While we’re in Alaska for our Knitting Retreat, we’ll be visiting the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer—a stop that beautifully ties into the heart of our adventure. This remarkable farm is home to a herd of musk oxen, iconic animals that have adapted perfectly to Alaska’s cold and rugged landscape. These gentle creatures are famous for their warm, soft undercoats called quiviet, a rare and luxurious fiber we’ll be using in one of our retreat projects.
Among the farm’s standout residents is Bumblebee, a spirited young musk ox with a mischievous side. Known for her occasional playful charges, Bumblebee is being mentored by her grandma, Rue, and a few other older ladies in the herd. They’re helping her grow into a polite (well, sort of!) musk ox, and their camaraderie is a joy to witness.
During our visit to the farm, we’ll meet Bumblebee and the rest of the herd, learn about the quiviet harvesting process, and experience firsthand the connection between these remarkable animals and the luxurious fiber that will be part of our retreat project. The Musk Ox Farm plays an essential role in preserving quiviet and its deep roots in Alaska’s indigenous culture.
As part of our retreat itinerary, we’ll also be working with 100% quiviet yarn from the farm to create a cozy, luxurious knitting project. This fiber is as warm as it is soft, and using it allows us to connect to Alaska’s natural beauty and history while creating something truly special.
We can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with you—Bumblebee, quiviet, and all the beauty Alaska has to offer. If you’re ready to knit, explore, and connect with the spirit of this incredible place, we’d love for you to join us on this adventure. Spaces are filling up fast, so don’t miss out on being a part of this one-of-a-kind retreat. We hope to see you in Alaska!