Julie Brown of Hancock brings her talents to Living Local Art Fair

A selection of hats by knitter Julie Brown. 

A selection of hats by knitter Julie Brown.  COURTESY PHOTO JULIE BROWN 

Knitted hats by Julie Brown of Hancock. 

Knitted hats by Julie Brown of Hancock.  COURTESY PHOTO BY JULIE BROWN

A detail of sheep on one of Julie Brown’s hats. 

A detail of sheep on one of Julie Brown’s hats.  COURTESY PHOTO JULIE BROWN

An ocean theme mosaic by artist and knitter Julie Brown. 

An ocean theme mosaic by artist and knitter Julie Brown.  COURTESY PHOTO BY JULIE BROWN

Art by raptor scientist, artist and knitter Julie Brown of Hancock. 

Art by raptor scientist, artist and knitter Julie Brown of Hancock.  COURTESY PHOTO BY JULIE BROWN

Knitter and artist Julie Brown of Hancock will be featured on display at Living Local Art Fair on Saturday at Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church.

Knitter and artist Julie Brown of Hancock will be featured on display at Living Local Art Fair on Saturday at Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church. COURTESY PHOTO BY JULIE BROWN

Julie Brown modeling one of her hats with an avian friend. 

Julie Brown modeling one of her hats with an avian friend.  COURTESY PHOTO BY PHIL BROWN

By JESSECA TIMMONS

Monadnock Ledger Transcript

Published: 11-27-2024 12:04 PM

Knitter, artist, scientist and storyteller Julie Brown of Hancock will be one of the featured artists at the Living Local Art Fair Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St., Peterborough, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Brown, a raptor migration biologist by day, is the founder of Narwhal Knits and is known for her colorful handmade hats, fingerless gloves, cowls and tiny felted acorns.

“There are hundreds of my hats throughout the region; they sell really well. It is really fun to see them out and about,” Brown said.

Brown says her most-popular item is a hat adapted from a Peace Fleece Baltic-style pattern.

“People are always asking for that hat and that pattern. I knit with a lot of really bright colors and people really love it,” she said.

Brown uses local raw wool and does her own spinning and dyeing.

“I am drawn to a lot of local yarn companies. If I am not dyeing my own yarn, I support local yarn companies. I really like Harrisville Designs and Green Mountain Spinnery in Putney,” she said. “I don’t have my own sheep yet, but it is on my list.”

Brown, a fiber artist for more than 25 years, said knitting is a family tradition.

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“My mom taught me to knit when I was in college. She was a wonderful knitter, and my aunts were great knitters,” Brown said. “Knitting is kind of therapy; it really makes you just be in the moment. If I go a few days without knitting, I feel stressed.”

Originally from Scituate, Mass., Brown came to the Monadnock region to attend Antioch University New England in Keene, where she earned a master’s in conservation ecology. She and her husband Phil, former caretakers of the cabin at Willard Pond, have two young children.

When she’s not counting raptors, spending time with her family or knitting, Brown is honing her storytelling skills.

“I got to have my first turn on The Moth recently,” Brown said.

She credits her friend and neighbor, Tricia Rose Burt, for mentoring her in storytelling.

Brown also creates colorful, nature-themed wall mosaics for public spaces, including elementary schools. She recently completed a mosaic at Wheelock School in Keene and has done murals at Nelson Elementary School and Hancock Elementary School.

“I’m hoping to do one mosaic a year,” Brown said.

Her hats, felting and other knitted goods are available on her Etsy shop, which she typically opens after the holidays.

“It’s hard to keep up with the demand,” she said. “I only have the shop open for part of the year, usually after the holidays – otherwise it’s just too much to keep up with.”

Brown donates her hats to charitable auctions and events throughout the year, including The Grapevine auction. She has been part of the Living Local craft fair, organized by Roz Hanchett, founder of Robin’s Nest Preschool, since her children attended Robin’s Nest.

“The Living Local fair is just perfect, it’s such a beautiful array of artists, and Roz does an amazing job,” she said. “This is my big fair for the year; a lot of what I knit throughout the year will be at this event. I knit all year long, and this is the only fair I do.”

For information about the Living Local Craft Fair, go to facebook.com/events/25-main-st-peterborough-nh-03458-2447-united-states/living-local-art-fair/536085289360091.