knitting

Hidden Valley Farm & Woolen Mill

Shepherd's HarvestLeave a comment

I travel all around Northeast Wisconsin for work and if I get some spare time while on the road, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit a yarn store. In this case, a woolen mill and yarn store. Hidden Valley is true to its title – there’s just a small sign on the side of the road indicating you’re there.

I just happened to arrive on a day when the staff was at a wool festival and took just about every skein of yarn. This did save me some money, but I was disappointed.  The farm has several pastures for the sheep to roam and they sell meat and yarn from their two story barn. Their mill includes this machine from the early 1900’s – it is still running and spins their yarn.

Although I didn’t get to make any purchases, these hides were impressive to touch.  

My drive home was gorgeous. The storm blew over and I got to enjoy the landscape.

Overall, a really great day.

Shale Baby Blanket

Shepherd's HarvestLeave a comment

Knitting is synonymous with giving.

It’s one of the reasons I wanted to learn how to knit – so I could hand make gifts for people I love. I have knit two other baby blankets and each one took so. much. time. I am urgent by nature so detailed, large projects aren’t really my thing. However, when a special baby is on the way, a little hat and blanket seem like the right gifts to give.

The Shale Baby Blanket pattern is from Brooklyn Tweed.

I recently got to enjoy knitting off of a dock over our local river on a sunny day. Trying to soak up all the remaining days of summer!

Project Details: I’m using a worsted weight washable yarn (Berocco Vintage, dove) with size 8 US needles. There is a three stitch garter border and a beautiful scalloped wave to the bottom edges of the blanket with a 20 stitch repeat. I’m about a quarter of the way done and the baby’s due date is December 18th so I feel like I’m making good timing. I would definitely recommend this pattern to anyone looking for a lace blanket that is somewhat challenging at first, then easy to memorize and flow while watching Netflix or listening to Audible 🙂   …some of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day.