Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond documents the knitting tradition of shepherds in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains. It is the culmination of three years of research, interviews, participant observation, and writing. Seven essays and thirteen patterns give the reader a glimpse of life in a High Atlas village and the important role knitting once played there. The book also explores the history of knitting in Morocco taking the reader backwards in time from Morocco, through Algeria, into Spain and Tunisia, and eventually Egypt, where historians believe knitting may have originated. Despite North Africa’s deep connection to knitting, very little has been written about this corner of the knitting world. Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond fills this gap by presenting what remains of an age old knitting tradition and examining the available historical and artifactual evidence – some of which has not been shared in knitting books before. Included in the book are patterns from High Atlas shepherds, contemporary designs inspired by the High Atlas, and others recreated from historical accounts and artifacts. This book brings to life a North African knitting tradition that has all but disappeared.
I am extremely grateful to the shepherds with whom I worked and hope this book fulfills their wish to pass on their knowledge to future generations. As requested by the shepherds, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to their village’s women’s co-operative, Cooperative Ibilou. Without the welcoming support and encouragement of Cooperative Ibilou’s members, I never would have met their husbands, fathers, uncles, and brothers who are the knitters of their village. The cooperative will use the funds for projects that will benefit the entire community.
Find This Book
(Update April 2026) This book is currently sold out! A very big “thank you” to everyone who purchased a copy. Your support makes my work possible and contributes to the community of Timloukine whose members were integral to the creation of this book. I am currently working to secure the image reproduction rights from museums in order to make a PDF version of the book. This will be available via my Etsy Shop and Ravelry page. Follow my blog (at bottom of page) or follow me on Instagram for updates.
This book was self-published in order to ensure that a portion of its sales went to Cooperative Ibilou as requested by the knitters who collaborated with me. If you are a publisher who is interested in working with us to make a second edition available, please contact me here.
I am very grateful to the following shops for carrying this book while it was available in print: Retrosaria Rosa Pomar , Retrosaria Serafina , Daughter of a Shepherd , Wild and Woolly , Ginger Twist Studio , and Wild Hand .
What People Are Saying
Rosa Pomar, Retrosaria Rosa Pomar, “There are knitting books and knitting books and if I had to choose one very special book from our shop I would choose this one. Maybe it’s because I love the history of knitting as much as knitting itself, maybe because I had the pleasure of meeting (Irene) during her research, maybe because Irene’s book reveals men knitting wool trousers using a new (to me and I bet for you too) way of carrying your yarn when working stripes.”
Rachel Atkinson, Daughter of a Shepherd, in reference to Hussein Mardi’s Tqasher Jadeed/New Socks pattern – “The pattern is designed to fit the individual foot and have to say, I think they’re the best fitting socks I’ve ever made!”
Paula Spranger, Retrosaria Serafina, “The book is even better than I thought. It’s so interesting to read and the patterns are wonderful.”
Jenny Dean, author of Wild Colour, “Beautiful and clearly the result of much painstaking research and experimentation. It’s the ideal combination of the practical and informative with plenty of background and historical detail.”
Erin Pirro, Morehouse Farm Merino, “Fantastic narrative of an amazing place and it’s rich wool craft traditions. I’ve gotten to experience just the basics first hand and am thrilled to have Irene take us behind the scenes. I cast on the Shabka/Trellis Socks as soon as the book arrived and am learning some amazing new techniques! It’s so freeing to have the directions result in a project that fits instead of just following and counting, following and hoping. I can’t wait to give a second copy to a dear friend. Thank you Irene – this isn’t just a story, it’s the heritage of our craft.”
Laura-Lee, Etsy Customer, “By any criteria, this book is top-drawer. It’s a wonderful ethnographic study; the photographs are worthy of an award all by themselves; the knitting patterns are interesting and clearly written. It would be of interest to anthropologists, knitters, and anyone who enjoys owning a beautiful book.”
Katherine, Etsy Customer, “Love this book! We live in Morocco at the moment and it is so fun to read the essays and learn about the cultural and historic aspect of the patterns. I have not seen any books like this. The pictures are beautiful. Can’t wait to try out the patterns. Should be a fun gift for anyone that loves textiles and crafting. Awesome job, Irene!”
Emily, Etsy Customer, “Wow. Blown away by this book and the care that went into making it, and how it honors the amazing humans who make up the book. Cannot wait to cast on some socks!! Thank you. This book will be a treasure to reference for generations to come.”
Interviews and Book Reviews
Long Thread Podcast, Season 10, Episode 10: Irene Waggener – Knitting Researcher
Knitting in High Places, by Anna Feldman of Wild and Woolly London
Book Review: Keepers of the Sheep, by Josefin Waltin
Articles Inspired by or Related to the Book
Knitting in Morocco: How One Village Keeps Its Wool Stories Alive, published by Farm & Fibre Knits on January 9, 2026
The Spinners of Timloukine: Handspun Rugs and Socks in the High Atlas Mountains, published in Spin Off Magazine, Spring 2024
Saharan Trade and Knitted Belts: Filling Gaps in the History of Knitting, published in Piecework Magazine, Spring 2022
Spinning in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, published in Ply Magazine, The Supported Spindle Issue, #29, Volume 8 – Issue 2, Summer 2020
106 Meters from the Road 