cotton, baskets of roving. There’s an ancient working cash register, and examples of Janette’s work are everywhere: mittens, socks, hats, handdyed and hand-spun wool, toys, birdhouses made from gourds, wreaths, herbal soaps, shampoos, and more. There are pattern books, needles (wooden, of course), and all sorts of notions that have been test-driven by Janette and the group of knitters and spinners who congregate in the
FA E RIDGE FARM KNITTERS “I hope to see you all soon. Be sure and stop out to watch the summer’s magic unfold here at the farm as the baby animals grow up and the butterflies find a new oasis in Iowa.” —Janette Ryan-Busch, Fae Ridge Farm newsletter
back, by a table stocked with goodies.
open year-round (from October to January, it’s also open on Sundays). The rest of the week, they may meet on the knitting social networking site Ravelry. I don’t know everyone’s names, because I don’t get to join them that often, but I do know bits and pieces of their stories. Most important, I know what they’re making.
W
An assortment of fiber enthusiasts gather together at Fae Ridge
every Saturday afternoon from eleven to five, the only time the store is
Janette has built not only a yarn store and a place for her own
handwork, but a community. On Ravelry, they define themselves as hen you first meet Janette Ryan-Busch, you
“customers and fans of Fae Ridge Farm—where knitters, spinners, felters,
might find it hard to believe that she’s just a little over
and dyers find socially responsible goodies for their projects and inspire,
five feet tall. Gray-haired, bright-eyed, and slender,
support, and guide each other through our knitting lives.” That sure
Janette is a feisty bundle of energy with a huge
helps to explain why, even in the winter, when country roads can be a
persona. She’s passionate about everything she does. And she does a lot.
challenge, there’s a band of the faithful congregated there.
On Fae Ridge, her working farm just outside of Iowa City, Janette
What I love about knitting at Fae Ridge, in addition to the warm and
grows herbs and produce. A certified organic farmer, in some places
spirited company, is knowing that in the near beyond are fields of herbs
around here, she’s known as the “Basil Queen.” With the aid of a llama
and an assembly of animals. Whenever I’m there, I feel a closeness to all
and an alpaca, she raises goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, and geese. One
things growing. Once, I arrived to find a cardboard box of baby chicks
summer, she partnered with a local neighborhood center, bringing in a
under lamps in the corner, by the baskets of roving. Another day, fiercely
group of at-risk kids to help with the chores and gain valuable work
cold, I followed Janette to the barns to peek at her newborn goats. At Fae
experience. Janette has hosted canning workshops, fiber festivals, and
Ridge, Janette takes you in—to her farm, her animals, her life, and the
shearing days. She also spins, weaves, and knits.
special gang of fiber folks she’s fostered. Showing up there immediately
makes you a member. That’s the Iowa spirit, neighborly and friendly.
Did I mention Janette has a yarn store at Fae Ridge? It’s the only
one I know that also sells eggs from its own brood. Housed in a tiny
When I go out to Fae Ridge, I like to wear my blue sweater, the one I
green cottage, with white shutters and a front porch, the shop looks like
knit from yarn I bought there. Thick and chunky, it’s warm enough to wear
it belongs in a fairy tale. Inside are shelves of the real stuff: wool and
as a coat on days that aren’t too cold. No matter how many times I wash it,
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COMMUNITY
A KNITTER’S HOME COMPANION