Kimberton Hills

Located on 432 acres of farm, gardens and woodlands in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Kimberton Hills is also a local center for culture and a model for sound ecological living.  Founded in 1972, Kimberton Hills is part of the international Camphill movement that provides programs and services for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

Working with the wool from local sheep we prepare and hand-spin yarn which we then knit or weave into a variety of articles or sell to other knitters and weavers. We dye much of our handspun yarn with natural plant dyes, growing and gathering dye plants is also part of our work.  These dyes also give the wonderful colors for our plant-dyed silk scarves. We use only non-toxic mordants.  Because we are working with natural components, our products vary seasonally.

Recycling and re-using natural fiber fabrics is also a major activity of the textile workshop.  Strong, all-cotton washable rugs are woven from strips of old blue jeans.  Wool, silk and cotton rags are also used in an expanding variety of products.

In the wood workshop, we make wooden utensils and other items using wood from non-endangered species of trees.  In keeping with our commitment to sustainable practices we are moving toward using only the wood of fallen trees from our own land.  Many items are completely handmade, others are cut using machines and then assembled and finished by hand.

Some of the items we currently produce include:

• woven rugs made with recycled fabric
• fleece rugs
• place mats and napkins
• woolen scarves, mufflers, and hooded capes
• silk scarves which we purchase and dye using natural plant derived dyes
• kitchen spoons, ladles, cutting boards and spatulas
• clocks, boxes, book stands, candle and card holders
• small toys dollhouses, doll cradles

Visit Camphill Village Kimberton Hills online at www.camphillkimberton.org