Last week Arbor was released by Brooklyn Tweed! It was everywhere on social media, and I was curious. Worsted spun construction, what does this mean…I’d never heard of it before. I had seen the color selection, and in the photos, the yarn looked soft. Is that possible for something to look soft. Well anyway, fortunately for me a local yarn shop, Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, carries the full Brooklyn Tweed collection — so I decided to take my camera, and drive to Bainbridge Island and check out this yarn for myself.
I love that Jared’s yarn is made in the United States. It really means a lot to me. I’ve enjoyed the Shelter, Loft & Quarry. I have never knit with Plains (yet). So, dk weight, I wondered if it would have the same construction as the others, but no. There are 30 colors from which to choose, and it breaks down like this: 50 grams | 145 yards | DK weight
- 100% Montana & South Dakota-grown Targhee wool
- Dyed in Saco, Maine. Spun in Springvale, Maine
Here is where the story shifts a bit… while I was there at Churchmouse, there was a large gathering at the table. These women where very busy. There was a real cohesiveness about this group; it wasn’t like a class. They were a happy collective, working together in a focused fashion to an end goal. There, I’ve described what I saw. This was the Charity Knitting Group. Churchmouse has a charity knitting group that meets every third Thursday of every month! In chatting with Carrie Trapp, Churchmouse employee and group leader, she told me that the group started in 2002, and has become very philanthropic. They disburse items to probably three different groups at any given time; from men’s and women’s shelters in Seattle, to the street people. They were busy knitting hats and felted bags, but I believe they knit different things at different times. They do the knitting, and there are others that help with the disbursement. In the little felted bags, they even include toiletries.
I was amazed and humbled. The fruit of their generosity is abundant. During this time of harvest and thanksgiving, these women are to be applauded! Thank you to the Churchmouse for sowing the seed of charity.
In closing, I didn’t purchase any Arbor yet — as you all know, it’s the year of the baby for me, and I have a grandson to knit for! You can click on any of the photos to see a larger version~
