I meant to get this post up yesterday and then got busy and forgot to post it! Sorry!
On the second day of my trip to Wisconsin, my SIL Linda and I visited a shop she had been wanting to visit, but she waited for me to come to do so.
It ws called the Knitty Gritty Shop. It was housed in this outbuilding out in the country outside of Horicon, Wisconsin. It is located on the grounds of the owners' family farm.
Here are the owners of the shop and farm. They are a very lovely couple. This farm has been in their family for five generations! The shop has lots of connections to the farm, which makes it truly unique, in my view.
When we walked in the door, we were greeted with all sorts of eye candy. Yarn, baby gifts, all sorts of goodies for the home, etc. And it was all well organized, neat, and very pleasing! Here, to the right of the door, you see yarn, baby gifts, and photo albums.
To the left, a bunch of Vera Bradley goodies, lots of housewares, and more yarns.
I loved this display up by the cash register!
Lots of sheep in the shop. Sally, I took this photo for you.
Here is a table of unspun wool. This wool is from sheep on the owners' farm. Just lovely. (As an aside, I'm thinking of taking a spinnin class this summer. What do you think? Do I need another hobby and more to do?)
Lots of cute signs. I really loved this one. It spoke to me! I should have gotten it for my kitchen, I think.
Tons of cute towels on display for Mother's Day. Cute sewing ideas here!
I thought these were cute and that they'd look good with my red and white retro curtains. So, two of them came home with me. When I was paying for them, I found out they were on sale for Mother's Day! Wahoo!
What was fun about this shop is there was all sorts of interesting yarns. These were really pretty.
These yarns were made from sugar cane. They were really soft and had a nice sheen to them. I brought some home to make something for Sweet Pea.
And how about these yarns....made from possum fur! It was soft and quite warm. I wouldn't mind trying it sometime. The yarn is from Australia.
More sheep related stuff...Hi Sally! And I loved that little sign behind them.
Remember how I said a lot of their poducts had a connection to the farm? Well, I showed you the unspun wool from their sheep. Here is another example....Someone in town makes these willow branch chairs. The willows are all taken from trees on their farm, handcrafted, and then sold in their shop. Oh, how I'd love to have a couple of these at my house. Maybe in the future. I'll have to ask for one for my birthday or something. :-) SisLH, maybe you can give a hint to Papa Pea!
And these soaps are handcrafted by another person in town who harvests juniper berries, etc. from the farm to make the soap. I thought this type of commitment on the part of the owners was pretty cool.
I saw this book when I was there, and it went on my wish list. It had some really beautiful things in it!
Here is the little pile of goodies that came home with me. Aren't they beautiful? Some yarn, some soaps, a cute soap dish, and a pattern for Sweet Pea. I need to finish some other projects so I can start on these. I think Sweet Pea will love what I have in mind for her.
I absolutely adored this shop. If you are in the area and you like yarn, you have to stop in. There are some gorgeous yarns in this shop, and the owner is very helpful and nice. Even if you don't like yarn, you should stop. They have so many cute things, you'll find plenty of other things to look at. I am looking forward to visiting again when I go to see SisLH again. We both spent a good hour in this shop perusing everything. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Wish I lived closer so I could sit and knit back in the knitting corner sometime. And the owner spins, too. How fun would that be?
Okay, I think I'm going to go sign up for that spinning class now! Ha! (EDIT: Done! I'm signed up. Four lessons in the month of June. Can't wait.)
Hope you enjoyed! I still have a little more to tell about my weekend, so stick around for at least one more post!
Until next time,
You are so funny! Good luck with your spinning class!
Posted by: Shelly | May 10, 2012 at 11:21 AM
I knew you were running short of things to do! Glad you found that spinning class to fill in the gaps girl!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | May 10, 2012 at 12:22 PM
I can't believe you are taking on another project. Love seeing your pictures. That shop is so cute. Loved that saying on the towel. Looks like you had a great time.
Posted by: carolld | May 10, 2012 at 12:25 PM
ROFL - I KNEW you'd sign up - you'll make the time, girl! I love that shop, the Farm Like A Girl really got me - love it!!!!!
Posted by: Allie | May 10, 2012 at 03:08 PM
Have fun spinning. Learning new things is such fun.
Posted by: Jana | May 10, 2012 at 07:21 PM
According to that sign I am the best mom EVER to walk the face of this earth. :)
Posted by: Melissa | May 10, 2012 at 09:07 PM
I knew you'd sign up too! You'll enjoy it I'm sure. There are a few folks in my guild who also knit and spin. The next town over started a Fiber Festival a few summers ago. I think this year will be their fourth. They are trying to get mostly yarn and fabric artists to vend, but there are other crafts represented as well. There are always a couple of spinners. It is fun to watch. The first year P. was fascinated with one lady's spinner and she gave us a short demo on how it is done. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, him or me.
Posted by: Lynn | May 11, 2012 at 09:51 AM
I've been wanting to learn to spin! You should have a wonderful time with this class, and we want pictures. Beautiful yarns, Stephie!
Posted by: jenclair | May 11, 2012 at 11:27 AM
I think you'll love the spinning. I know a gal that does that and she certainly does love it. She says it relaxing. I don't do it because of time and I don't Knit! LOL!!
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | May 11, 2012 at 12:29 PM
I would love to see this store sometime!
Posted by: liveacolorfullife | May 12, 2012 at 06:25 PM
Love this store too! I am sure you will enjoy your spinning class!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | May 13, 2012 at 01:31 AM
I think you'll love the spinning. I know a gal that does thatrdg and she certainly does love it. She says it relaxing. I don't do it because of time and I don't Knit! LOL!!
Posted by: niche blog comment | December 10, 2012 at 01:49 AM