The Knitters Niche in Marquette, MI has offered to help the XC Ski Alliance for the 2009/2010 season.  This gem of a local yarn shop is doing their part by selling yarns produced in the Midwest and supporting local fiber mills.  Now, they are also reaching out to help local athletes reach their goals.  Please show them your support by checking out their yarn selection.  If you make a purchase from their on-line store, you can use the promo code, “ski” to receive a 10% discount.

Please pass this message on to anyone you know that knits or crochets.  I know that yarns are difficult to pick out over the internet, so here are some of my locally made favorites:

On Line Store Selections:

1.  Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepard’s Wool- This is a great all-around worsted weight yarn that you can use to make anything.  It is made in 100% soft merino top wool and made in Michigan.  It comes in vibrant, beautiful colors.  You are actually getting 30 more yards here than the normal 220 yard skein.  You can easily knit 2 hats from one skein of this yarn and it ends up being a real bargain.  This is my favorite yarn for color, versitality, texture, and price.  Buy one skein in your favorite color and you will never buy another brands worsted weight yarn again.

2. Triple “R” Ranch Shetland Wool - This is another Michigan yarn.  It is unique because the Triple “R” Ranch does not use any dye!  They have several different natural colors, due to sheep wool variation only.  This is a very raw product that knits beautifully.  My favorite color right now is the black.  The website is often out of stock, but you can usually buy this yarn if you call (906-228-9276). 

Marquette Store Selections:

1.  Winter Sky Shetland’s (not on website yet, but available by phone 906-228-9276)-Read about this U.P. company HERE.  Winter Sky makes beautiful bulky yarns that are hand spun and hand died.

2.  Honeypot Yarns (not on website yet, but available by phone 906-228-9276)-Read about this Madison, WI company HERE.  Honeypot makes yarns of all different shapes and sizes.  What is unique about this company is the beautiful colors.  All yarns are hand painted by a young artist named Jolene Hollenberger.

Bryan Cook, Gus Kaeding, Caitlin Cassidy, and I drove out to Vally Spur near Munising, MI today to ski.  The annual Taste and Glide event was taking place, and the Nordic Ski Club of Milwaukee was in town for the festivities.  The temperatures got up to almost 40 degrees but there was still tons of snow and perfect grooming.  Conditions were slow, but we do not mind trading speed for sun at this time of year.  For those of you who have never been there, the Valley Spur trails have something to offer for everyone.  There are some difficult trails with long climbs and winding fast downhills.  They also have beginner loops and some longer, more scenic, flat trails.  They groom nearly every day and they have one of the warmest warming houses I’ve ever been in.  It is a very nice day trip from Marquette or weekend get away from anywhere in Wisconsin.

Maria Stuber (CXC Elite), Caitlin Cassidy (NMU), Sandy Sugden, and Anne Riendl (Nordic Ski Club of Milwaukee and Lapham Ladies) at Taste and Glide Food Stop #1.

Caitlin and Maria

Caitlin Cassidy

The Chevy Blazer that Valley Spur uses to groom their trails (Photo credit: www.valleyspur.org).

Skiing in the U.P. has been amazing lately. It’s been warm and sunny and the kick waxing has been easy.  By the looks of it we are going to have a really nice Spring.  Start planning your U.P. Spring skiing vacation now.

From Left to Right: Marie-Helen Soderman, Anna Karin Berglund, Maria Stuber, Morgan Smyth, Kirsten Fjeldheim, Caitlin Cassidy, Ingrid Fjeldheim, Laura Dewitt, Lindsey Dehlin, and Jenny Ryan. Ten people from different places and differnt teams, out working hard and helping eachother reach their goals (Photo credit: Lindsey Dehlin).