Fiber Heaven

The 28th annual World Sheep and Fiber Arts Festival was held over the Labor Day weekend in the small town of Bethel Missouri. I started going there about five years ago, and wouldn't miss it for anything. It's a small place, not a huge show, but there's enough to do and see that will keep any fiber enthusiast occupied for hours.
From my place, the drive was long, about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Seeing this in the sky took the edge off of an otherwise uneventful drive:
The vendors are the nuts and bolts of this event, and among them are the folks that love wool and the fiber arts. Attendance was very good, and the weather was incredible, with low humidity and it only got to 86 degrees.

So let's go for a little tour of the grounds and the activities that happen at the World Sheep and Fiber Arts festival.

Let me begin by saying that if you want wool of any color, mohair, or alpaca, your chances of finding it in fleece, roving, or yarn form is going to be very good.

I stopped here to purchase some painted roving by Dudleyspinner.

I couldn't get over all the wild colors here, a real visual party. If you separate the roving just right, you can spin yarn with a self-striping effect, and wouldn't that make for some really unique socks?

It certainly would make the spinning more interesting. Here's what I picked out:

I looked at some socks on display that were spun as singles.
Evidence of singles slant was not that obvious. The seller informed me that they were very comfortable, having an "Isotoner" effect, (what most of us might call the 'singles slant effect'). In this case, I was told, the singles slant causes the yarn to hug the foot comfortably. Any sock pattern would work, provided that you use very small needles (0 or 00) to make stitches very close together, and double up on threads for the heel. I was also told they wear well.

I suspect that the yarn used makes a difference as well, and this wool is very good quality. So here's another project for my list.

A man from South America comes every year to sell his wares. This year, he brought more than ever, and prices are very reasonable. Last year, I bought a wool poncho, and wore it to an event in late October, when the weather was quite chilly. I can also imagine wearing these at a football game and not even feeling the chill.

He brought quite an assortment of hats too, and ecouraged folks to try them on.

It is interesting to see people demonstrating their craft. This man was carving designs into a gourd, using an electric engraving tool.

There were classes going on as well. Here is a drop spindle class, using homemade spindles.
The couple using the drop spindles are Beau and Allena Jackson. They have an online Fiber Arts magazine called "Spindle and Wheel." On this website they feature tutuorials and patterns.They are all about educating the public on the fiber arts.

You never know how many talented people you will come across.

There was a table with entries of things people have handwoven, spun and felted using wool of various kinds. I'm sure the judging wasn't easy.

In the field, sheep-herding dogs, such as the border collie, were shown rounding up the sheep.The commentator explained that the instinct to herd is in the dog's nature.

For those whose dogs show little interest in herding, he says it is far better for the dog's owner to wait until the dog is ready, rather than to try to enforce what he needs to be doing. "With each method," he said, "you get an entirely different dog."

In the barn, awards were given to the top ewes and lambs of different breeds. It was interesting to hear the judge's comments. Being a 'city' girl, I was surprised the see that the sheep on the right looked yellow.

It must have been a good thing, because that sheep took a blue ribbon.

There is something for all fiber enthusiasts at the World Sheep and Fiber Arts Festival. If you didn't get to go this time, get it on your calendar for next year. As for me, I'm going to get out my wools and start spinning them up. Maybe I'll save something for the show table.