The Green, Wooly Mission of the Green Mountain Spinnery

Plus, Herding with Helicopters ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE The Green, Wooly Mission of the Green Mountain Spinnery Founded over 40 years ago to support the local wool economy and process yarn with environmentally responsible principles, The Green Mountain Spinnery's work has never been more timely. By: Sandi Rosner

In 1981, the Green Mountain Spinnery was founded in Putney, Vermont, with a lofty three-part goal: to create yarns of the highest quality, to help sustain regional sheep farming, and to develop environmentally sound ways to process natural fibers. Housed in a building that began life as a gas station and operating with vintage equipment, the Spinnery has stayed true to that original goal while becoming an integral part of the farm-to-fiber community. Continue Reading

Herding with Helicopters Blades whirring overhead, the author joins the daring rescue of some little lost sheep . . . twice. By: Linda N. Cortright

During the height of the Christmas mayhem a few years back, I received an email from David Wightman. I had met David on my first trip to New Zealand in 2007, when for three days we tootled about the South Island looking at sheep. I returned home in awe not only of the South Island but also the fact that the annual flock roundups (on average, 5,000–10,000 sheep) were now done with helicopters and not on horseback, as had been the tradition for more than a century. Continue Reading

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE Yarn Substitution: Fibers As every wise knitter knows, substituting yarns is about more than just getting gauge. You'll need to dig a little deeper to find a yarn that gives you the right blend of qualities, starting with the fiber. By: Karen Frisa

You've fallen in love with a pattern, but you need to find a substitute for the yarn. Maybe it's discontinued, or not available in your local yarn shop (LYS), or doesn't appeal to you for other reasons. Your challenge is to find a yarn that emulates the properties of the designer's yarn and is also appropriate for the project. Continue Reading

More Stories & Patterns You'll Love Explore your new digital source for knitting expertise, fiber stories, farm explorations, and more. Join us in exploring the world of natural fiber, must-knit designs, and the essential community of knitters.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE Celebrating Breed-Specific Yarns with Solitude Wool In northwestern Virginia, in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll find the home of Solitude Wool. Since 2006, this woman-owned company has been dedicated to promoting sheep of many breeds and supporting sustainable agriculture. Continue reading.

American-Made Merino Yarn on a Global Stage The story of how the wool of Imperial Stock Ranch and their Responsible Wool Standard partners takes the field at the Olympics. Continue reading.

Staying on a Fiber Farm Whether it's a swanky Airbnb on an alpaca ranch or an extended-stay work volunteer program, fiber farms around the world are waiting for you to join them. Continue reading.

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