Oh, Maryland Sheep & Wool was fabulous. That's me & Cheryl, the only knitblogger I managed to meet up with. And what's that I'm wearing? Could it be Ribbita, slightly messed up because of the weird way I'm standing? Why, yes it could! I'm wearing a tank top under it, so as not be confused with someone named Slutty McTramp. Trust me. :) I'll try to get a good picture of it this week. It's not the best fit, though - there are several modifications I want to make. I'll probably be undoing the top few inches to change it all.
Back to the Festival... There were so many more people than I expected... so many more booths, so much more wool
, so many more sheep, so much more wool (did I mention the wool?)... really, just so much more. I was completely taken back to my 4-H days (ten-year member, yessiree!) everytime I saw the sheep going by on leashes. I saw the llamas, the alpacas, and the Brooks Fiber Farm, where I fell in love with everything in the booth. You'll be seeing that in the future... there's at least enough for a top-down raglan ala Stef.
So what all did I buy? There's the short answer ->
(Click on it for the big answer). There's a drop spindle with some roving to practice (I blame Cheryl for that), some packages of Jo Sharp cotton (50% off, baby!), a cool Japanese pompom maker, a needle felting kit, some sparkly black yarn, and a huge puddle of Brooks Farm Fiber. I did mention that I fell in love, right? Oh, and a swift and ball winder - very useful, with all of those skeins! I think Dan thinks it's worth it's weight in gold... he wasn't so enthusiastic about holding the skeins as I balled them or vice versa. And what did the cats think? They were quite intrigued by the fiber and sheepy smells. The swift and ballwinder were also quite interesting, although I Linus found it to be a little alarming, especially when it started spinning.
Well, that's the wrap-up... how many days until I can go back next year? Or should I start thinking about Rhinebeck instead? Hmm...
well, it sounds like you had fun, made your husband happy but STOP SCARING MY GRANDCAT LIKE THAT!!!!
Mom
Ooh... I'm so jealous!! :) I went to one yarn store while in LA and it was fabulous, but to go to a whole festival all devoted to wool... wow...
Posted by: Jenna on May 6, 2004 06:11 AMHere's another festival that maybe we could go to together (not as big perhaps, but I'll be out there!)
http://www.fallfiberfestival.org/
OH me too me too Iguana!! I want to go to the show Jenna found?? Can mommy come??????
PPPLLLEEEEEESSSSEEEEEE????
the Mommy
Hey, your top looks great! Love that color. And how exciting that you got to wear it to MDS&W! Glad to hear that you had fun. :)
Posted by: alison on May 9, 2004 08:46 AMI'm so sad that we missed you.... I could NOT believe how many people were there! Sigh. You look fab in your new togs, BTW.
xo
You have a great site! I have been reading all you eastcoasters' adventures at the Maryland Festival. I can't wait for the BlackSheep festival here in Or. in June. I held myself back last year, but I'm starting to salivate now:)
Posted by: Deb on May 9, 2004 06:15 PMNice haul! Next year I will be there, H or high water. Good job on the Ribbitta, even before the mods. I might be up for a Montpelier meet-up, except we have to drive in that same direction for a family reunion in the mountains the following weekend . . .
Posted by: Maggi on May 10, 2004 01:43 PMMom,
I don't see why you can't come too! If you can get yourself to Virginia, the more the merrier! :)