What can I say about the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival other than way too much fun. If you are a fiber/sheep/yarn fanatic, the MSWF is a great way to spend a weekend. Several of us drove up Friday so that we wouldn’t have to get up way early in order to beat the crowd. Found a Chick-Fil-A near the hotel so with an Arnold Palmer and spicy chicken sandwich, it was a great start to the weekend.
Saturday was the best Festival weather-sunny and cool. Helped a friend of mine drop off items for the spinning and weaving equipment auction. Saw a box of early Handweaver and Craftsman magazines as well as some McCall’s Needlework magazines from the 70’s.
Once we unloaded the car, it was time to go visit my favorite vendors-- Knots and Treadles (great selection of the old yarns), Maggie’s Farm (soap, hand creme, and roving), Davidson Yarns, as well as the fleece sale.
I spent the afternoon sitting through the equipment auction which was interesting to see what was for sale and how much it went for. I really wanted the magazines and they were the last item to go. A great Danish loom went for $150! Where was it hiding and of course, after it sold, I really wanted it. Now I know to wait until the Festival and watch for a loom. The magazines I wanted were the very last 2 items to go and they are mine!!
Saturday night we went to the Ravelry and Storey Publishing party. The authors of The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, Carol Ekarius and Deborah Robson, spoke on their trials and tribulations in writing the book. If you haven’t bought this book, you need to as it is the source on animals and the fibers from them.
Sunday was a repeat of Saturday with lots of sheep watching, browsing, and just people watching along with purchasing a fleece.
I did pick up some plants at the Festival including Japanese indigo.
After the fun weekend it was hard to go back to work when I wanted to stay home and play with my purchases.
