First, we hit this lovely vendor who I can't recall the name of (have to let you know in another post. I would recommend them...so friendly! My friend bought a gorgeous fleece determined to learn to spin today. She's a knitting goddess so I'm confident she did not waste $$. Having never spun anything, I thought I would just head home with three little bags of very sheepy fleece in lovely variegated shades. I wonder if carding this with the cat's brush will work. Yes? We will see. I managed to not pick up any wool wash the entire day. Brilliant...I can still feel the lanolin on my fingertips.
We passed or more correctly this passed us on the way into one of the big tents to see the llama and the great folks who took the time to chat with us about llama wool, guard hair, etc. It's true, guard hair content is very much dependent on the animal. Some had almost none were others had more than I cared for. I tried to collect business cards and names along the way, but I think a few were misplaced. Sorry!
We made our way to the Oak Meadow Alpaca Farm and I bought this from owner Nancy... lovely puff of alpaca roving. SO soft! I had to go back and get a baggie of it to try. Spinning is starting to call to me, scream actually.
An then there was the lovely green scarf at Winterhaven Fiber Farm called a Nuno scarf. I'm not mush of a wrap person, but this I just could not ignore. (scarf on left) The owner, Jenny, was a just a fantastic gal. Chatted with us about spinning, felted flower making, etc. I had my heart set on making a few of the scarves so I cam away with the instructions plus some pretty rovings and some flashy stuff to add in to jazz it up a bit. All I have to get is the silk backing material which I have at home. I have to remember to email her to order the green fiber to make the green scarf. Must write a note....
Next we moved on to the fabulous gals at Just Our Yarn, Diane and Cathie. They have amazing cashmere yarn spun so finely and in such defined colors. It made me wish I were a better knitter. Some day... they also sold the most beautiful drop spindles made by Bill Hardy of Turnstyles. These were by far my favorites of the show hands down. Diane was very patient and talked my friend and I threw all our questions and was a very patient and encouraging demonstrator/teacher. Here is my friend giving it a whorl...she bought one and couldn't peel the smile from her face. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Then across the way we went as the fine ladies at Gold Oak Farm waved us over to try out needle felting. I can't tell you how fun and cathartic it was to stab that little needle into the roving. And soon we had something, well, my friend did at least. Mine is on the right (laugh) Can I help it if the kids at the table used all the cool colors and imagination?
With out new found love of spinning and needle felting off we went in search of fiber and found Steam Valley Fiber Farm and it's amazing owner, Phylleri.. She had the most amazing display of fiber and sweet little goats (I think goats, at least) I asked her if she minded me taking a pic of her stuff and she gave a big smile and the okay so feast your eyes. Keep in mind that there is a second side to that yarn rack. The colors were amazing. The booth was beautiful.
Needing water badly, we headed to the food vendors and saw sheep shearing.
After water and a snack, we sidetracked and entered a smaller building. Inside we found a fantastic display of any and everything you ever wanted to know about silk and silk worms. Here you can see the owner keeping the water hot as the fine filaments from 10 silk cocoons were gently wound around a wheel. Look closely to see the fine filaments. She also had live worms munching on mulberry leaves. The worms were so soft to pet too. Then I tried my hand at bobbin weaving with the ladies of the Genesee Valley Guild. Fun! i love being exposed to new things.
Next and final was the main and largest barn. Here I got in a little more trouble because I found Joan Berner and Cloverleaf Farms. Her color sense and colorways were reasonably priced and WOW! They were my favorite of the show....I loved the combinations. I have been dreading the coming of winter because it lasts SO long here and the sky is persistently overcast. Doom and gloom. It is the price you pay for living here in the gorgeous lake region. But I seem to find my mood changing enough to welcome autumn and it palette of colors. With that in mind I bought these two colorways. The first is a merino superwash and the braid is a merino silk blend. I had to lighten the first pic to show the colors of the darker superwash. The second pic represents the truer colors of the silk merino blend.
Further in the main barn we found Golding. Their display of gold-ringed spindles, zodiac spindles, amazing looms and a spinning wheel and chair were so finely done. A true craftsman and a nice guy to chat with as well. I have my eye on a spindle from these folks for the future. Any picture that I could manage would not do his work justice. Thankfully he is easy to find on the web and I encourage you to go browse.
I also came across other lovely folks like Lisa Ann who owns The Spinners Hill Shop. Lisa was so nice and tried to locate some silk/wool blend roving. Fortunately for her she was practically cleaned out. Rats! She was so accommodating and told me to email her about colorways she be happy to make for me. *smile*
There were also the kind folks at Ancient Textiles. Their booth was chock full of ikat clothing and textiles. They allowed me to take a pic if a gorgeous sweater but the owner was quick to point out that it was the work of a well known designer whose name I promptly forgot. So, I feel bad about posting the pic until I can identify the talented designer.
Maggie's Farm was there too and we had a chance to chat with the friendly owner about spinning and other fiber loving things. The hook rug and wheels both displayed at a nearby booth were a great final thing to see as we exited the show. Yes, I want to learn about this too...and weaving as i found myself VERY drawn to woven scarves and such all day. That goes on my wish list. Now, if I could just find that rich Vet I can marry and help me take care if the herd I want! Yes, I like to dream...
Ahh, fiber fest virgin no more. The day was good. Life is better :)
1 comment:
I am so jealous. ;-) I'm hoping to get to Rhinebeck this year, but it is about a 4-hour drive.
Post a Comment