When I first met the Mitchell Wool Co. team last year at Indie Untangled, I was overwhelmed by their amazing yarn. It was everything I loved in a beautiful, American breed fiber...plump, a bit sheepy, super soft, flexibility of use, and so much stitch definition. I was smitten and then when I learned more about their story and how they got started - I feel head over heels in love with American Fiber!
I'm not sure the year, but Sherry at some point picked up Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes. When reading, it landed a drive to do something to support the wool industry and how they wound up with sheep grazing the rolling hills of their farm.
Sherry & her son, Luke, decided they were going to do something and they went all in!
They raise 180 sheep and launched their own farm-grown, plant-dyed yarn line in 2021. Then in 2023, they decided that the only way to change the greater narrative was to make an impact beyond their own fences.
American Fiber by Mitchell Wool Co was born November 1, 2023. The first 7,000 pounds of fleece was rescued from a bankrupt mill in the Northeast. Currently, Mitchell Wool is processing their next 8,000 pounds of wool from farms across America, including a fourth-generation family ranch.
What does that mean? Well, that processing will net 120,000 skeins of farm-sourced, American-grown and processed and plant-dyed skeins of yarn into the hands of conscientious crafters.
And when you purcahse Mitchell Wool yarn, it is truly farm to skein. Both Mitchell Wool and American Fiber are all plant dyed, only. The Mitchell Wool brand yarns are from the sheep that live and flourish on the Mitchell Wool Farm.
Earlier this summer an opportunity arose to collaborate with Mitchell Wool. I was thrilled! For me this was a dream come true. To be able to design with these gorgeous yarns that have such a story is hard to put into words.
Growing up and living in the Midwest I am surrounded by farms and farmers - truly some of the hardest working people we can know. The hours are endless. They provide so much to us, much of what we take for granted and do not really think about where it comes from. Farmers and farms of all sizes provide us with livestock, grains, vegetables, fuel, by-products used to make components in our kitchens and every day lives, and fiber for our clothes and of course the yarn!
In my decade of knitting I have used many differnet natural and synthetic wools/fibers over the years. One of my absolute favorite bases/breesds is American Rambouillet. It's just so dreamy and this among the other bases from Mitchell Wool you cannot go wrong. They do all the things you want from a yummy wool!
A few fun facts about their American Fiber...
Super soft next to your skin
18 Micron Rambouillet
Never super wash!
The spinning oils from the mill have been removed using plant based laundry soap
The yarn is all hand dyed at their Michigan Farm using sustainably harvest plants, insects and food waste.
Here is a quick link Mitchell Wool Co has put together as a quick reference to know your yarn (or know your sheep)!
So when you purchase from Mitchell Wool Co...here is what happens!
One skein of yarn equals 3.5 bales of hay for the flock!
Our crew consumes 14 bales of locally grown hay per day from October-May when the pastures are resting.
Your support puts hay in the barn and employs both the Mitchell Wool Team and the local hay grower.
This is a special story and one that is going to have many more great chapters ahead for us.
It started with a family, helping another family farm. Keeping American Wool on US shores, in US mills and in the hands of American makers. This is knowing where your family-farm-grown yarn comes from. It’s beyond USA made — it’s For Flocks Sake. For Community’s sake. For the right reasons, long term.
For more information about Mitchell Wool Co. and their yarns ... visit their website, https://mitchellwool.com and be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @mitchellwoolco
AND if you are in the Michigan area...they do have a Farm Shop and free Farm Tours (by appointment). Hours are Monday-Thursday from 10AM-4PM.
In 2025, I am planning a road trip to the Farm and can't wait to share all about that future adventure!
I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about Mitchell Wool Co. and cannot wait to hear which of their bases are your favorite!
xo, Crystal
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