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Explore how women's hands shaped the history of the American West, crafting both survival and art in every stitch!

Join Exclusive Tours and Wyoming Yarn & Fiber on Saturday, March 8th at 2p.m. for a Deluxe Tours & Toddies event at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This program features author and expert craftswoman Dr. Karen Penders St. Clair who will guide participants in exploring the history and modern role of Women's Handwork in the West.

Karen is a history enthusiast and fourth-generation needleworker proficient in knitting, crochet, many forms of embroidery and other handwork. She received her doctorate from Cornell University and is a contributing author to Piecework Magazine, a leading publication that explores the history of needlework and the stories of traditional makers.

Karen will take program participants back in time as she recounts the twists and turns involved in deciphering a knitting pattern that dates to the late 1800s. Like many handwork crafts, this knitted-mitten pattern connected five generations of family members.

During the program, Exclusive Tours staff will bring groups of participants behind the scenes to view handwork treasures from our own Center of the West vaults. Using this family heirloom pattern and artifacts from the Center of the West's collections, Karen weaves the story of women bringing handwork traditions westward as they searched for new lives.

Tickets for this program include the guest s choice of receiving either a knitting kit or a crochet kit curated by Karista Low, owner of Cody's own Wyoming Yarn & Fiber. These kits feature 100g of 100% American grown and processed yarn from Nature Spun along with the necessary handwork tools for each project. The knitting kit includes the step-by-step instructions for Karen's "Lost Mitten" pattern while the crochet kit includes instructions for a shawl pattern that Karen recreated from a historic costume in the Whitney Western Art Museum's collection. Please indicate your kit preference in the "Exclsuive Tours Comments" screen that comes up as you're checking out.

After the main program ends, participants can try their own hand at recreating historic textiles with these curated handcraft kits. A variety of teas, small desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for participants to enjoy during this crafting time.

Spots are limited at this Deluxe Tours & Toddies!

If you have any questions before you arrive, please contact us at 307-254-7073 or [email protected].