• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Studio
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

A Visit to the Yak Ranch

September 8, 2015 4 Comments

The Bijou Basin Ranch yaks enjoy some hay! - Take a look inside the yaks' lives in this mini documentary.

In a past life, I thought I was going to be a documentary filmmaker. Did the internship, the film classes – all of that. While I still LOVE documentary films, I know that career path isn’t for me. However, I do love a documentary style of storytelling, so when the opportunity presented itself for me to visit a working yak ranch that produces fiber that’s used to make yarn, I realized I could tap into my documentary roots to share a fascinating glimpse into this unique corner of the world.

Heidi from Hands Occupied visits the Bijou Basin Ranch yaks in Colorado. - Take a look inside the yaks' lives in this mini documentary.

Of course, the farm I visited was the Bijou Basin Ranch, the yarn company I recently worked with to do the Delta Hat Knit Along. It was sheer serendipity that my husband I and were visiting Denver for a brief getaway recently. When I mentioned our trip to the Bijou folks, they said they’d be delighted to have us out to “meet the kids”. Take a look at this mini documentary about our experience getting to know the herd.

The Bijou Basin Ranch yaks enjoy some quality pasture time! - Take a look inside the yaks' lives in this mini documentary.

Click for a larger version of this photo.

The Bijou Basin Ranch yaks enjoy some hay! - Take a look inside the yaks' lives in this mini documentary.

As I say in the video, this was one of the most special animal encounters I’ve ever experienced. Could you imagine this being your everyday life? While I don’t think I’ll leave the library and big city behind anytime soon, I think I’ll need to make more mini docs about different corners of the yarn world like this. The best part? The more I make, the less rusty I’ll get! Stay tuned. :)

The Bijou Basin Ranch yaks enjoy some treats! - Take a look inside the yaks' lives in this mini documentary.

Filed Under: Knit Along, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: bbrhandsoccupied, bijou basin, bijou basin ranch, deltahatkal, Knitting, mini docs, yak ranch, yaks, yarn

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is an artist, author and crafts designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame. In addition to running the Hands Occupied Blog and Pattern Shop, you can find her making videos & co-hosting the Very Serious Crafts podcast.

Previous Post: « Picks of the Week
Next Post: September Sponsor Spotlight »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • Yak Yarn!Yak Yarn!
  • It’s the Delta Hat Knit Along!It’s the Delta Hat Knit Along!
  • The Delta Hat is here, let’s celebrate with a knit along!The Delta Hat is here, let’s celebrate with a knit along!
  • Picks of the WeekPicks of the Week

DON’T MISS ANOTHER UPDATE

Comments

  1. Julie

    September 9, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    that is so cool, I’m so jealous you got to hang out at the BB Ranch, those yaks are super cute.

    Reply
  2. Roslyn Mulloy

    September 11, 2015 at 6:41 am

    I had the pleasure of meeting Eileen last September
    At Salida Fiber Festival. Used yak and bamboo mix to make a shawette by Stephen West, Bone yard. Love the yarn!

    Reply
  3. Roslyn Mulloy

    September 11, 2015 at 6:44 am

    I had the pleasure of meeting Eileen last year in Salida CO. I have made a shawette with the yak and bamboo mix. So soft.

    Reply
  4. Cindy

    September 12, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    Loved the video! Loved the content! Looking forward to the next.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Julie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

work with heidi

UPDATES BY EMAIL

Get a free pattern + biweekly updates sent to your inbox.

Let’s be friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. / #latchhookbook out now!
.
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s ab There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s about how I’m going to take the next 2 weeks off to rest & recharge. ☺️🧶 No new content for y’all means I can also take a moment to zoom out & plan what’s next. Link is in bio. 
.
.
A note on Very Serious Crafts: In the post I discuss stepping away from the @seriouscrafts podcast to give myself more time to devote to some minor medical issues. Don’t you worry - my health will be fine, & @molliejohanson @redhandledscissors and I are still pals, and after a short break of their own, the podcast will be back! Just sans moi. 💁🏼‍♀️😆 
.
.
See you in a couple weeks! ✌🏻#handsoccupied #knitdesign #craftdesign #sofadedsweater
Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it shoul Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it should be. ☺️🎄The past few days have been filled with a lot of catching up on festive zoom calls & raising toasts to the camera. 🥂 Connecting with people has been a welcome change of pace! Now I’m feeling ready to meet my inevitable end-of-year deadlines. 😆
.
.
Warmest wishes for the season, my friends! ❤️💛💙
Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker beh Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker behind Hands Occupied! 👋🏻 I’ve been enjoying making Reels a lot lately, but I wanted to bop in to share a regular photo & say hello. 🤓 
.
.
rather than giving you my bio right now, I have a question. I just got this new sweater & I can’t stop imaging how funny it would be to wear this to a knitting class ... is that bad? 🤣🤣🤣
.
.
Pictured: a blond woman with glasses wearing a sweater that reads “all your sweaters are ugly” standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is o Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow (non-Reel!) video tutorial! Catch the tutorial on YouTube or the Hands Occupied Blog, link is in bio. 🧶 #handsoccupied #stopswatchandblockit #KPAmbassadorsDec20 #sponsored
Had to share this perfect capture of one of my fav Had to share this perfect capture of one of my favorite weird homemade Christmas ornaments: a simple macramé Santa face with beads for the eyes and nose! My Great-Grandma made it too. 🎄
.
Might have to try making a quickie Reel tutorial for this guy - I think it’s the perfect project for it, don’t you? 🎅🏼 #handsoccupied #macrame
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy