2026 Rhinebeck Sweaters for Good
Because every sweater tells a story.
Why make your 2026 Rhinebeck sweater with local yarn?
Imagine what that could do for our region — every sweater directly supporting a farmer raising sheep, a shearer collecting the wool, and the scouring, carding, spinning, and dyeing operations that turn raw fleece into yarn.
Each skein would move through mills, local yarn shops, and dyers — keeping dollars circulating in our communities and ensuring these skills and businesses stay strong for the next generation.
That’s what Rhinebeck Sweaters for Good is all about — celebrating the beauty and impact of local fiber, and reminding makers that our choices matter.
Take the Sweaters for Good Pledge
Whether you joined us at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival or are just hearing about the campaign now, you can still be part of it.
Sign the Rhinebeck Sweaters for Good Pledge below and join a growing community of knitters, farmers, and makers choosing to knit local and wear it proud. You’ll also receive updates, stories from the field, and resources to help you find and use local yarns.
Tag us @hvtextileproject on Instagram and mention Sweaters for Good, so that we can reshare your project. Use hashtags #sweatersforgood and #rhinebecksweatersforgood. We’d love to hear about the local yarn you used.
Where can you find local yarns?
Looking to crochet, weave or knit your next project with local yarn sourced and milled in the Northeast?
Explore the work of our members — farmers, mills, and artisans building a regional fiber economy:
Visit the Local Yarn Guide to shop yarns produced in the Northeast by our HVTP members.
Browse the Membership Directory to connect with producers and makers.
Each stitch you make supports a web of people and places working to keep textile traditions alive in the Northeast.
Sweaters for Good in press and media
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Farm & Fiber Knits: The Power of a Locally Made Rhinebeck Sweater
“Every sweater [knit with local yarn] would directly support a farmer raising sheep, a shearer collecting the wool, and the scouring, carding, spinning, and dyeing operations that turn raw fleece into yarn. It would move through mills, local yarn shops, and indie dyers—keeping dollars circulating in our communities and ensuring that these skills and businesses remain strong for the next generation.”
—Mary Jeanne Packer, co-founder of the Huson Valley Textile Project -
Modern Daily Knitting: A Sweater for Good
Kay Gardiner wrote an article about her personal journey with Sweaters for Good, from taking the pledge at the 2025 Rhinebeck festival to choosing between knitting patterns and looking for the most suitable local farm yarn. Click on the link below to read the whole article.
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Knitting the Stash: Wool Matters!
HVTP’s Business Development and Operations Manager Shannon Zhang and Executive Director Mary Jeanne Packer recently spoke to Melissa Littlefield on the podcast @knittingthestash. They chatted about all things wool: why local wool matters, hopeful collaborations in the Northeast textile industry, our Rhinebeck sweater plans, and the Sweaters for Good Initiative.
Watch the whole episode on YouTube at @knittingthestash podcast.
Big thanks to Erika Field, who introduced us to Melissa. Erika and Melissa are co-hosting a summer/fall KAL, encouraging people to sign the pledge and knit Sweaters for Good for the Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, the Rhinebeck Festival, and in general. Follow Erika @grapefruitgardenia to learn more details soon.
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Knit Kind x Knitting on the Lake Podcast: Rhinebeck Sweaters for Good
Kelly (Knitting on the Lake) and Erika (Grapefruit & Gardenia and the Knit Kind podcast) invite you to come along on their 2026 Rhinebeck Sweaters for Good journey. In their first episode together they discuss choosing patterns, selecting yarn, next year’s New York Sheep & Wool featured breeds (Leicester Longwool, Bluefaced Leicester and Border Leicester) and knitting with intention.