Knit to This
Knit to This: How Wool Is Grown in Montana
The other day, MDK reader Martha B. kindly sent me a link to a YouTube series from Right Choice Shearing, a two-woman traveling shearing operation with 2.6 million followers on YouTube. How did I not know Katie and Darian McRose before?
While I’ve yet to explore the whole channel, their documentary on a fourth-generation family sheep operation in Montana had me glued to the tube for 26 minutes. I had no idea that sheep farming—Rambouillet sheep, no less—was still done on such a large scale in the United States. I learned so much about how the sheep live, are cared for, protected, and sheared, and the use that is made of their sustainable, high-quality—miraculous, really—wool. And the setting is jaw droppingly gorgeous. These sheep, their guardian dogs, and their expert shepherds from Peru are inspiring—they make me proud to be a knitter and wearer of wool.
And it’s not every day that a Knit to This will make you want to order up some woolen undies—you’re welcome!
Watch the entire documentary at the link above, and have fun exploring Katie and Darian’s other adventures.
P.S. This is an apt time to mention with pride that our very own Atlas yarn is 100 percent Rambouillet wool—grown, sheared, spun, and dyed in the United States.
It’s 6:09 am , and I’m going to be late for work because I couldn’t stop watching the video.
I’ve watched Katie & Darian on YouTube for a long time. Their shearing is fascinating to watch! Loved this video♥️
Utterly fascinating! Thank you for posting this for us.
Fantastic video. What beautiful sheep.
By way of information please note that some of the Duckworth products are 38% wool /62% recycled polyester fibers.
Thanks for pointing that out, I definitely missed it.
Having recently added Rambouillet Fleece and roving to my spinning stash, it is a shear delight. Yes, pun intended. If you’ve gone down the rabbit Warren of spinning to add to your knitting or crocheting adventure, I highly recommend Rambouillet!
Thank you for the link! Fascinating.
Great video. I grew up on aseep ranch, and tepart about noticing the sheep in the wrong place made me laugh. That was the default mode when I was growing up. If there was nothing that needed to be done, then “Let’s go look for sheep!” Was the thing to do.
Love this documentary showcasing livestock right here in my home state! I emailed you awhile ago regarding a small herd of Navajo-Churro which is growing here in our area! I’m looking forward to some pretty colored natural yarn from them in the years to come 🙂 On a side note, my late Grandmother was the head of the MT Woolgrowers Association many years ago!
Cynthia362 – I too live in Montana (Missoula). Where in Montana do you live. I loved this video and have heard of Katie and Darian but had never seen a video – just so great!
I am from the Billings area. My grandparents were from the Bitterroot area. You’re in such a beautiful part of the state!
Greetings Cynthia, I’m just North of you, outside of Roundup.
Loved this video and I will definitely watch more. Thank you for sharing.
Yowzer! Thanks for this. The husbeast is a youtube addict (it all started during lockdown), so I’m sure that Katie and Darien will gain a new subscriber today.
This was such a great video. Really makes me appreciate the hardworking individuals, their herds, their dogs and their community! Thanks so much for bringing us this taste of Montana.
The depth and crimp of the fiber has me drooling. What a lovely breed! Rambouillet makes fabulous yarn. I loved seeing those sheepherders’ huts in the Sawtooth range in Idaho. My mother’s brother was a forest ranger there and part of his job was to count the sheep that grazed the land! Physically count. He said they made chutes and the sheep were moved through them.
Thanks, Kay. This is really fascinating! Another new subscriber.
This was fascinating! Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to see it.
Wow! I learned so much!
Great video—thanks for sharing!
This video was inspiring!
Wow!! That was fun, inspiring, informative and just all around beautiful. The dedication and love throughout the process kept shining through. Thanks for sharing this and starting my morning off with such an amazing story. I’ll definitely be checking out both Atlas yarn and Duckworth products. ❤️
I loved the video and learned from it. Thanks.
What an amazing video!!! I wish I could be part of the Helle clan.