Brown Sheep Mill

On Monday, June 11, 2007, 31 women boarded a bus for Mitchell, Nebraska where the temperatures were in excess of 95 and the humidity numbers matched. What would cause this group to travel from compartively cool and dry Colorado Springs? Yarn, fleece and a tour of a well-known mill for fiber, Brown Sheep Company, Inc.

Upon arrival at the plant, a preliminary explanation of the process was provided outside under the trees. Afterwards the group was divided into three smaller ones to be guided through the facility and see the machinery in operation - carding, spinning, plying and dyeing equipment. No photographs were allowed inside due to possible espionage and theft of family production secrets. (But no photography didn't stop Samuel Slater from brining the initial plans to the US from England!)

Before boarding the bus, we were given the opportunity to SHOP! Skeins being discontinued, seconds, overstock, etc. were made available for us to pick through. The group complied and relieved the Mill of all of its "overstock" and then some. I purchased some off-white superwash wool to use for Aran sweaters for a couple of the younger nieces. Also found
several skeins of Serendipity Tweed in a blue that I might use for a cardigan for myself.