bringing together a new collection of handmade crochet winter wear. Every hat, mitt, cowl, and cozy accessory has been crafted stitch by stitch, often late into the evenings while I worked to meet my personal goal of keeping everything warm, meaningful, and truly handmade.

The Time It Takes to Make Something Real

One thing I’ve leaned into this season is honoring the process—the actual time it takes to create something from nothing but yarn and imagination. A pair of textured Mandala Mitts, for example, may look small, but they can take hours as I build the circular rounds, choose colors, and work the tactile stitches. The Tree of Life Cowls require intense focus and careful counting. Even the Brunswick Cap, simple in its beauty, needs attention to shaping, texture, and the right drape.

There’s something deeply grounding in the slow, steady craft of crochet. It’s a reminder that handmade takes time, and that time is part of the value—part of the story—woven into each piece.

Pricing Handmade Work with Honesty

Pricing handmade items is always delicate. There’s the cost of materials, of course, but also the hours of labor, the skill involved, the photography, the listing process, and the value of producing something truly unique. After spending this winter immersed in my work, I’ve become even more committed to pricing items fairly—not just for you as a customer, but for myself as an artist. I want to continue creating winter wear that feels accessible, while still honoring the craftsmanship that goes into every stitch.

Local Wool, Natural Materials

Every piece of winter wear at Far Ritual Studio is made from 100% pure wool sourced from Briggs & Little, right here in New Brunswick, Canada. Supporting local, heritage wool production is important to me—not only for sustainability, but for the connection it brings to home, tradition, and place. This wool has warmth like no other and carries the rustic charm my winter pieces are known for.

The Color Sourcing Challenge

This season brought a new challenge: color availability. My local yarn shop has been selling out of certain shades faster than expected, and Briggs & Little has had fluctuating restocks. As a result, offering custom colors simply hasn’t been possible in most cases.

However, if you have your heart set on a custom piece, please reach out to me directly. I will do my best to source the nearest available shade, and if we can make it work, I’ll create a custom order page just for you. I love collaborating with customers when possible—it’s part of what makes handmade work so meaningful.

The (Very Cold!) Photoshoot

One of the most memorable moments this season was my recent photoshoot down by the stream on my property. It was freezing—the kind of cold where your breath hangs heavy and your fingers protest every camera adjustment. But there was also something magical about photographing my work in the environment that inspires so much of it. The mossy rocks, flowing water, and autumn woods felt like the perfect backdrop for these rustic, nature-rooted pieces. Using my own land for the photos made it all feel incredibly personal and special.

Looking Ahead: Summer Wear & Festival Tops

As winter slowly loosens its grip, I’m already planning my shift into summer wear, especially my true passion—custom crochet festival tops. I’m a little bit behind schedule (winter had a lot to say this year!), but I promise the upcoming designs will be well worth the wait. There is nothing I love more than infusing freedom, color, and creative energy into summer pieces, and I can’t wait to bring them to life.

Thank You for Supporting Slow, Handmade Craft

Every comment, every purchase, every kind message truly fuels this studio. Thank you for supporting small, local, slow-made art—and for being part of the story behind every piece.

Stay warm, stay cozy, and stay tuned. Beautiful things are coming.

— Far Ritual Studio