World Sheep &Wool Festival: Bethel, MO

This Labor Day weekend I finally had my chance to visit the World Sheep and Wool Fesival in Bethel, MIssouri! ( And it only took 14years on my wish list to accomplish...) It was a bit of a last minute decision, so I didn't get to register for classes as I would have liked. Turns out it was a very small crowd this year. Partly due to finally getting the first hard rain of the Summer. Several instructors were not able to come because of flooding risk at their farms. With a cool misty rain all weekend, I was set to just get through it and mark this one off my ever growing list. Despite the odds, as usual at a fiber event, I had a great time!

The one class I was able to get into was Liz Mitcho's nearly famous "Dye your Buns" workshop. I've heard so many people talking about it, I grabbed the chance to sit in.

We played with overdyeing using the same dye on various color commercial yarns (much like we did in Peggy Doney's Triad class -see earlier post).

This is the method where you apply the dye, wrap in plastic wrap, roll into a colorful cinnamon roll like swirl and then microwave for a couple minutes. I was amazed that the fiber rinsed completely clear afterwards. The results were pretty great for being so low-tech!

 



 

 

 

 

Then we went over several methods of applying color to both yarns and roving. I think even I would be willing to attempt this at home. Thanks Liz!

Of course there were plenty of animals to look at and pet. I wanted so badly to bring home an angora rabbit - or three!

There were numerous sheep breeds, but no goats this year. Little tykes doing their best at mutton bustin'. Auctions throughout the day. The best lamburgers I've ever tasted by the local FFA. Then there was also plenty of time to sit in the tent and just enjoy spinning up some of my new purchases.



 

Shopping is always a given at these events. I was there along with Darlene and Judy of 'A Twist in Time', so that was our focus. The rain didn't help us, it gave new meaning to the term 'floating floor' in many booths. While we were all grateful to be under a tent, the fact that it was yellow made all the gorgeous colors off. But, we are fiber people and know how to make do! Vendors willingly allowed us to trott our selections outside for quick color checks. Given the circumstances, I thought everyone did a great job of not complaining or getting flustered. I met several new vendors and bought plenty of souvenirs.

Below is just one part of the Yarn Geek's roving display-along with some of her Shetland roving that found its way home with me.

There is more to tell of the weekend- including some other purchasing I did. That's enough for yet another post. I don't know if I will get back to Bethel again or not (so many good places on my list to see!) but I am glad for the chance to go at least once.

 

 

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Skunk Fiber??

Okay, I know it really isn't skunk fiber, but will admit that was my first laughing reaction to it in the vendor's display. But then I couldn't walk away. I kept twisting and turning the package wondering what it might turn into?

Since then I have had a fascination with striped roving. Not sure if it's just that I am suddenly seeing it, or if there really is more of it being produced. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Either way, I am having so much fun seeing what they want to become. And the more I spin them, the more I learn. I am finally making myself a bit more intentional about what I spin. Rather than just spinning whatever comes out, I am challenging myself to focus on what I want and why a yarn is doing whatever it is doing. (I know I'm rather slow to this game, but at least I am working on it!)

So back to the stripes. I started spinning with one drafting technique-until my hands got tired. I switched to a different handhold using basically (I thought) the same spinning method. I am prone to a sort of modified long draw for the most part. When I started drafting with my dominant hand for a change,my yarn changed as well! I called it a "pinch and pop draft" and the results were a very pretty striped appearance. I was shocked...and pleased. I had to keep playing!

It took me some time to equate the results with the way I was drafting, but I got there. Suddenly, I was able to switch from one color to the next in determined increments, or 'barber-pole" the colors or even combine them into a heathered appearance at will...MY will not the fibers'.

It was one of those "ah ha" moments our teachers live for! The yarn isn't anything particularly stunning but the lessons learned while producing it? Priceless

I have several more of these striped beauties in my collection that I will share from time to time. I have actually been on the hunt for them. If you have ideas of ways you have used them, please share.

 

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It's a Wash!

I have had quite a revelation lately, one that all properly instructed handspinners should have down pat.

Always wash your yarn before evaluating or using it! Duh, right?

Not being critical of anyone who's had a hand in my spinning journey, but I'd never seen the difference until lately.

These 3 skeins were all spun as close as possible to the same, at around the same time. Can you tell which have been washed? (Please note, that none of them have been weighted while drying.)

Shetland skeins

These are from a beautiful Shetland roving from my friend Mary Limpus. I am hoping to weave them into a shawl on my tri-loom! It is so tempting to dye them, but I think the natural variegation of the fleece itself will be design enough..

So it's off to the wash room for this lone skein!

 

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