100% Wool Yarn and Blankets from Sheep Raised on Helvetia and Surrounding Farms

Blankets are tighly woven, extremely warm, and long lasting. Patterns include solids and tweeds in natural and dyed hues.

Yarn is natural colored (creamy white and dark). There are four skeins to a pound.

Blankets and yarn may be purchased

• at the Hutte Restaurant in Helvetia,
• at Mtmade.com in Thomas, WV,
• by calling 304-924-5455 or 304-924-5733,
• by E-mailing HelvetiaShepherds@msn.com, or
• by mail to Helvetia Shepherd's Association, P.O. Box 25, Helvetia, WV 26224.

Shipping for twins and throws is $9, all other blankets are $11. Shipping for yarn is $2 for the first skein and $1 for additional skeins.

Helvetia is a remote village located high mountain valley in central West Virginia. Its isolation has allowed the Swiss and Germans who settled here to retain elements of their culture in foods, music, farming, and dance.

Five shepherds, shearing over 300 sheep, supply the wool for the yarn and blankets. About 1000 pounds of raw wool from breeds such as Hampshire, Dorset, Columbia, Suffolk, and crossbreeds is produced and processed each year.The raw wool is washed, carded, spun or woven, and sometimes dyed. The combination of wools produces minimum shrinkage when blankets are properly washed..