Home on the Range

Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the world is famous for geysers, waterfalls, wolves, elk, moose and…Bison!

Sometimes called buffalo, these majestic creatures brave extremely cold temperatures, as low as 66 degrees below zero (-55C) with an average of 150 inches of snow each year.

The Bufflo Wool Company, owned by Ron and Theresa Miskin and located in Kennedale, Texas harvest soft bison down from their herd and use it to create the most amazing luxury yarn on earth.  I was tickled pink to be able to speak with Ron and he had a lot of awesome things to say about their job, their herd, and their yarn.

Me:  Here in Yellowstone country we have a healthy fear and respect for the mighty Buffalo and are instructed by state park officials to stay 25-30 yards away.  How do you harvest the bison down?

Ron:  When we first started using the fiber we picked it up off the fences and bushes around the ranch.  Now we put street sweeper brushes on fence posts on ranches around the country.  We also shear the hides when the bison are processed for meat.

Me:  I like that.  Nothing goes to waste.  What is your favorite part of owning and running The Buffalo Wool Company?

Ron:  Definitely the people.  This industry is filled with the most kind, generous people I’ve ever met.  Everyone is so willing to give advice and help where they can.

He is seriously the nicest man!

Why bison? I can personally attest to the company’s claim that bison is soft enough to wrap a baby in and tough enough to keep a mountain man warm in a blizzard!

Some other awesome bison down fiber facts:

– No known allergies to the fiber.
– Bison down has a moisture regain of about 30%, keeping you warm and comfortable even when wet.
– Because it’s not hollow and doesn’t have barbs like wool, it doesn’t shrink.

Below are the 3 designs from my Winter 2016 collection that feature The Buffalo Wool Company Yarns.  Click on the links for the free patterns.

Have you used yarn from The Buffalo Wool Company?