Our Story

Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill was founded in 1988 by Anne and Marc. It is located in the hills of Vermont Township in south central Wisconsin - just north of the picturesque village of Mount Horeb, affectionately known as Troll-town. The equipment was shipped in on three flatbed trailers from the east coast, and settled into the custom made building just across the driveway from Anne and Marc's home. With a flock of sheep up the hill, and dreams of wool, the mill started spinning yarn for local shepherds and knitters. 

Kirsten and Matt joined the family in 2025. For Kirsten it was the completion of a dream that had begun in the early 2000's, when she and her mother visited the mill while dropping off fleeces from their six sheep. Anne graciously showed them around the mill, sharing her love of the machinery, and her passion for her work. Then she sold them some of her yarn and patterns. Kirsten and her mother (Pam) still have *so many* cones of yarn from their small flock of sheep that were all processed by Anne at the mill back in the early 2000's. Matt loves to proudly wear his vintage wool while working in the mill making new yarn for sale. 

Matt and Kirsten have both spent a good chunk of their working lives in customer service roles, and Matt has a real passion for sales - when he believes in the product. You can feel his excitement when he talks about the yarn he makes, and the items Kirsten creates with that yarn. Kirsten has a deep respect for wool, and loves to wax poetic about the marvels of this magic material. She also believes in creating items with utility that are at times elegant and simple or goofy and wild. Thus, you should expect to see yarns that swing to both ends of the spectrum - irreverant and inspired to classic and sophisticated. 

Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill, looking to the future, hopes to take its cues from the wool that drives it. Expect to see a push toward zero waste - just as every part of a sheep is useful we hope to make use of everything coming in and going out of our mill, and watch for a move toward renewable energy sources that can work in tandem with a flock of sheep. Another piece we hope to take directly from the sheep is Joy. Joy in our work, and joy in your experiences with us and with our products.