True Colors

Road trip!

The boyz and I decided to hit the road to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana to visit the Mountain Colors workshop.

Lunch at Dave's Pizza in Salmon, Idaho. Two thumbs up! — Lunch at Dave’s Pizza in Salmon, Idaho. Two thumbs up!

We followed the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, traveling up the Sacagawea Historical Byway in Idaho then onto the Salmon River Byway and into the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

Once we crossed the Montana state line, we entered the Bitterroot National Forest and drove down the mountain pass into the Bitterroot valley.

Sapphire Mountains in the Bitterroot Valley

The valley is most famous as the setting for “A River Runs Through It,” but we traveled there for the yarn. Mountain Colors is owned and operated by Leslie Taylor and Diana McKay.

I was tickled to catch these hard-working ladies in action.

Natural yarn waiting its turn to become Mountain Colors

Hand painting yarn. There color of this batch was Harmony Plum. At least 9 different colors are painted on to even the more solid colored yarn! — Hand painting yarn. The color of this batch was Harmony Plum. At least 9 different colors are painted on to even the more solid colored yarns!

Heat processing with vinegar for colors that stay put

I took along some of my finished designs for show and tell

Gilmore Skinny Scarf worked in Mountain Colors "Jeannette" colorway Firestorm 65% cashmere, 35% silk — Gilmore Skinny Scarf worked in Mountain Colors “Jeannette” 65% cashmere, 35% silk

Sapphire Mountain Cowl, worked in Mountain Colors "Mountain Goat" 55% mohair 45% wool — Sapphire Mountain Cowl, worked in Mountain Colors “Mountain Goat” 55% mohair 45% wool

Dauphiné Alpine Lace Socks worked in Mountain Colors "Bearfoot" 60% wool, 25% mohair, 15% nylon — Dauphiné Alpine Lace Socks worked in Mountain Colors “Bearfoot” 60% wool, 25% mohair, 15% nylon

and came away with more treasures.

Mountain Colors "Wooly Feathers" 65% mohair, 20% nylon, 15% wool — Mountain Colors “Wooly Feathers” 65% mohair, 20% nylon, 15% wool

Selway River Poncho - Mountain Goat, 55% mohair 45% wool, Wooly Feathers, 65% mohair 20% nylon 15% wool — Selway River Poncho – Mountain Goat, 55% mohair 45% wool, Wooly Feathers, 65% mohair 20% nylon 15% wool

Skein ends sold at Mountain Colors workshop by the ounce - "Half Crepe" 100% merino — Skein ends sold at Mountain Colors workshop by the ounce – “Half Crepe” 100% merino

As every knitter knows, no matter what’s in the queue or what’s in the stash, when new yarn comes home we have to get our hands on it right away!

Salmon River Fingerless Mitts worked in "Half Crepe" 100% merino — Salmon River Fingerless Mitts worked in “Half Crepe” 100% merino

If you’re on the road and in the Missoula, Montana area take a few minutes and stop by the Mountain Colors Workshop. If you’re not on the road, check out #mountaincolors on Instagram for more of their lovely, vibrant yarns.

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