SHOP THE FARM STORE
The best way to see what we’ve got is to make an appointment to come by, but I can give you a rough idea of what is currently available. You can tell I’d never make it on Etsy because my picture-taking skills are just awful, but I’m a darn good spinner, an adventurous dyer and I knit up some pretty funky stuff.
The Radish Hat
I’ve decided to create a hat pattern every year to celebrate something that grew in the gardens. This year, it’s the Radish. The little woolen topper is a cross between a beret and a stocking cap. I like them because they cover your ears, but don’t suffocate your skull. And I like the sassy little root that sticks up from the top of your head. Most of these are currently featured in a gallery show at Mineral Point’s Green Lantern Studio, but I’ve got a few here, and I can make some more in custom colors. All are knit from hand-spun, hand-dyed yarns from my farm. Unlike most commercial wools, mine is buttery-soft because of the breed I raise and because it is very minimally processed with no harsh chemicals or bleaches. I can also make some in the all-natural colors I’ve got in sheep. Cost is between $30 and $50, depending on size.
This is how they look from the back.
Vegetable-Dyed Silk Scarves
I confess I didn’t come up with the idea myself. I saw scarves like these in a little boutique in Blanchardville, River Valley Trading Company, and I thought it would be fun to try them myself, and enjoy the fruits of the gardens all winter long. Previously, I’d been down on natural dyeing. It sounds crazy, but dyeing with plants can be a toxic waste nightmare. The problem is the “mordant” that encourages the fabric to be receptive to the pigments in the plants. I took one class on “natural” dyeing of wool, and thought the plant powders themselves seemed pretty innocuous, but the mordants were definitely bad news: heavy metals like tin and copper that I couldn’t stand to smell, let alone rinse into my septic system. However, I did some research and found that you can get some pretty cool, though subtle, results using the same Alum powder employed in pickle-making. On silk, subtle is good, and I love the way these turned out! Among the dyestuffs I used: red cabbage, Swiss chard, beets, onions, asparagus fronds, marigolds, purple coneflower, turmeric, tea, juniper berries and mums. I’m starting a list of everything that will have an effect using just Alum, and I’m looking forward to the next growing season to experiment further. These come in all different sizes, from a simple handkerchief to a typical scarf to a wide shawl. Prices from $20 to $60.
Pictures can’t show the marvelous shine.
Hand-Spun, Hand-Dyed Wool and Mohair Yarns
If you’ve got a special project to knit, an heirloom sweater or a scarf for a gift, may I suggest that nothing is more durable and unique than hand-spun fibers? While commercial yarns are a lot more affordable, a hand-spun is a splurge you won’t regret. Nothing looks or feels quite like it, and you can custom-design the colors, weight and thickness. Consider a skein or two as a dynamite gift for the knitter in your life. Or for yourself! Priced from $7 to $8.50 an ounce, depending on blend.
Bulky Pink Wool/Mohair, 4.1 oz, $28.70; Blue Green Wool, 28 yds, $8
Hand-Painted Locally-Milled Wool Yarn
For a more affordable, yet still unique, knitting experience, I’ve hand-painted several weights of locally milled yarns. These blended rainbows are wonderful for socks and sweaters. Price is $6/ounce.
Recycled Wool Purses
Before I had sheep of my own, I indulged my natural-fiber obsession by buying up wool sweaters at thrift stores to un-ravel for knitting. Some were too cool to rip apart, and I began felting them and hand-stitching them into purses. I still make a few now and then. I especially like to do custom orders for related mom-and-daughter or sister sets. These are currently available for purchase:
Chick Satchel: Recycled Sweater, hand-stitched and embroidered, $40
Recycled Sweaters with Needle Felted Flowers: Purse $50, Cell Phone Cozy $20
Needle-Felted Flower Purse $45, Felted Fur Little Bag $35
Felted Wool Bangles
These one-of-a-kind bracelets are made entirely of my wool, felted up into soft, bold-colored bracelets that are great stacked up together. A great gift for someone with funky taste in jewelry, and a nice unbreakable bangle for a child. Many colors available, from loud primaries to muted naturals. $10
Woolcraft Classes
A really special treat for a fiber enthusiast is a gift certificate for a class here at the farm. We offer spinning, felting, dyeing, knitting, wool prep and beginning shepherding courses for all levels of experience and every age group. Prices start at $20/hour, with discounts for multiple students.
Give us a call to see what we have or to custom order: 608-523-4341.
