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2-28-26 Bellwether Bulletin
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The Bellwether Bulletin 
Weekly Fiber News ~ Patterns ~ History & Lore
February 28, 2026
📰 The Fiber Feed: Top News
The Dakota Linen Revival: With goals to build a domestic supply chain in the U.S. for linen, an ambitious project in North Dakota is working to bring fiber flax back to the American Midwest BY reviving a historic regional crop. Dakota Linen Co. founder Spencer Marchand said he wants to bring back the taller fiber varieties of flax that were once grown in North Dakota 150 years ago. He said, “The longer the fiber, the more valuable it is. Getting that height is really important.” Dakota Linen Co. is partnering with farmers and planning a processing mill expected to be completed by 2028. | Read more at Farm Progress


Protecting the Flock: New research supported by Australian Wool Innovation aims to develop non-chemical options to reduce sheep flystrike, a condition with potentially fatal outcomes. It happens when parasitic flies lay eggs on the animal and the maggots then feed on the sheep’s flesh. Researchers are studying why some individual animals are more attractive to blowflies than others, with the goal of identifying practical prevention strategies. | Read more at Wool.com


2026 Trends Emphasize Texture, Bold Colors and Nostalgia: Market forecasts suggest a surge in vintage pieces with a modern edge, like granny square vests over smooth bodysuits. Personalized style is also playing a big role in craft fashion, along with textures, 3D florals and vibrant colors in a distinct move away from neutrals. | Read more at Lantern Moon

🐑 Fiber Animal Feature
Bluefaced Leicester: The UK’s classic “luster longwool,” this breed is known for its distinctive blue face and silky, curly locks. Its naturally lustrous fiber (24–28 microns) is both durable and next-to-skin soft AND takes dye beautifully. The wool is prized for long-lasting garments like socks, sweaters and shawls. | Read more at Black Squirrel Yarns
🧶 From the Studio:

This Popcorn Heart Granny Square is free for you, dear reader, to download.
Get the Pattern
🗓️ Worldwide Fiber Events in March 2026
Spring has sprung, sheep are getting sheared, and retailers are debuting collections. After the quiet of winter, the fiber world is buzzing with — you guessed it — yarn crawls and major industry events. Here’s a quick look at the major events happening around the globe:

Rose City Yarn Crawl, Portland, Oregon, USA
March 5–8
Going 17 years strong, this major Pacific Northwest yarn crawl features independent yarn shops, exclusive colorways, trunk shows, and community events. | Read more


JEC World, Paris, France
March 10–12
The leading global composites show highlighting advanced and high-performance fibers used in aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. | Read more


Yarn Expo Spring, Shanghai, China
March 11–13
A major Asian sourcing platform featuring hundreds of exhibitors focused on sustainable, regenerated and functional fibers at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. | Read more


Knit North Yarn Crawl, Massachusetts North Shore, USA
March 12–15
A multi-shop yarn crawl highlighting independent yarn stores across Massachusetts’ North Shore region. | Read more


Carolina FiberFest, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
March 13–14
 A large regional festival celebrating Appalachian and modern fiber arts with vendors, workshops and demonstrations. | Read more


Bay Area Yarn Crawl, San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
March 13–22
A ten-day regional yarn crawl connecting local shops through special events, prizes and exclusive patterns. | Read more


h+h cologne, Cologne, Germany
March 20–22
The premier international trade fair for handicrafts, knitting, crochet and hobby supplies connecting yarn brands, designers and retailers worldwide. | Read more 


International Festival of Textile Crafts, Bolzano, Italy
March 20–22
A European gathering focused on textile art, heritage craft techniques and contemporary fiber design held at Maretsch Castle. | Read more


International Istanbul Yarn Fair, Istanbul, Turkey
March 26–28
Regarded as THE world’s largest yarn industry trade fair, this event brings together global manufacturers of cotton, wool, synthetic and specialty yarns. | Read more


Knit City Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
March 27–29
One of Canada’s largest knitting festivals featuring workshops, designers, fiber farmers, indie yarn dyers and a curated fiber marketplace. | Read more


Spring Fiber Expo, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
March 28–29
A Midwest indoor fiber festival featuring fleece sales, vendors, tools and educational programming. | Read more
📜 Heritage & Lore
A dose of fiber history
Long before the Industrial Revolution, Britain’s wool was already prized across the Roman Empire. Classical writers described the island’s thriving textile production, and wool exports helped anchor Britain’s early economy. By the reign of Elizabeth I, wool had become England’s economic engine — generating much of the Crown’s tax revenue and earning its reputation as the nation’s original “golden fleece.”

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