We miss you, "Miss."

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, February 2012. We headed to Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill today so I could pick up more of my favorite worsted-weight yarn. It's a lovely drive, and the mill is about 20 minutes from the house.

We were sad to learn "Miss," the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, recently passed away from Melanoma. Miss was 14. She was a sweet mascot, and she made every trip to the mill truly enjoyable.

A Pattern Gem

Verona, Wisconsin, January 2016. The pattern for this sweater has been in my queue for over 30 years. Knitters will recognize it as a Penny Straker design (see pullover here; I plan to knit that for Mr. Irene out of this wool, in color "Blue Lagoon"). I worked the cardigan in Blackberry Ridge's Medium-Weight, Mohair-Blend Yarn, color "Light Gray." That's my favorite worsted wool.

The amazing buttons are carved from reclaimed walrus (I think; could be some other arctic beast) tusks. My Toronto Cousin bought the buttons for me during her trip to Alaska. Score!! Here's a closer look at the buttons:

Friendly

Near Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, June 2010. We've known Ivy since she was a puppy. Ivy and our Baci attended agility classes together, too.

Until-Next-Year Reunion

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, September 2011. There are few roadside hazards in this area.

A View of Sheep, in Three Takes

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Near Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, June 2013. The sheep don't care that we're lost.

Roo Row

The Australian Prime Minister sparks controversy because a story features her knitting a toy kangaroo for the royal baby. Here's more about the "charm offensive."

 

A columnist chided the Prime Minister for "giving encouragement to young female politicians by plying a hobby now synonymous with mad old aunts." Hey! We were just talking about knitting aunts. 

 

Australians should embrace knitting—even staged, political knitting. Australia once was a leading producers of knitting wool. In the 1960s and 1970s, Mom and I often ordered yarn from Australia.

 

Incidentally, Germaine Greer thinks the Prime Minister has "got a big ass." It's nice to see that Greer still is wearing those scarves.
 
Baaaaaa: 
 

 

 

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, June 26, 2013. Ignore the gawkers and do your own thing.

 

UPDATE: The Prime Minister is out.

Swallowtail Reunion

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, July 2011. A beauty lands near us.

Sometimes, we encounter a yarn shop with extra benefits.

A yarn shop occasionally has interesting helpers who add to the shopping experience.

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, February 2012. "Miss," an Anatolian Shepherd Dog, greets my Mom and my friend as we arrive at Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill. She recognized us from previous visits!

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Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, February 2012. Miss shows us the phenomenal selection of dyed wools.

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Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, February 2012. All of the local yarn shops in our area are lovely, but there is something extra special about Blackberry Ridge.

Thanks to my friend for creating another memorable outing for Mom and me.