Interview & write up by Robert Joseph Sheckler
Nanne Kennedy, the 2026 STITCH keynote speaker and runway designer, is a pioneer of farm-grown fiber and bioregional fibercraft in Maine. While many yarn lovers today might be excited to find wool from local sheep, that was not always the case. When Nanne first started selling wool yarn from her Polwarth flock, most knitters were used to–and seemingly satisfied with synthetic yarns or those made with meat or carpet breeds that tend to be itchy. Apparel Breeds did not come to Maine until the 90’s. In fact, the first knitting patterns that Nanne developed were meant to help knitters understand how to work with her wool. Today, Nanne does not need to convince knitters to try her wool; it is coveted for its softness and the subtly variegated colors that are a product of the proprietary seawater dyeing process.
While a typical designer profile might focus on the clothes themselves or the design process of the maker, it’s clear from talking to Nanne that her creative story starts much further down the supply chain. When Nanne describes her work, the focus is less on the details of the dyeing or spinning and more on how she has developed and nurtured a web of relationships with the land and soil, the animals, and everybody who touches the wool on its journey from sheep to sweater. Seacolors yarns, and the beautiful sweaters and blankets made from it, are truly local products, with every step of the process happening within a bio-regional 5 hour radius of the farm.
At STITCH, Nanne will show a selection of her hand-knit sweaters on the runway, and the Seacolors booth will stock yarn, blankets, sweaters, and a selection of smaller items including hats, mittens, and baby socks. All of these pieces start with wool from Nanne’s 200-strong Polwarth flock, which is custom spun into a light worsted weight yarn with a high twist, adding durability and making many of the sweaters machine washable. The real headline, though, is the sumptuous softness of the wool. Nanne’s flock is special, with fine fibers in the cashmere range so the wool never itches. The solar dyeing process uses seawater and food-grade dyes and mordants, which preserve the wool’s soft hand. With age and proper care, says Nanne, Seacolors yarns and sweaters will bloom and soften even more.
Off the runway, Nanne continues to build relationships and help create more sustainable systems in the region. One on-going project is the Small Ruminant Residency at Meadowcroft farm, which offers a year-long opportunity to learn sheep and fine wool production with Nanne. More recently, Nanne has started using a linen warp for her blankets and is looking for opportunities to introduce wider flax cultivation and linen production in Maine. Flax could be an ideal crop for PFAS-contaminated land, says Nanne, because it is a hardy crop and will even help purify the soil over time. With such a rich history and exciting present at Seacolors Yarnery, we’re all so excited to hear Nanne’s keynote address at STITCH. After the runway show, Nanne will be available for questions and conversation about sheep, wool, yarn, and everything in between.
Please join Nanne Kennedy and Seacolors Yarnery on the STITCH Runway and Style Market on Thursday, June 4th!