I love have always loved the Sheep & Wool festival, but love it even more now that I am involved in spinning and weaving!
We were there for over 4 hours on Saturday. Walked through all of the vendors, had some yummy lamb sausage and kabobs, saw the sheep dog demo and got to see some of my favorite sheep - Icelandic, Gotland, Shetland and the adorable little Soay!
There is just so much there for the fibre enthusiast, but I have to say that I am glad that knitting does not interest me as the vast amount of lovely yarn there would really cause me to have a meltdown. As it was, I was able to focus on spinning and weaving items. Above is the Golding drop spindle that my BF bought for me. If you have not seen their items before, I highly recommend you click the name and check out the site. True artisans (make sure you look at the looms and wheels as well, they are breathtaking)!
We were there for over 4 hours on Saturday. Walked through all of the vendors, had some yummy lamb sausage and kabobs, saw the sheep dog demo and got to see some of my favorite sheep - Icelandic, Gotland, Shetland and the adorable little Soay!
There is just so much there for the fibre enthusiast, but I have to say that I am glad that knitting does not interest me as the vast amount of lovely yarn there would really cause me to have a meltdown. As it was, I was able to focus on spinning and weaving items. Above is the Golding drop spindle that my BF bought for me. If you have not seen their items before, I highly recommend you click the name and check out the site. True artisans (make sure you look at the looms and wheels as well, they are breathtaking)!
My bargain of the day was a 7.5 pound cone of lime green rug wool. Yes, over seven pounds of obnoxious color! The price was an excellent $21 and I love lime, so really, I could not go home with out it.
While there, we talked for quite a bit to a gentleman who has an Icelandic sheep farm. He gave us some great info on sheep raising in general and Icelandics in particular. From his stand we purchased a pound of rich brown roving, a black Icelandic pelt that is so amazingly soft (for in the new Viking tent), and the adorable supported spindle to the left that is shaped like an acorn! (I love oak trees so this find was a delight).
In addition to my new Icelandic pelt (to the far left in this photo), my BF purchased the center one this weekend at the festival. It is a Lincoln Longwool and had lovely shading and you can just dig your fingers into it. On the right, is the Merino pelt he purchased at the Shenandoah Valley Fibre Fest last fall.
Are you in the Mid-Atlantic area and have not been to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival? I highly recommend it for next year, it is worth the drive if you are into any type of fibre arts!
Are you in the Mid-Atlantic area and have not been to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival? I highly recommend it for next year, it is worth the drive if you are into any type of fibre arts!
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