Sheep To Shawl Demonstration

Aaron McDaniel did a one man Sheep to Shawl demonstration this year.  I missed pictures of picking, sorting and carding, but did catch a few of the highlights throughout the weekend.  

Warping (preparing) the loom.  The warp threads are the threads that go "north to south", in this case the white yarn.  

Next he spun some yarn from a fleece he'd already washed, but hadn't sorted or carded until he got to the festival.

He used a black and white Jacob fleece and separated the colors into light and medium grays.

He wove two narrow panels on a rigid heddle loom.  This loom is his own design.  The gray Jacob yarn going "east to west" is the weft.

The first panel just after it came off the loom.

This is a more accurate color.  Just beautiful!

2017 Stock Dog Demonstrations

Alan Miller and his beautiful Border Collies once again amazed the crowds.  They were even able to work on Sunday because while you sure don't want to be holding electric clippers in the rain (or touching them to a sheep), nothing slows down a good working dog!

2017 Sheep Shearing Symposium

The shearing demonstrations have always been very popular at the festival.  For many years our shearer was George Breuer and Gary Figgins ran the color commentary.  We always thought Mr. Figgins talked a lot, but the two new shearers this year, Bill Haudenschield and Gavin McKerrow, turned the shearing demonstration into a full shearing symposium ;-).  And did they draw the crowds!

They'll be back next year in case you missed them this year.  And I'm wondering if there might even be a new shearer or two from the crowds now.

Friday Fun!

We had a great day at the festival. Tomorrow should be even better. Come on out!

While You Wait

The Wool Festival's program cover sheep this year is Tavia, a Jacob sheep from Equinox Farm in Cynthiana.  Jacob sheep are black and white or occasionally a "lilac" gray/brown and white spotted sheep.  They are multi-horned and must have at least two horns, but can have up to six.  Tavia has four.  

While not proven that the breed actually traces back to Jacob's spotted sheep from the Bible, they were named Jacob's sheep because of their resemblance to the sheep from the story of Jacob removing the spotted sheep from his father-in-law's flock.

Jacob sheep are prized for their soft, colorful fleeces which can be separated out to create black and white yarn or blended to create multiple shades of gray depending on how much of each color you use.  Tavia's spring shearing will be on display in the Wool Tent.

While you are waiting for the festival to get here, here's a fun way to spend some time.  Click the puzzle to play :-).

Enjoy!

2017 Wool Tent Vendors

A Yarn Well Spun/Rhapsody in Hue

Alpacas at Wolf Run Ridge Crowley's Mill - Informational Booth and Fiber Processing Pick Up Deep Dyed Yarns by lunabudknits

Dog Trot Weavers and Spinners

Eagle Bend Alpacas Ewe Fluffy Ewe

Flour Creek Wool HeartFelt Fleece and Fiber

Jessica's Creations

Kreations by Phyllis

Mustard Seed Art Studios

Punkin's Patch

Rock and String Creations Shepherd's Custom Woodworking

Tring Farm

Weaving Memories

Woolywood Crafts by Michelle and Jeff Brown

We will once again have a tent full of educational and inspiring demonstrations including spinning with wheels and drop spindles, weaving, crochet, hand carding and combing, fiber and color blending, needle felting and more.

The festival is October 6th, 7th and 8th this year.  Come join us!