We didn't get a chance to go last year and I could swear, there were more people there this time than the last time. Even though we got on the road a little later than we wanted to, a good time was had by all.
Since we've been to the festival before, we wanted to focus on things we hadn't seen. One of those things was seeing a sheep shorn. Let me tell you, watching this woman handle that sheep was very impressive. She moved him around like he didn't even weight anything.
Now, before I left the house I made a list so that I wouldn't stray. We all know how easy that is to do. I am happy to report that I got everything I went for and I didn't even have to pull out the credit card. Here are all my great buys.
The drop spindle is from Turnstyles, handcrafted by Bill Hardy. The beautiful fiber underneath (the picture does not do it justice. You just have to see it to believe it.) is cashmere & silk from Chameleon Colorworks. My hand carders are from Strauch Fiber Equipment Co. Last but not least, when I buy my fiber, I like to deal with sheep owners directly. A lot of times by doing this you get better prices on your fiber and boy did I get a great bargain. I also do it because all this time we thought I was allergic to wool, but it turns out by learning to spin it wasn't the wool I was allergic to but what they treat the wool with. I still don't wear it next to my skin, but my resistance level is much better than it use to be.
Anyway, here I have 1 pound of Border Leicester Midnight Black and 1 pound of Border Leicester and Cormo combed top in the color called Snow Drift. Both of these rovings are in their natural colors. They feel really nice, especially the one with the Cormo, it's like butter. I can't wait to spin it. I also bought 2 packets of dye from Barneswallow Farm. I'm trying to get up enough nerve to dye my fiber which is something I've never done before.
On another note, here's an update on my split-neckline tee from Fitted Knits. I'm almost done so I'm very happy. I should have been further along, but I was doing some finishing work for my lys.
Last but not least, I updated the layout/format of my page. Hope you like.
6 comments:
Thanks for the pictures. It looks like you got some great stuff! The split neckline tee is coming along nicely.
Great haul! Good job keeping to the list. I am so bad I would never be able to. I just love those fibers, the cashmere/silk looks so slippery! I can't wait to hear how they spin up.
Wool festival sounds like fun:-) We have sheep ourselves, but I've never gotten around to do any spinning:-( We hire a man to shear them, I've done it a couple of times myself, and that is hard work when you haven't gotten the right technique!
I like your Tee too.
Fabulous split neckline tee...
I've never been to MS&W or seen a sheep shorn - maybe next year I will have to go!
Interesting to know.
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