Lace Cowl from Rainbow Yarn & Fibres - Day 4

Sheep on the ball…

With a two-ball project, there’s never any question when you reach half way.  The yarn balls do the counting for you.  Now I feel as if I’ve rounded the summit and heading back downhill toward the finish line.  And, most delightfully, the rows DON’T GET LONGER as I go!

What does happen, however, is that the thing seems to get softer.  The fiber has a wonderful, pillowy feel to it, and my hands can sense the lanolin still in the wool. It even looks sheep-colored.

Speaking of sheep, current culture seems to have a pair of them this week.  Nick Park fan that I am from the Wallace and Gromit Days, I will definitely go see the Shaun the Sheep Movie. Park is executive producer for this nearly dialogue-free movie. Park has a long history with stitchcraft: Gromit knits, and no knitter’s movie collection is ever complete without a copy of Chicken Run and its knitting hens.

Then there is this fellow.  Hiding in a cave to escape a hair cut?  Who knows, but my internet feed reported Australian rogue sheep “Chris” (Chris? Really?) was being given an emergency shearing earier this week.  The 88 pounds of wool shorn by a 5-man rescue team is being touted as both a world record and “lifesaving” for poor Chris.  I don’t imagine that fleece is any good after so much time in the wild—clearly none of the reporting newscasters I saw are knitters, or they’d have asked the question right away.  Speedy recovery, Chris.  Hope you’re not too chilly now down under.

Me?  I’ll just keep on going with my small, soft ball of yarn and my lace cowl.  The bind off won’t be long now…

As long as we’re on the subject of sheep, here’s a shot of me giving away my knitting novel The Doctor’s Undoing with the nice folks from Esther’s Place—more sheep—at Stitches Midwest.  My novella Bluegrass Easter featured a charming story taken directly from their flock, and we’ve been fiber friends ever since.

Zoom Loom Shelby Sheep Kit from The Woolery - Done!

Aw...baa...

It's adorable.  I know it's not knitting, and it's arts and crafts, and it fell soundly outside of most of my skill sets, but I love it anyway.

And it doesn't look anything like an insect.

A few onlookers raised eyebrows at the rainbow fleece, but I have to say I think it's the best part.  If God actually made rainbow fleeced sheep, I know I'd want one.

Thanks to this sheep from The Woolery in Frankfort, KY and its long-ago predecessor from Fancy Tiger in Denver CO, I know own a flock.  Granted, two isn't much of a flock, but I maintain my shepherdess and woolcrafter pride anyway.  Thanks, Woolery, for a fun and novel crafting adventure!

MORE MONROE, WI

"Feed my sheep..."

For someone who knits as much as I do, I don’t spend much time around sheep.  That all changed on my recent trip to Wisconsin.

After spending a lovely morning in Monroe, my husband and I drove out to a farm.  Along the way, Jocelyn of Orange Kitten Yarns had advised us to keep an eye out for barn quilts which are quilt squares painted onto the sides of barns. I’d never heard of this, and was delighted how it added to our driving experience.  It felt like an artistic grown-up scavenger hunt.

After a short drive, we arrived at 

Homestead Wool and Gift Farm

http://www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com/

Jim and Sandy Ryan were delighted to share their farm with us, telling us about the marvelous fibers Sandy makes.  No one was more excited when Sandy asked, “would you like to feed the sheep?” nor was anyone more surprised when Jim produced a box of Nabisco Nilla Wafers!  Evidently I have more things in common with sheep than I realized!

Wellies on (it was a muddy, muddy day!), we trudged out to where Sandy’s flocks of sheep, llamas, and dogs have their happy home.  One shake of a cookie box and we had company:

What a great, memorable experience.  I look at the yarn Sandy gave me to knit, and it has a special quality to it now.  I’ve seen the sheep.  I've shared cookies with them.  We’re connected.

I was surprised how distinct each sheep was.  In the short time I met them, it was easy to spot unique personalities.  There is something meaningful about a sheep’s eyes.  They look at you like they know great secrets.  I was unsettled to know how many of Sandy’s happy sheep are “rescue” sheep.  She’s good at her mission; they all look quite contented now to me.

Sheep get a bad rap for being “not too smart.”  Their emotional bonds--to owners, their offspring, and each other--shows that for the lie that it is.  Sheep form strong relationships and even have “best friends.”  Life has taught me that is the very best kind of smart, astute choice of snack foods aside.

Afterwards,  Sandy took us to her workroom to show us how fleece gets from sheep to needles.  I’ve tried very hard (and mostly succeeded) to keep out of the whole spinning thing, but that doesn’t squelch my appreciation for those who do.  Look at this carding drum!  Don’t you just yearn to touch all that artful fluffiness?

Sandy gave me three different yarns.  It’s not often I get to pick my own project, so I loved the opportunity to match these very different fibers with Ravelry searches for projects.  

First was a lush, chocolate brown in ungulating widths.  I decided not to relegate this to a purely winter project (it’s rather chunky), but to pair it with some creamy lace-weight for a squiggle lace shawl I could wear year round.

Then came a cheery hank of high-voltage green.  A Ravelry search for projects using 50g of yarn yielded a smart set of fingerless gloves.  This is perhaps one of Ravelry’s best features--you can wander through pictures of possibilities based on whatever yarn you’ve got.

And finally, two hanks of very sheepy art yarn, complete with curly-cues that feel like they’re right off a sheep’s back (but cleaner, of course).  While this would serve as a dramatic trim to just about anything, I’m going to knit them into a stunning scarf to keep those Chicago winds at bay.

While the farm is a charming place to visit, there is no shop here--you’ll need to catch up with the sheep’s fleecy output at local yarnshops like Orange Kitten or online.  If you find yourself driving near Monroe, however, look them up and tell them DestiKNITions sent you.  

Don’t forget to bring them some Nilla Wafers--you’ll make instant friends.

Next, we wander north to Verona and New Glarus.

MONROE, WI

Small town charm...

This was one of those years when I headed north and south in alternating waves.  It has made for some interesting comparisons in fiber culture.  While art is art no matter what the thermometer says, there’s just something about how a northern state takes to knitting.  The appreciation goes so much farther than the aesthetic--it’s survival to be able to cuddle up in warmth when the snow drifts deep.  So, when life afforded me the chance to head back into Wisconsin and find some more yarn destiKNITions, I went.

Last time we centered around Milwaukee.  This time we’ll be visiting three smaller towns--Monroe on one day, Verona and New Glarius the next.  You could do all these in a single long day from Chicago, but I wouldn’t recommend it...you want time to explore and enjoy, right?

One of my favorite aspects of midwestern living is the “circle the square” small town.  It’s the quintessential plaines states set up--a small town whose center is a square of commerce set up around either a park or the town hall.  There’s just something so friendly and connected about it that appeals to this urban techie girl.

Today we’ll be visiting Monroe.  First stop for me is always coffee, and in Monroe that means: 

Chocolate Temptation

1004 17th  Avenue

Monroe WI  53556

608-328-2462

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chocolate-Temptation/125278597522921

Sure, it’s a dessert place, but all destiKNITTers know the value of dessert for breakfast! (don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have something more traditional for lunch).  They have loads of delectable ice cream flavors, but I opted for an excellent latte (remember to stir--they serve it to you in layers!) and red velvet cheesecake.  There’s a reason the place has been going strong for 18 years--the chocolate here is outstanding.  Start here, and it’s nearly impossible to have a bad day.

Duly caffeinated, spend an hour or two wandering around the rest of the square.  On my visit, I found 

an indoor farmer’s market on Wednesdays and Saturdays (a rare treat in winter months)

a collection of antique boutiques at the Monroe Antiques Mall

At 1117 16th Avenue, I found some seriously good pastries and a local specialty called the Lindberger Roll (ideal for brats, sandwiches, or eating straight out of the bag) at the Boomerang Bakery

But there’s way more to explore here so grab all the info from a brochure or click here to see everything.  

When you’re ready to get your yarn on, head just a bit off the square to:

Orange Kitten Yarns

1209 17th Avenue

Monroe WI  53556

608-328-4140

http://www.orangekittenyarns.com/

Don’t let the small size fool you--this is a fun little shop with lots to offer.  If you want a taste of the fiber world’s wonderful connectivity, this is where you’ll find it.  Owner Jocelyn Kline is an enthusiastic Monroe ambassador, introducing you to the town community at every opportunity.  You just know a shop with a full-size cutout of Elvis in the bathroom and a weekly Wednesday “show and tell” session is a friendly place to knit.  

Jocelyn (left) and Benita (right)

Still brand new--just over a year old and barely nudging up to a full-open schedule--Jocelyn has found a niche as the hub and showcase for many local artisans.  No, you won’t find a wall full of every color here--although Jocelyn has a respectable stock of the basic commercial lines given the size of the shop.  What you will find are delightfully unique yarns from the thriving local community of fiber-producers, other locally sourced products like goatsmilk soaps, and eight new friends the moment you walk in.  Benita Miller was in making socks while I was there, and I felt like we were all related before I left (and, in a fiber sense, aren’t we?).  

This is a shop where you can “do knitting any way you want it--art, distraction, or community,” says Jocelyn, who sees her shop as more community service as commerce.  I feel as if should I ever move here, Jocelyn would have me plugged into the community before I unpacked my kitchen (maybe even before I unpacked my suitcase!).

This is the dairy state, and folks in Monroe take their cheese seriously.  Very seriously.  Every other year, they go all out for “Cheese Days”--the area’s biggest festival.  The next event--the 100th anniversary, mind you--is September 2014 and I plan to be there.  

I’ll be appropriately accessorized with our first knit-along from this shop:

Lucy Neatby’s Utterly Divine Bag

So bold and quirky I couldn’t resist!  I’ve avoided felting up until now, but this bag was just outrageous enough to break down my reluctance.  As with every Neatby creation, the fun colors also sport some very clever design tactics.  Who could say no?

If you’re looking for something more local and low-key, opt for:

Ewe n’ Me Enterprises Thrummed Mitten Kit

Inside a cozy knitted mitten are tufts of roving that will custom-felt to your hands as you wear them.  Hands-down the warmest mittens you can find, and in a rainbow of cheery colors.  Packaged into kits by the Winnebago IL company, they’re as pretty as they are practical--especially for those of us who lack the skill to artfully combine colors.

If you want a project that embodies Jocelyn’s connective philosophy, I’d suggest:

Sandy’s Art Yarn Hat

Art Yarn--fiber that’s tricked out with all kinds of goodies so that the strands are as much  a work of art as the final product--always adds extra pizzaz to basics like hats and scarves.  This kit is no exception.  A great way for a new knitter to get some high-power punch out of simple stitching, this kit creates a one-of-a-kind hat children or teens would adore.  You’ll hear more about Sandy and her happy sheep in our next post, by the way.

When you’re ready for lunch, you’ve got quite a few choices, but here’s the two we tried:

Cafe Claudeen

1014 17th Avenue

Monroe WI 53556

608-329-5899

http://www.cafeclaudeen.com/

This place is to food what Orange Kitten is to Yarn--a showcase for local products.  Friendly service, an inventive menu, and a casually elegant atmosphere make this an ideal place for lunch.  I had a lovely quiche while my companion had a hefty sandwich.  Had I not already indulged, the dessert case had several great options.  If you think small midwestern towns can’t deliver foodie-level noshing, this place will prove you wrong.

Want something a little less delicate but loaded with fun?  Try:

Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern

1301 15th Avenue

Monroe, WI  53556

608-325-6157

https://baumgartnercheese.com/

The line to sit down is your first clue this is a local favorite.  Filled with murals, dozens of cheese selections, and a basic tavern-style menu, this place oozes character.  With simple fare done to perfection, this place can handle a rowdy boys’ night out as easily as it hosts a kids’ lunch with grandpa.  As a matter of fact, our server asked if we’d mind sharing a table with an older couple out for a Sunday drive, and we ended up having one of the most entertaining lunch with strangers-turned-friends I’ve ever experienced.  The world is losing such places, so I’m glad this one still stands.  Hand your server a dollar and watch him tack it to the ceiling in the most original and entertaining charity drive I’ve ever seen!

Tune in next time to find out the wonderful farm adventure that finished our day in Monroe.  You won’t want to miss it!