Have You Any Wool?

Stephanie wrote:

Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival has come and gone. One day events can be a mixed blessing. While there's less time away from family and the rest of life, it seems that once you finally get set up it's time to start tearing down.

That's how it was for us on Saturday. We were still unpacking and organizing when the festival started on Saturday morning. But that didn't keep people from stopping at our booth. We worked around the mess and eventually cleared out the boxes. With a steady stream of people in and out of our booth the day went by in a snap. And then it was time to pack up and head home.

I did manage to break away for a bit and wander around the grounds.

The weather was beautiful - dry, sunny, pleasant temps. It was a great day to be an outside vendor.

It wouldn't be a sheep and wool festival without animal pictures.

This sheep was in a pen of shorn and unshorn sheep. He would probably be naked by the end of the day.

And this cutie from Tucker Woods Farm . . .

. . . the perfect model.

I was reminded of the nursery rhyme Baa Baa Black Sheep.

Wool. Three tables full.

Capturing details of a spinning wheel.

A picture of a picture.

Beads And Bags

Stephanie wrote:

Tomorrow we will be vending at Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival. This one day event has been gaining in size and popularity. If you're in the area, be sure to check it out.

Today we're tying up loose ends. Last minute details always take more time than you anticipate.

I'm busy weighing out beads for various kits.

It's a fun job to mix and match the beads to different yarns.

Sometimes it's a hard decision - so many colors, so many options.

The possibilities are endless.

Yesterday we received a delivery from Michele of Three Bags Full.

It was time to re-stock our inventory with some favorite bags and some new ones. "Because one bag is never enough!" Michele says.

Fun fabric.

Monday Holiday

Stephanie wrote:

This past weekend I found myself hanging out in a convention center with hours to kill while the kids attended an event. To make the most of my situation I was armed with my knitting, an audio book and coffee.

Convention centers are strange places that bring together disparate groups of people. For instance this weekend the convention center hosted a talent search competition (envision girls of all ages running around in leotards, dance dresses, full makeup and elaborate hairdos with hovering mothers in tow) and a quilting exposition. What a contrast!

After seeing a steady parade of striking quilted bags and jackets I took a walk down the hallway to see what the quilters were up to.

And this is what I found.

Gorgeous works of art representing hours and hours worth of time spent in color choice, fabric selection, cutting, stitching, assembly and finishing.

Zooming in.

This quilt used completely different colors.

The view up close is different than from a distance.

There are so many different fabrics, colors and stitches that go into each individual puzzle piece. Truly amazing.

As I sat knitting in the convention center several quilters stopped to see what I was working on. Many of them were also knitters. What yarn are you using? What is that pattern? Do you prefer knittng socks toe-up or top down? I felt a real kinship with these quilters, even those who didn't knit. We shared a love of fiber and needles and a passion for creating.

There was a time in my life when I did lots and lots of sewing. I appreciate quilting and some days think of taking the plunge. But I think it will have to wait for another lifetime.

In keeping with the quilting theme . . .

. . . a tile quilt/mural in the convention center.

And just like the fabric quilts you could find some interesting details if you got close enough.

Turtles scattered throughout one section of the mural.

I couldn't resist them.

Today in Massachusetts we are celebrating Patriot's Day, a holiday to commemorate the beginning of the American Revolution. Maine, once part of Massachusetts, also celebrates. It's a holiday marked by re-enactments and parades.

And today is also Marathon Monday, the running of the 114th Boston Marathon. Coupled with a daytime Red Sox game at Fenway it makes for a full day of sports.

Patriot's Day, a spring holiday for history buffs and sports enthusiasts. And appreciated by everyone who has the day off.

Luster Worsted

Stephanie wrote:

We're busy preparing for our next event, Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival. While the dye pots cool, I thought I'd take a minute to introduce the newest yarn in our lineup.

Announcing Luster Worsted, a 100% bluefaced leicester worsted weight yarn. This strong, lustrous yarn offers subtle color variation and beautiful stitch definition.

We are offering a select number of colors . . .

. . . with names yet to be determined.

There are a few more colors that didn't make this photo shoot.

No, Luster Worsted isn't on our website, but it will be soon.

My latest color inspiration.

These colorful citrus treats have been popular around here. Bet you can't eat just one.

It's In The Mail

Stephanie wrote:

In shop news we've been busy with club shipments. The spring mitten club shipped last week and the sock club shipped this week. It's so much fun to get yarn in the mail.

Dragonfly Mitten is the work of Janel Laidman. You can see a picture here (Ravelry link). The mittens are truly a work of art.

Textured Diamonds Socks was designed by Ann Budd. I can't locate a picture, but trust me when I say that these socks look like a fun project. Speaking of Ann she recently started a blog. In addition to talking about all things yarn, she also has a link to recipes from her blog readers. Be sure to check it out.

A couple more notes about both clubs. The yarn used in these designs is Luster Sox, a 100% bluefaced leicester superwash yarn. Both clubs offer exclusive colorways. It's not too late to get in on a full club membership. The spring installments will soon be available as stand-alone kits. Finally, the knit alongs for both of these will be starting in the next few days. You can find all the fun at our Ravelry group.

In knitting news I finished and gifted the Baby Surprise Jacket.

I find it extremely clever that this knitted blob . . .

. . . can be folded into this.

Origami for knitters.

And I'm delighted with the buttons.

The credit goes to my daughter - she spotted them first.

The other day I was stuck in stop and go traffic. I've decided that the only thing worse than being stuck in traffic is being stuck in traffic without my knitting handy.

Since I didn't have my needles to keep me occupied I was looking around, taking in the scenery. And this is what I saw.

A wild turkey strutting down the sidewalk in Cambridge. That alone is enough to bring traffic to a halt.