Millcast Episode 18: How We Met: The Full Story

[@natalyakaganovich5604]

Thank you so much for sharing your story - it now makes sense why you two have such an amazing relationship. Dear Peg, what a horrific ordeal you went through. Thank you for sharing ❤ And thank you for not hating Russian people. I am Russian by birth and moved to the US in 1996. All of my Russian family are still in Russia. Ever since the invasion of Ukraine, I’ve been feeling a mix of horror, disbelief, and shame. I am so glad you and Amanda found each other and created your amazing mill! Love your products and your podcast!

[@Kdbiddle]

Jumped back from your future episode. Phew!! Not me over here crying listening to your story. How wonderful your friendship is. Thank you for sharing!

[@JasWong]

Thank you for sharing your incredible story. It's easy to see you are family. Beautiful. Someone is cutting onions nearby...darn onions.

[@manicspinner1959]

Glad to hear about the Banshees. I wasn't going to watch it until you mentioned the sweaters...

[@junctionfibermill]

The location is also stunning. The story? On the sad side....

[@Scout1052]

I’ve watched from your first podcast and thought you were both so brave to launch into such a huge adventure. This chapter described today puts a whole new light on your relationship. Brought tears to my eyes. Just so thankful Peg made it home, healed, and the two of you bonded over raising sheep and producing yarn… in your very own mill. Keep it up. God bless.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks so much!

[@bgbaltuth]

I am so amazed that you had all this happen to you and you are who you are! AMAZING! And you are healthy and really wonderful. Both of you are amazing. All of us who get to watch and see and purchase your yarn are the really lucky ones.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks!

[@JennyFleming]

Thanks for sending us back to hear your story of Russia. I pray you are enjoying your trip to Estonia.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you!

[@drea3556]

New subscriber here. From having your yarn at the Wooly Thistle and I got to thinking how you both met. I cried and touched as to your story. Peg what a woman you are. ❤ so glad your sister never left your side and you are where you are now. Much success to you both and love your yarns. Hope to get to the mill.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Hope to see you here in VT!

[@sunnyw4148]

Just found you on a friend's recommendation. Now I am going back and watching your podcasts from the beginning. Glad you are both healthy and have each other.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks!

[@blahblah13625]

Wishing Montgomery was just a little closer…I would have applied before you even had a position! You two are the best. Thanks so much for sharing your story. As a mom and night shift RN I definitely take my knitting with me every where every time. You never regret that extra bag!

[@angielatvaitis2624]

An incredible story. A new podcast watcher and I’m re-watching the millcasts. Thank you for sharing. Love your bond and enjoying learning about the mill and about you both as humans. I wished I lived closer, from Michigan, but you are now a destination I would love to visit.❤❤

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you for watching and your kind words! Come on out to VT! 😊

[@maureenholian1560]

Hi Peggy and Amanda, You both look great and are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your very special story of how you both met and your special bond!!What a terrible accident you had but happy you made a good recovery Peg! Happy Wellness and making Yarn Anniversary! Take care! Happy Knitting!

[@junctionfibermill]

Maureen, thank you. Peg

[@julieknitsandspins]

😭 I cried. I’m just going to carry the story of you two in my heart for as long as I can. Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you, Julie

[@naomistone4351]

What an incredibly beautiful story of true friendship and love! Enjoy your millcast so much!

[@sandypariseau5461]

What an incredible story and thank you for sharing it. It helps explain the obvious care you each have for the other and the wonderful camaraderie you share. So thankful you got the care you needed Peg and that you are still with us. I am new to your Millcast and am binging thru from the first to now. Thank you for all you do.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@olive5890]

So happy to hear of your full recovery! I admire you Peg for being such a dynamic and vibrant woman. Big hug 🤗

[@tinacecil5080]

What a beautiful story so heartwarming almost had tears in my eyes just listening you girls are fantastic. Thank you.

[@junctionfibermill]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sbedwards100]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am happy that I found the Junction Fiber Mill.

[@junctionfibermill]

We are too!

[@julylo755]

What a dramatic and difficult experience.... that had such a beautiful silver lining in your friendship. Thanks for sharing.

[@daniellejohnson3364]

Incredible story! Thank you for sharing and wish you many more years of friendship and good health 🌄

[@karenr2874]

Thank you for this beautiful amazing story of friendship, love. and the family you choose. ❤

[@Purlykitten]

❤Thank you for telling this amazing story of friendship and fiber. Really wonderful how such a traumatic health situation resulted in a story of love and growth.

[@loribarrett5801]

What an incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I'm so glad you have recovered successfully, Peg. And, grateful that you found each other.

[@leahball4784]

What a beautiful story--it brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful that you found each other in a true hour of need and have been able to support each other ever since!

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks Leah!

[@carolgauthier9553]

I knit the Stockholm Slipover with some Finn yarn. It's a great pattern and I enjoy the vest. Peg, that is an incredible story. You are a lucky person in so many ways.

[@junctionfibermill]

Lucky indeed. And I kid you not - I live a grateful life.

[@olgaolach9823]

What an incredible story! Like so many others I was so moved by it. I listened to it not so much as a knitter but from the perspective of an ICU nurse which made it even more profound for me. I took care of many patients with head injuries like yours, I understand what you went through and what it took to recover to the level you have. And serendipity of having found each other at just the right time in your lives! ❤ Just amazing. Inspiring. You are both the “ salt of the earth”. Thank you for sharing and by doing so, instilling faith that there is still so much good in the world. 💞

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you Olga! So appreciate your kind words.

[@lindacanfieldchamberlain2073]

Great podcast as always. Thank you for sharing your story. It clearly was an emotional, important time for you both. Wishing you much continued success!!

[@caitlinjohnson9945]

This is such a special story - thanks so much for sharing! I also really resonated with Amanda's here-and-there comments about life before kids! Best wishes to you both at the mill and on the farms! Caitlin (from the Woolly Thistle)

[@junctionfibermill]

Hi Caitlin, thank you. P + A

[@kellykoehle9120]

I've been watching since you started the millcast, and I look forward to it each week. This was, by far, the best episode because it explained the wonderful chemistry that you two have together. I love that such a wonderful relationship came from such a calamity. Be well and good luck with sheering.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks Kelly!

[@darlenesmith9542]

Well I already loved you both, but after your heartfelt story my love has deepen. So happy you have fully recovered Peggy. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@junctionfibermill]

Darlene, thank you.

[@Honeybeana]

Riveting personal story. Thank you for sharing it. I am also making the same pullover. Can’t wait to see your result.

[@lizatraut]

So inspiring- what beautiful people you are.

[@heidishomestead9475]

I was so moved by your story! What a harrowing ordeal, Peg. I'm so glad that you're still with us and that your paths crossed with Amanda to bring you where you both are today! What an incredible bond you have. Sending love and best wishes.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you, Heidi!

[@aprilhume362]

What an amazing, touching story. Thank you for sharing something so terrible, frightening and yet inspirational all at the same time. Beautiful ❤️

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you, April!

[@kymdelmar9304]

Loved hearing how you two got together, and am so glad it all worked out so well.

[@junctionfibermill]

Us too!

[@margie7063]

Your story touched my heart. You are both incredible women! ❤️🧶🐑❤️

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you so much!

[@apriljem]

What an amazing story. Peg, so glad you have completely recovered. I just discovered your podcast today , a little sad that I am too late for the Millbox 😢. But I will be shopping your fiber for sure.

[@TheAutumnAcornKnits]

This was incredibly heartwarming to watch, thank you!! Greetings from a fellow podcaster from New Hampshire! xoxo Judy

[@junctionfibermill]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@judithmullin390]

One of my favorite movies to watch for both the content and knitwear is the BBC Northern Ireland production “My Mother and Other Strangers.” This well-done PBS drama has beautiful and unique knitwear especially for the daughter Emma. On another topic - What a Junction Fiber Mill episode! As other viewers have commented, this episode explains so much. Thank you for sharing your incredible and heartwarming story.

[@junctionfibermill]

You're welcome! And thanks for the knitwear tip.

[@melanietowner5870]

What a heartfelt story❤️thank you for sharing

[@jenniferbruskiewitz3500]

Wow Peg what an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing with us!! I'm always amazed how the people we need come into our lives at the exact time we need them. My daughter and I happened to drive by last summer and stopped in, so glad we did. Love the yarn and love the millcast!

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you, Jennifer

[@marybutz7687]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is fully a testimony to how awesome God is and how he brings things together in his time for his purposes.❤

[@AnneSevery]

Wow. That story was so impactful. I think you should write the story and submit it to one of the fiber magazines. There were so many leaps of faith from both of you. I am blown away with Peg's ability to recover and start a new business that is both physically and mentally challenging. You two are BEASTS!! Oh, and Amanda, I noticed your new hair color and cut right when the millcast started! You look so bright and cheerful and ready to bring on spring! Onward, ladies!!

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks Anne!

[@CathySocialFibre]

This has been the best episode ever x thank you so much for sharing and inspiring x

[@junctionfibermill]

So glad!

[@Christi78knits]

Thank you for sharing your story! I love that your paths crossed and that you were able to be there for each other. I echo others sentiments of the joy you bring after such a horrific experience.❤❤❤

[@junctionfibermill]

Yes! Thank you!

[@jpat7726]

Wow, what an experience to have to go through in a foreign country! So glad you fully recovered and were able to start the mill. It's nice to see the friendship between the two of you. Great team!

[@Meredith36]

Wow! I just came from your most recent episode and am blown away by you two. You are extraordinary people. Happy knitting 💚🧶💚

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you so much!

[@helenconnors8902]

What a beautiful story and what lovely people you both are. Thank you for making such a great Millcast.

[@cynthiaspear-duncan7661]

What an amazing story! Kudos to you both and such great news of your recovery and friendship. so grateful for your relationship.

[@mariannehobart5537]

Had to come back after hearing your friendship story as it now makes complete sense about why you and Amanda are so good together on the mill cast . What a blessing, Peggy, that all the right people came into your life at just the right moment. Amazing! Wishing you continued good health!

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you so very much.

[@carinanderson8239]

When I worked at Disney, they have a knitting group called the Blanketeers ( started by Annette Funiccello). They knit and crochet for charity. I spent many a happy lunch hour knitting and crocheting with my co-workers.

[@junctionfibermill]

What a great Disney insight! Love it.

[@barbara-qi7iu]

Such a moving story and told so movingly. On the matter of sweaters in shows, All Creatures Great and Small on PBS has wonderful fair isle and other vests. One vest from a pattern I made in the mid-1970s (!) appeared using the palette suggested in the original pattern and that I also used. My husband still has the sweater!

[@junctionfibermill]

Barbara, send us a picture of the vest!!

[@RosiePlichta-gn8wq]

I read that article this weekend about Delia Barry, and then watched "The Banshees of Inisherin" to see the sweaters. The movie was not what I expected(!), but very good, and the scenery was so great. What an adventure for you both, but an auspicious beginning! The knits are really good on PBS Father Brown Mysteries--Mrs. McCarthy wears some beautiful hand knit cardigans.

[@junctionfibermill]

Rosie, thanks for the PBS tip!

[@kathyzawadzki941]

What an incredible inspiring story. Nothing but the best for the both of you and your business.

[@katherinef7249]

Such a wonderful friendship. Thank you for sharing your incredible story .

[@tinacarlos2530]

Thank you for sharing your story. ❤ so grateful you are in each other’s lives! ❤ Incredibly happy result! I love Chris Evan’s sweater from Knives Out and Nakia’s shawl from Black Panther. In TV’s PBS Shetland and All Creatures - both series have gorgeous knitwear! Also “Only Murders in the building” has a lead character who knits. Mabel has the great sweaters!

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you Tina. And thanks for the movie sweaters!

[@shamszakhour6076]

That is a truly amazing story.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks. It's not an easy story to tell. P

[@ScrappyCruiserNR]

*Bawling* Thank you for sharing that story. You are both so inspirational.

[@dianetetz438]

Thank you for sharing the story of how you met and the Junction Fiber Mill came to be! Quite the plot twist for the first chapter! Happy Wellness Anniversary Peggy...Wishing you continued good health. 🐑💗🐑

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks Diane!

[@janetd6445]

The new windows will be so wonderful, what an exciting upgrade! Thank you for sharing the full story of your friendship. I think one of the things that makes the millcast so engaging is the great rapport between you, now it’s apparent how that came to be.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you, Janet

[@linniealtman7344]

Heart warming 🥰

[@judithtaylor6916]

You are both amazing ❤❤❤❤

[@junctionfibermill]

Why, thank you.

[@kristiwood2926]

Oh my goodness, what an amazing story of how your relationship began! Loved that you shared it with us all ❤

[@jolager]

I’m catching up on all the mill casts and it was great to hear your story of how you met. I’m looking forward to find out how you decided to go into business together.

[@christinebrown6154]

That was an amazing story. How wonderful that it all turned out so well. Thank you for sharing 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@lauriew6623]

gosh, as if i didn't already love you guys! truly inspirational 🥰

[@annmorris6732]

That’s it for today………That was awesome!!

[@junctionfibermill]

We understand.....

[@manicspinner1959]

What a great story. Totally brought tears to my eyes. Wow wow wow wow Happy anniversary

[@dianam4778]

That’s an incredible story! I’m so glad you’re ok, Peg. I met you at Vogue and I had no idea. ❤

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks, P

[@bags-by-carol]

OH my -- your story was so touching and I'd read part of your story on your website or blog -- I've experienced the overseas hospital experience, but not to your extent to be sure and SO glad you survived and are ok. It makes me love you both all the more to learn about your resiliency and friendship. You are both such an amazing team and I feel very lucky to know you both through your podcast and mill. 😍 ... and even more lucky to have scored a millbox for the next year. ❤❤❤

[@katysacher8293]

What an amazing story! Thank you for sharing. It warmed my heart. Continue to stay healthy. You two are amazing friends to one another 💙💜

[@beachbum9851]

Oh my gosh, Peggy! I knew about your fall in Russia, but to hear you speak of it in detail is horrifying. What a miracle that you have fully recovered!

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks. As I said, I live a very grateful life!

[@zena-knittingbeans7973]

Oh my that was emotional 🥲. So glad you found each other & Peggy is fully recovered. Such a great team! 😊🙏

[@gitte5281]

Thank you for sharing your amazing story! Such a beautiful ending!

[@gailweeks4334]

My Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia group was The Wool Gatherers, a sixteenth century term for the women of the UK who would walk around harvesting the bits of wool left behind by the sheep when they rubbed up against the hedgerows and fences. My current group in Calgary, Alberta is aptly named: The Chicks With Stix. I think there was definitely a plan in place to put you both together in life and I'm so glad it all worked out for you!!!!

[@Tinkergrumpybuns]

I just have no words after hearing your story. So happy things turned out more than well , and the mill was born!

[@junctionfibermill]

Gail, we love the names of your groups!! Thanks for sharing. Yes, things seem to happen for a reason.

[@virginiaanderson8875]

Here it is a year later and I found this- I have been watching for a long time and always wondered how it all developed. Continued health to you Peg (and also lucky to be near “Dartmouth - Hitchcock)and now Amanda has two little ones - life is good🙏 32:01

[@melissaallen7930]

Knitting group-going on 18 years - we're the Knit Wits!

[@BarbaraHaig]

Your story is such a combination of heart and soul - so glad you've come out on the good side of this! By the way, the audio on the Millcast is incredible!

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks Barb!

[@ChristineDorsey1]

Wow, what a story! Peg, you are amazing and Amanda (also amazing) was clearly meant to arrive when she did. And the mill was meant to arrive when it did. Thank you both so much for sharing a very personal story. Can’t wait to see how this chapter plays out 😍

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks Christine!

[@karenbaker6686]

wow. Tears all around! You guys have inspiration for your own movie!..I have been enjoying the knitwear on the current season of James Herriots story! Also My life up til now, or something like that and the Cider House Rules has some cool knitwear from an earlier time

[@junctionfibermill]

Cider House Rules! Peg loves that movie and doesn't remember the knitwear. We'll have to check that out.

[@marybethkress4859]

What a fascinating story, Peg! With such a happy ending, thank goodness. I’ll watch your podcasts in a whole new light. Just curious, will you be using the new scouring facility near the Battenkill Mill? It’s under the Hudson Valley Textile Project management. I’m friends with Mary Jeanne Packer and know that it is a much anticipated facility. Again, thank you for sharing your story.

[@junctionfibermill]

Hi Mary Beth - we have been keeping an eye on the progress of the scouring facility! We do hope it gives us a solution for some of our work.

[@mariannehobart5537]

Not exactly a movie but the new PBS All Creatures Great & Small series is a feast for the eyes in vintage 1940s era knitwear. I have started knitting a couple fair isle vests and cardigans from that series/time period.

[@junctionfibermill]

Great suggestion! Thanks.

[@woodsandwool]

What an incredible story! Thank you so much for sharing. 🩷

[@estherrubin867]

What an emotionally fraught experience, Peg. Thank you for sharing this deeply personal and life-changing event. You are loved Peg, and knowing that gave you so much strength to persevere. Your good health is truly a blessing. Amanda, you and your husband showed what values you live by as you stepped in to basically help strangers through a very tough time. If someone wrote this as a story arc for a book or movie, people would say…….this is a work of fiction and could never happen in real life. The stars aligned and all the right people were brought together at the right time. Wishing you both continued good health and success.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thank you Esther

[@Yarnloveturtle]

So deeply touching💙! Thank you for sharing your story.

[@valeriea.gladstone6440]

Hugo has some great knits. Especially the lead children!

[@carinanderson8239]

If you want to see a lot of hand knit and crochet in film, check out Call the Midwife. It's a series that takes place in the suburbs of London in the late 50's to 60's and there's so much knitwear and crochet that for a crafter like me it can be distracting. I will be looking at the cute baby sweater, tea cozy, knit skirt-jacket ensemble and totally miss the dialogue and have to rewind. It's an excellent show, too.

[@jaynejones4312]

What an incredible story of your friendship. Life certainly does love to throw curveballs at us.

[@maggie2sticks717]

Hi Ladies! What an amazing story of how you met and how Peg survived her Russian Ordeal. It would make a really amazing book. While not a movie, I like the knitwear in Call The Midwives, especially pre-1960s. Mrs. Buckle even owns a store that sells notions and fabrics and there is a wall of yarn, which they just call "wool." I adore the sweaters on the newest version of All Creatures Great and Small and also I remember a few sweaters from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. One of the characters wears what looks like a fisherman's sweater but in Navy and it has the teeniest hole in it to make it look wartime authentic.

[@junctionfibermill]

Love the Midwives tip! Thanks!

[@ronpeterson-fj5sr]

What a story! Also love your sweater. What is the pattern?❤️

[@junctionfibermill]

The sweater Amanda is wearing is the Vika sweater. Here's a link: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vika-2

[@saramartin3665]

HAHA I have been watching you since the fall, but I did some binge-ing this weekend of your old videos because I wanted to know how you met. It's a pet peeve of mine when people ask a question already covered on a previous vcast, so I said suck it up, get some knitting and watch - to no avail! I think somewhere I had heard farmer's market, but only as a vague reference. Then, low and behold, today's notifications "How We Met" is perfect! Great job naming the episode, because I am sure I am not alone - people will be able to find it. Congrats on the new windows. Peggy - funny I share the same highlights!! I am so sorry that you had to go through that, Peggy. Thank God for Peg's Angel Sister. I am so glad and happy for you two, for the bond and love you two share. You two epitomize passion for life and love. Best of luck with the shearing!

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks Sara.

[@kathleenr.6549]

First time watching your podcast. What a touching story! You made me teary eyed! I too noticed the hand knits in the Banshees. I also think there were good hand knits in the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society movie. I love the cable sweater. Do you remember the pattern name?

[@junctionfibermill]

Kathleen, sorry, which cable sweater are you referring too?

[@kathleenr.6549]

@@junctionfibermill sorry, I should have been clearer. I was wanting to know the pattern name of the sweater that Amanda is wearing in the video. Thanks!

[@junctionfibermill]

@@kathleenr.6549 Here's the link: brooklyntweed.com/products/vika-for-adults

[@kathleenr.6549]

@@junctionfibermill thanks for passing the information on. Have now gone back to catch up on all your old episodes and saw Amanda was wearing it on episode 6 too and it reminded to check my comment on the other episode and I saw your reply. The ironic thing is that I had already marked the same pattern as a favourite on Ravelry. Really enjoy your millcasts!

[@genier7829]

I haven't seen the movie you talked about, but I can recommend Tell Them of Us, a WW1 series with a lot of knits. There is also a video about the production of the sweaters.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks for the movie tip. We'd be curious about a video on the production of sweaters!

[@geneseeker2]

What's the pattern for the sweater Amanda is wearing. It's beautiful.

[@junctionfibermill]

It is Vika from Brooklyn Tweed: brooklyntweed.com/products/vika-for-adults

[@jilllang3679]

Wow! What a terrifying experience you had Peg. So glad all turned out OK, but what a harrowing trip to Russia! Concerning club names - our spinning group in the Lehigh Valley PA was named Second Saturday Spinners because we wanted everyone to know when our meeting was held every month! Love your millcast episodes and seeing what is going through your mill.

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks for sharing your spinning group name!

[@jilllang3679]

@@junctionfibermill Thanks for the mention this week!

[@mongrain8934]

I would love to knit a cardigan identical to the one that Ewan McGregor wears at the end of the mini serie "Halston" ...

[@junctionfibermill]

We googled and couldn't find it. ?

[@CathySocialFibre]

Hello lovely ladies xx I’m new to your podcasts and I LOVE THEM! I live here in north wales UK, and I have a craft shop where I sell my hand dyed and hand spun yarns xx I run a knitting group called “Social Fibre”. Xx

[@junctionfibermill]

Hi Cathy! So glad you found us.

[@kiwijenniferknits]

This is my first time watching your channel and I think this episode should have a rating "bring kleenex" Your sharings were amazing and I look forward to watching earlier episodes and all the future episodes to come. Thank you, be well and happy knitting❣❣❣❣

[@junctionfibermill]

Thanks Jennifer. Please know there is no need for kleenex on any of the others!