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.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

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!

 

Posted with Blogsy

I Love Yarn Day 2011!

October is a fiber rich month!  Not only is it chock full of Fall Festivals, it hosts both National Spinning and Weaving Week (Oct 3-7) and "I Love Yarn Day."  Having the day off work allowed me to actually spent my time elbow deep in fibery goodness.  Last week and today sported some pretty Fall weather, which meant spinning sessions on my front porch.

Having come back from 2 wonderful festivals, I have plenty of roving options to be working up.  I have my order in for good weather and an extended Fall season here in Missouri(at least on my days off).

 Left: an ounce of Angora/silk/mohair blend I bought at Toas, then plied with handspun ingeo                                                               Right: Alpaca/merino blend with added sari silk for color that I purchased from Ozark Carding Mill at Fiber Daze

I finally had success spinning something close to worsted (the alpaca/merino)!  An accomplishment given that I default to lace weight if I don't pay close attention.  I love how soft it turned out since I, for once, didn't strangle the single plies with overtwist.  Practice really does help - so does having good friends to mentor you...

Fiber Daze at Neosho, MO

What a weekend!  Two days of fiber fun with new and old friends.  There was lots of fur flying at the Crowder Agriculture Building in Neosho!  60+ knitters, spinners, weavers all in one place. 

Of course the vendors were wonderful.  I won't hold it against them that they way over tempted me (or show pictures of what I bought!).  We limit to Missouri fiber vendors and it always amazes me at what variety, quantity and quality we have right here.

I finally got up the nerve to join a class on knitting socks on 2 circular needles.  Now, I am a devoted DPN fan but our instructor Adrienne Rieck was great at explaining this and ....well I may consider it now.  She invited me to join the Ravelry group Year of Sock Stash.  Check out her blog:  http://www.knitandrun97.blogspot.com/.  By the end of the class I think we all had it figureed out!

The folks at Sarah Kate Fibers (http://www.sarahkatefibers.etsy.com/)
encouraged me to try Gottland wool...
ummm, so soft!

Another new to me vendor was Morning Moon Alpacas from Monett, MO.  I fell for her carmel colored batt of blended alpaca, merino and silk.  She had an alpaca cria born Friday and we got to see pictures!

Stay tuned for info on next year's Fiber Daze events.  Held the 4th weekend of September 2012.