Over these last two weeks, knitters from around the US gathered for a special farm-to-yarn getaway. This first-of-its-kind retreat from Farm & Fiber Knits offered the chance to follow the yarn from the sheep in the field, to the shearer, to the mill, and to the finished skein. Here’s a behind-the-scenes peek at the adventure as it unfolded.
The adventure began with a visit to Sunny Fields Farm, where Siri Swanson of Yankee Rock Farm/Yankee Clippers demonstrated the art of shearing. Guests then rolled up their sleeves to try skirting fleeces themselves, preparing the wool for its next step at the mill they would visit the following day.
Get a closer look! Click any image in the gallery below to open it in full-screen mode.
That afternoon, small groups toured Whispering Winds Alpaca Farm, where Pat Delaney introduced the group to her charming herd of alpacas who enjoyed being the center of attention. The day wrapped up with a stop at Harrisville Designs, with a tour of their iconic mill.
On Tuesday, the group visited Green Mountain Spinnery for an up-close look at small-scale yarn production and brought the wool that was shorn and skirted the day before for spinning. This wool would be turned into yarn and sent to the participants following the retreat! The afternoon continued at Wing & A Prayer Farm, home to a diverse flock of sheep breeds, along with a visit to the farm’s apothecary. Homemade pies and a host with a million-dollar smile awaited them.
Wednesday brought time to learn and connect with knitting. Classes included Mosaic Knitting & the Grid Gambit led by Samantha Guerin and A Shepherd’s Yarn Tasting with Kate Larson. There was also plenty of time to unwind—whether strolling through the village, biking nearby trails, playing pickleball, or simply relaxing with knitting in hand.
A special thank you to all of the locales that hosted us this week!
Looking ahead, the Fall Farm & Fiber Knits Retreat will take place September 28–October 2, 2026 in La Conner, Washington. This four-day Pacific Northwest experience offers another chance to follow fiber from pasture to needle, meet rare fiber animals, and learn directly from the people who raise and create these remarkable materials. While the fall retreat is currently sold out, you can still join the waitlist for a chance to attend if a spot opens up.
Lodge and yak photos by Kate Larson, wool photo courtesy of Skagit Woolen Works.
Highlights include:
A visit to farms raising rare fiber animals—guanacos, yaks, suri alpacas, pygora goats, and heritage-breed sheep.
Meet shepherds producing wool from CVM/Romeldale, Romney, and Icelandic sheep.
Explore natural dyeing with locally foraged plants with farmer Lisa Mitchell.
Further reading
Hear from Harrisville Designs owner John (Chick) Colony on the Long Thread Media Podcast. Then see how one of our editors put their yarn to use.
Learn more about Green Mountain Spinnery.
Enjoy our interview with Tamara White of Wing & A Prayer Farm on the Long Thread Podcast. Then read about the farm itself.