The Karoo Winter Wool Festival (KWWF) is one of South Africa’s most anticipated fiber events bringing together sheep farmers, yarn dyers, knitters, spinners, weavers, and makers from across the country. It is a celebration of wool and community in the breathtaking heart of South Africa. This past July, we hosted a Karoo Winter Wool Festival and Safari retreat that combined the best of the festival with curated cultural and fiber experiences, making it the perfect getaway for wool lovers.
Why the Karoo?
With its wide-open skies and golden plains, the Karoo is more than just a backdrop for this retreat—it’s the very soul of the experience. Known for its rich wool heritage, this semi-arid landscape has been home to generations of sheep farmers, spinners, and artisans whose craft is deeply rooted in the rhythm of the land since 1830. Visiting during this season in the southern hemisphere means crisp mornings, cozy evenings, and the warmth of wool as a natural companion. It was also a chance to experience a side of South Africa that is both rural and richly cultural while offering a meaningful connection to the land and people.
About the Festival
The KWWF showcases the entire wool journey—from the farm to finished garments—and celebrates the artisans and communities who keep these traditions alive. Our guests enjoyed:
- A vibrant marketplace with South African yarns, fibers, and handmade goods.
- Farm-to-fiber demonstrations, including sheep shearing and spinning.
- Talks and workshops by expert makers and designers.
- Meeting and connecting with local fiber producers.
Retreat Highlights
The retreat ensured that time in the Karoo went far beyond the festival itself. Our retreat blended the event’s highlights with unique cultural and creative experiences:
- Festival Access – Guided visits through the Karoo Winter Wool Festival with plenty of time to shop, learn, and explore.
- Exclusive Workshops – Private group knitting and fiber sessions led by talented local instructors.
- Community Connections – Met the people behind the wool: farmers, spinners, dyers, and weavers.
- Farm Tours – Guided Karoo farm veld walk with a rangeland ecologist. Discover the vital role of grasses, shrubs, and other plants in supporting sustainable farming.
- Safari Experience – Finished the retreat relaxing with our new wool projects at a Big Five safari lodge, where luxury met the wild. Twice-daily wildlife drives—at dawn and dusk—brought us face-to-face with lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo. (This was the same safari experience described in our Sustainable Mohair Workshop retreat highlights post.)
No matter the level of knitting or fiber knowledge, the guests found both learning opportunities and plenty of time to simply enjoy the rhythm of the Karoo.
A Journey of Wool and Wonder
The Threaded Journeys Karoo Winter Wool Festival and Safari retreat was more than a trip, it was a celebration of fiber, creativity, and community in one of South Africa’s most iconic landscapes. Whether the guests came for the yarn, the learning, or the friendships; they left with memories stitched into every skein they carried home.
Who Should Join Us Next Year
We are happy to announce that this retreat will be offered again next year and is designed for:
- Knitters and makers looking for fresh inspiration and new skills.
- Fiber enthusiasts eager to meet South African producers and experience the farm-to-fiber process firsthand.
- Travelers who enjoy immersive cultural experiences alongside their creative passions.
