Sheep and Wool

A friend and I took in the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Show at the fairgrounds in Jefferson, Wisconsin, this weekend. It's a great show, with something for everyone with an interest in fiber and how it's produced. There were sheep, there were herding dogs, there were spinners and weavers, there were artisanal yarn purveyors, there were books.

And more than anything else, there were kindred spirits. Everyone I saw looked like someone I ought to know...




YARN is why Renee and I were there. There are deals to be had and things to be found which can't be found anywhere else--small artisan spinners and dyers. There is yarn for sale that comes with the name of the sheep who produced it. I love that. Very fun.

I came home with a pattern and two skeins of laceweight yarn. Yes, the lace knitting continues unabated, although there were some sweater ideas that that got me humming too.

I bought a skein of variegated flame-colored laceweight wool from Briar Rose Fibers, whose booth was chock full of moody and subtle colorways in hand-dyed and hand-painted yarns.


And we stumbled on Skaska Designs from Colorado, selling fine lace yarns and patterns for the most ethereal shawls and scarves imaginable. I bought a pattern and a skein of silk/cashmere yarn in an equally ethereal celery green/yellow color. The photo below doesn't do the yarn color justice.


Renee couldn't resist a kit for a color-blended shawl, part of a line by Candace Eisner Strick, which includes, shawls, vests, sweaters, and other pieces. I would be tempted too.

Here's to a winter of inspired knitting!