Sarah and Matthew Gilbert, owner operators of Mendocino Wool and Fiber, Inc.
*Photo Credit: Paige Greene*

The importance of yarn design is underappreciated by most knitters - and yet it is an essential part of understanding how a yarn you select will work for you and your project. The attributes in your yarn’s production process (energy, twist, ply, grist, fiber characteristics) are not listed on the label like fiber content and yardage, or as clearly visible as dye and colour, but they are just as important. The technical skills and artistry involved in designing a quality yarn are generally informed in the fingertips and hands of spinners through hours of experience and reflection. I am always on the lookout for these rare and special skills in yarns we can buy. To find someone local is remarkable.

Enter Sarah and Matthew Gilbert of Mendocino Wool and Fiber, Inc. Matthew and Sarah have deep roots and connections that give them a unique understanding of the diverse local flocks and their fleeces. While most yarns are produced from white short stapled sheep, we are blessed with many small flocks of carefully husbanded heritage and diverse mixed breed sheep as well as alpaca and cotton blends. Matthew has been shearing sheep since he was 13 and Sarah has developed her own 'recipes’ which she uses to create yarns for knitters and weavers that embrace and refine this plurality into beautiful yarns. At the Mill, they are joined by Kat who brings her love of fiber and textiles to the spinning frame and the loom. The yarns they create defy conventional wisdom in many ways and it lends them unique properties and energy you could never replicate in a mass produced product. They are round, soft and complex and bring their character to every stitch. I am excited for them to share their knowledge and introduce us to both the process and the results of such artisanal fiber literally from sheep to skein. Red Creek Farm is one of the farms that Mendocino Wool and Fiber, Inc produce yarn for - from shearing to skein and we are delighted to be able to include the Farm in our project.

Peggy Agnew and Jonathan Whipple are the owner/operators of Red Creek Farm located in Potter Valley at the headwaters of the East Fork of the Russian River in Mendocino County. Red Creek is a small family-run sheep farm. The flock of over 30 sheep spends its Summers on irrigated clover pasture, Winters on grass and alfalfa hay, and Springs ranging in the hills.

Red Creek Farm specializes in a unique four-way cross bred sheep: Cormo x Lincoln x Merino x Wensleydale. The result is a remarkably long, strong, lustrous, and soft wool especially desirable amongst handspinners. The wool is a regular winner at fiber shows, such as Black Sheep Gathering and California Wool & Fiber Festival (a national competition). In addition, Peggy has planted a dye garden and uses the materials from the garden to dye an array of beautiful colours on her yarns.

It is with great pleasure I invite you to spend a day at Red Creek Farm and meet Peggy and her sheep (and YES, there will be LAMBS). Matthew will explain and demonstrate the ancient and essential craft of sheep shearing and Sarah will take us through the process of yarn design … starting with the skirting directly after shearing - and onto the final products.

It takes about 2 hours driving time from the Golden Gate Bridge, 2 1/2 hours from Sacramento or Oakland to get to Potter Valley. For those who would like to spend a night or even two, there are overnight accommodations in Ukiah and I will gladly host a knitting circle at the historic Vichy Springs Resort for those who would like that. Dates and details are coming next week and bookings will open in mid-February. Email subscribers are always kept in the loop first, so be sure to sign up if you aren’t already!

Peggy Agnew with her sheep and many colored fleece

Photo Credit: Brittany Cole Bush

From Shearing to Skein. The Art of Yarn Design-coming soon