Pardon me a few moments here while I wax rhapsodic about the 13 Mile Lamb & Wool Co. Let's face it, it doesn't get much better than this; A sheep farm in the most idyllic setting possible, with the gorgeous Bridger Mountains as a backdrop, a fiber mill where the wool is washed, carded, spun into yarn, and dyed with natural plant dyes, and all of this owned by the nicest folks you could ever hope to meet, Becky Weed and David Tyler.
The mill is in a picturesque old barn...with solar panels on the roof. David, a retired engineer, figured out the system for heating the water to wash the wool with solar energy in specially designed sinks that drain all the waste water into a truck that spreads it on their pastures as natural fertilizer. The farm is certified organic and everything about the operation has been carefully thought out to maximize positive effects on the environment, right down to the sweet-smelling composting outhouse across the creek from the barn.
Organic AND predator friendly, a status earned by working with nature to minimize losses from predators, rather than taking an "us" vs. "them" attitude about our wild Montana predators such as wolves and mountain lions.
Becky is the wool-queen extraodinaire. She has worked for years to tweak every aspect of the washing, carding, spinning, dyeing and everything else until she was confident in their consistently excellent product. 13 Mile Organic Wool now holds a place of honor as one of the best organic wools in the entire country. And it's made right here in the Gallatin Valley! Yay!
This wonderful wool is our Yarn of the Month this month, and we are offering it at 20% off the regular price--roving or yarn. If you haven't ever tried it, please treat yourself! Will it be the beautiful natural colors or the plant-dyed colors or a combination of the two? Whatever you decide, know that your support of this special mill is good for the earth, good for the local economy, and good for you! Enjoy!
Read more about the 13 Mile Lamb & Wool Co. here.
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