the pilgrimage

The Briggs & Little Woolen Mill was quite an experience. First the store - with hundreds of hanks in 8 different weights and dozens of shades - and then past the warehouse to bags and bins of wool in various stages of dying, picking and carding before spinning and twisting. And as I walked through, I could see and feel the coarse textured wool fibre refined by each manufacturing step.

John Little was working the store counter Friday morning. I loved hearing from him about the designers and patterns in the book "Knits from the North Country - Classic Knits by Canadian Knitters". And was impressed by the knit samples of the patterns showcased throughout the store. But most inspiring was his evident pride in the history and heritage of his family's mill. And his clear enthusiasm for all things wool.

What a great visit! At least, I thought so ... but Gavin, not so much. In fact, a chip truck or a beer garden in the Briggs & Little parking lot would do a roaring trade. Because there were quite a few knit widowers pacing impatiently outside.