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11.10.2002 :: Back to Basics
Recently, I 've become fascinated with yarns that are produced on a smaller scale. Maybe it's a reaction to the bulky, multi-colored, "hey look at me" yarns that seem to be everywhere. I think that the popular yarns are very pretty and knit up into beautiful, glamorous items, but my personal sense is that synthetic, glimmery, furry yarn is missing the spirit that I find in raw fleece and lanolin-rich hand-spun wool.
In response to this feeling, I've been exploring the net looking for sources which offer the more traditional wool yarns. I was surprised to see quite a diverse and interesting array of farms and shops that sell their own wool. I've sent away for color cards and am looking forward to see what I've found. (Yes, I do sniff the yarn to see if it smells like lanolin. mmmm, I like that smell!)
Allen Farm Sheep & Wool Company
Bartlettyarns
Beaverslide Dry Goods
Belle Vallee Wools
Black Water Abbey Yarns
Chester Farms
Cormo Sheep & Wool Farm
Crescent Moon Fiber Mill
Farm Mountain Sheep & Wool Co.
Farm Wool Shop
Fingerlakes Yarns
Harrisville Designs
Lismore Sheep Farm Wool Shop
Puddleduck Farm
Solidago Farm
Spring Beauty Farm
Thirteen Mile Lamb & Wool Company
Tongue River Farm
Thanks Roberta...I love Peace Fleece and just received a Philosopher's wool colour card.
Peace Fleece
Philosopher's Wool
I'd love to hear from anyone who's used any of these yarns or if you know of a place that I should add to my list.
Posted by Mary on 11.10.2002 AT 11:10 PM
Comments
I have used several of these yarns, including Bartlett, Beaverslide and Black Water Abbey. I've been very happy using all three. The Beaverslide yarn is very soft, so I probably wouldn't recommend it for stitch definition, but its a joy to knit with. (oh, and since she also sells wheat, the yarn actually smells like cinammon). Bartlett is a great yarn for the price. When I can afford it, the Black Water Abbey yarns have become my yarn of choice.
I'm going to check out some of the yarns you have listed that I haven't heard of (must... not... buy... more.... yarn)
Posted by: Cindy on 11.13.2002 AT 07:58 AM
I absolutely agree that there is nothing like handspun yarn. I got frustrated looking for a great yarn shop close to where I live, reasonably priced...Nothing!
So I learned to spin, hung out at local wool pools for great fleeces, made friends with a few farmers, and spin my own yarn, even just started a small company selling it! I teach knitting and could not find good beginner's projects, so I designed some myself. Having a great time. I like Peace Fleece as well. Good idea to support farmers!
Posted by: Kathleen on 11.27.2002 AT 05:49 PM
You might like Peace Fleece and Philosophers Wool too.
www.peacefleece.com
www.philosopherswool.com
Posted by: Roberta on 11.12.2002 AT 07:10 PM