
Long Thread Podcast: Kate Larson, Shepherd, Teacher, Editor
Season 4, Episode 7: Lamb snuggles, Dorset buttons, Indiana soil, plain sewing, and spinning cotton on a charkha—these are the joys of editor Kate Larson.
Audio · Farm & Fiber Knits
Farm & Fiber Knits · Article
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| From | Farm & Fiber Knits |
| Author | Mary Lou Egan |
| Published | February 19, 2026 |
| Format |
The story of how Brown Sheep Company, a family-owned spinning mill in Mitchell, Nebraska, grew from a struggling sheep farm into one of the most recognized American yarn brands
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It is hard to imagine that any knitter in the United States isn’t familiar with Brown Sheep Company. If you’ve been part of the felting craze, you’ve surely used it! But how much do you know about Brown Sheep Company itself? Crafted in Mitchell, Nebraska, using American wool, Brown Sheep yarn reflects a century long family commitment to the land, sustainability, and ethical production, connecting knitters to a rich tradition. And no, there isn’t a “brown” sheep—it’s the family name!
This article tells the story of Brown Sheep Company, a family-owned spinning mill in Mitchell, Nebraska, and how it grew from a struggling sheep farm into one of the most recognized American yarn brands.

Season 4, Episode 7: Lamb snuggles, Dorset buttons, Indiana soil, plain sewing, and spinning cotton on a charkha—these are the joys of editor Kate Larson.
Audio · Farm & Fiber Knits

Season 4, Episode 10: A wool mill forms the link between sheep and fiber artists, transforming raw fiber into handcraft-ready yarn and roving. Working in small batches, processing fleece from small farms, a mill can still have a big impact.
Audio · Farm & Fiber Knits

This asymmetrical crescent shawl combines short rows, simple texture, and marled color changes to evoke the look of patchwork farm land in early spring
Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits

Get the recipe for an adaptable crescent shawl that uses oddball skeins of yarn, then read about the designers natural-dye experiments that resulted in a cohesive rust-colored garment.

Explore the world of Long Thread Media with the current issue of each of our five magazines.

Dive into summer with beautiful projects to layer, plus learn about yarn substitutions, discover Galway sheep, and unearth organic cotton.

This darling scarf is knitted on the bias like an asymmetrical shawl. Knit one in chunky stripes or your favorite solid color.
Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits

Pick a botanically dyed palette of wild silks from Madagascar and cast on this easy summer scarf.
Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits
Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits
Magazine · Farm & Fiber Knits · Current Issue Collection
Magazine · Farm & Fiber Knits