Garments tell stories long before they are first worn. For Jillian Barvir, creator and designer behind Marty Lynn, every piece begins with a connection to the land, the farmers who steward it, and the natural fibres that make it possible. 

Marty Lynn is a Canadian made-to-order knitwear brand rooted in thoughtful design, local fibre, and a sustainable approach to clothing. Named after Jillian’s mother, the brand has a deep connection to nature.  

Sourcing From The Farm

Jillian’s appreciation for farming began long before Marty Lynn. 

After university, she apprenticed on several small-scale organic farms, where she developed a deep respect for the role farmers play in caring for the land, strengthening communities, and connecting people to place. Although she once imagined a future in farming, those experiences eventually led her toward a unique path: supporting Canadian agriculture through fibre. 

Today, Jillian works directly with Canadian farmers across Alberta and the Prairies to source wool for her garments working with one of the only natural textile materials available in Canada at scale. Through her work and her involvement with The Canadian Wool Collective, she helps promote wool as a valuable, renewable resource. 

For Jillian, local sourcing is about more than traceability. It’s about supporting rural livelihoods, strengthening local textile systems, and maintaining meaningful relationships with the people in each step of the process.  

From Fleece to Finished garment

After the sheep are shorn, usually in the spring, the Canadian farmers Jillian works with send their fleeces to one of the few local mills, often Custom Woolen Mills north of Calgary, to be turned into yarn. When farms are nearby, Jillian attends shearing day and helps skirt the fleeces, removing as much dirt and debris as possible before the wool is sent for processing. 

Several months later, she either drives to the mill to pick up the yarn or visits the farm, shares coffee with the farmer, packs her car full of yarn, and heads home. When an order comes in, she winds the yarn into balls, knits the garment panels on her flatbed manual knitting machine or hand-crochets the piece, then finishes it by hand. Each garment is washed with Eucalan, blocked, and shipped. Grown in Canada, milled in Canada, and made in Canada. 

WHY MADE-to-order matters

Every Marty Lynn garment is made only after it has been ordered. 

In contrast to traditional fashion production, where inventory is manufactured months in advance and unsold garments often become waste, the made-to-order model ensures each piece is created with a purpose and a home already waiting for it. 

For Jillian, this approach aligns naturally with her values. It reduces overproduction, minimizes waste, and encourages people to think differently about the clothing they purchase. 

“When a sweater is made specifically for someone, they are less likely to view it as disposable, and more likely to love and cherish it for many years to come. It’s about being mindful of the lifecycle of what we consume and how that impacts the world around us.” - Jillian Barvir 

 

The Beauty of Natural Fibre 

Natural wool sits at the centre of everything Marty Lynn. 

Particularly drawn to undyed wool, Jillian appreciates both its timeless palette and its environmental benefits. The natural shades found within Canadian flocks, from creamy whites and soft greys to warm browns, offer a beauty that requires little intervention. 

By choosing undyed fibre, she supports farmers raising heritage breeds with naturally diverse fleece colours while avoiding the resource-intensive processes associated with conventional dyeing. 

The result is knitwear that honours the fibre itself, and remains deeply connected to the landscape from which it came. 

Rituals of care

Just as care is woven into the making process, it is also present in how Jillian maintains her own knitwear. She embraces simple seasonal rituals that help garments stay fresh while extending their lifespan. Depending on the time of year, that may mean hanging woollens outside in the sunshine or refreshing them with clean snow in winter. 

When deeper cleaning is needed, she hand washes her knits with Eucalan, gently rolls them in a towel, and lays them flat to dry. 

These practices reflect a broader philosophy: slowing down, caring for what we own, and creating space for everyday rituals that connect us to our clothing. 

We asked Jillian to share some advice for those just starting to make their own clothes: "Be mindful of the materials you’re using. Start with deadstock fabric, or unwind a sweater from the thrift store for yarn. Then when you feel like you’ve got a handle on things, read Rebecca Burgess’ Fibreshed, and you’ll understand why it’s important to source local fibre and what it can do for your community. Then check out The Canadian Wool Collective’s directory to find local fibre in your area. I promise you’ll cherish a garment made with wool farmed in your own community more than you will a garment made with yarn from Michaels."  

For Marty Lynn, sourcing from the farm, creating made-to-order garments, and embracing thoughtful care are all part of the same story, one rooted in craftsmanship, connection, and a deep respect for the natural world. 

Thank you, Jillian, for sharing your brand and approach to creation and care.

@martylynnstudio
martylynn.com