Entomology fashion subverts expectations and creates intrigue around the insect world. Shirts, sweaters, and accessories featuring arthropods not only draw attention, they start conversations. Local Critters for Local Knitters brings knitters and other fiber artists into the insect ecology around them. This project identifies locally owned yarn stores across the United States and pairs them with a local insect, which is then turned into a pattern for a hat or a cowl, and hosted for free in the store- with the stipulation that all patterns also contain a page of information about the included insect. Free patterns distributed to local yarn stores focused on native insects result in garments featuring these creatures. These patterns, combined with information on the insect, guides to local conservation initiatives, and recommendations for further reading allow the conversations begun from this garment to focus on regional ecology. Local yarn stores in this initiative are also connected with local entomologists, who give talks focused on native insect ecology at knitting circles, and provide a point of contact for community members.
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