Guest Speaker Lindsey Rice, Bartlettyarns
Saturday, March 14, 1:00–4:00 PM
Check-in begins at 12:30 PM
New York Society for Ethical Culture (Social Hall)
2 West 64th Street at Central Park West
Lindsey Rice—a former Marine and retired fireman—has worked with sheep for nearly his entire life, beginning with 4-H. He has raised award-winning flocks and, as a competitive shearer, earned recognition for his exceptional technique. For many years, he and his wife Susan operated a farm where they raised sheep and hosted educational programs. In 2008, they purchased Bartlettyarns (established in 1821), a custom fiber processing mill in Harmony, Maine, that is also the oldest—and now the last remaining—mule spun mill in the United States. Yarn spun in this way is soft and airy, with a draft that resembles handspun. The Rices had been longtime customers at Bartlettyarns—Lindsey often repaired the mill’s ancient spinning mule machine for the former owner—before acquiring the business.
Presentation: What is it like to own a 200-year-old business in the 21st century?
Over the past 18 years, Lindsey and Susan have transformed Bartlettyarns into a modern, yet tradition-driven company. They have purchased commercial dye equipment from a company that was closing, acquired a scouring system from the 1950s, and imported a wool baler from Australia. Today, Bartlettyarns employs five people and operates a full scouring line and dye house, maintaining a robust business in wholesale, retail, and custom fiber processing. They produce roving and yarn made from the fleece of local sheep. Bartlettyarns are highly regarded by crafters worldwide. Lindsey and Susan’s current project is rewriting historic knitting patterns and completing a new book on the history of Bartlettyarns.
Show and Tell
All knitted projects are welcome at Show and Tell. We can’t wait to see what you created since our last meeting. As always, only one Show and Tell item per meeting, please.
Bring a Guest
Guests are welcome! A guest’s first visit is free. Subsequent visits are $10, which may be applied to annual dues if paid on the meeting day.
Charity Table
Drop off the knitting you have done for charity since last we met. Or sit and knit at our Charity Knitting table with Charity Chair Barbara Beckley.
BAKG general meetings, workshops, or other BAKG-sponsored events, whether in person or virtual, may be photographed and/or recorded by audio and/or video. By your in-person or virtual participation at these meetings, you consent to the photography and/or recording and to the use of your image and/or recording in print and social media.