First Anniversary: Camel Wool?

Today is our first wedding anniversary. The funny thing about waiting so many years (6) to get married is that we feel like we should have started counting a long time ago. I don’t know much about traditions celebrating wedding anniversaries, but I do know that the first anniversary usually involves a gift of paper. We’re working on getting ourselves something paper-related (I’ll post more on that eventually) but in the interim, I think camel wool makes a fine substitute!

Yes, I finally managed to procure some camel wool yarn! It took three trips to the shop of a little old woman who sells knitted and felted goods, but I finally bought several skeins. Handmade and mass-produced camel wool products (vests, sweaters, socks, slippers, etc.) are now widely available in Ulaanbaatar but it’s next to impossible to find yarn. I was really happy to get it. I also learned recently that some companies are now producing yak wool garments (I’ve seen sweaters, sweater vests, and scarves). Yak wool seems quite soft- closer to cashmere than sheep or camel wool. I’d love to get my hands on some of the raw stuff, but I think the chances are slim. Maybe I should start a Mongolian yarn import company. Yak and camel yarn for all...

Also, below are some cool handmade products we bought at the black market as gifts. First is a baby vest, lined with (faux) fur and second is a pair of felt slippers. I love Mongolian felted products.




And, for those who were hankering for a photo of John in front of the Oakland Disco Bar, voila!