Shepherd’s Harvest: the lil sheep and wool festival that yearns to run with the big dogs!! But isn’t quite there yet 😉
I spent my Mother’s Day celebrating with my homies: knitters and like-minded individuals (crocheters, spinners, etc.) in Lake Elmo. Part of the time was spent staffing the Minnesota Knitters Guild table. As the new VP of the MKG I felt I should become more active and visible in MKG events. I had a great time talking to the enthusiastic visitors to our booth. There is so much great knitting mojo out there and lots of it landed at our table!
After my stint was over, I checked out the festival happenings –Â first stop:
FOOD! What else were you expecting? Then into each of the three exhibit buildings to check out the wares:
And some fabulous knitting;
I am not a spinner and have ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION OF STARTING! I really can’t get sucked into another black vortex of doom. BUT, that said, I really like the looks of spinning and all of its accoutrements:
The beautiful spindles, like radiant flowers:
The timeless and poetic lure of the wheel:
And if I could look as cute doing something as this woman, I might consider it:
But to be fair, the real reason sheep and wool festivals exist is to give sheep and other fiber providers their due. Without them we would be nowhere. So here are some pictures of the faces that make it all possible.
These lil cuties are a cross between merino and shetland sheep:
The woman who raises these sheep is selling assorted rovings for $4/pound.  I don’t know if that is a good price or not but she can be contacted at Lamb’s Fiber Farm (email philbettylamb@aol.com). I really think her last name is Lamb!!??!!
And look at these regal beauties:
It was a fun day. I did do a small amount of shopping. I spotted an item I have wanted for a long time (and I had to buy one for Surly, too, of course!):
It is a tool that measures how much yarn you have. Note that it is actually designed to measure fishing line — and is probably available in any tackle shop. I used it to measure the above ball of handpainted 100% silk yarn that I have had for ages and could not use because I didn’t know how much I had. I can’t vouch for its accuracy, but if it’s in the ballpark at least you have an estimate to go by.
I also bought one skein of yarn just cuz it was so purdy:
The color is a-maize-ing (o-o-o-o-h — that’s cheesy even for me!) and I loved the lil curlicues.   I think a scarf is all I can do with one skein, but I had to have it.
That is the end of my photo essay. I am planning on going to next year’s Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival with Sally — that should be a blast!
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That’s it? Lovely colour!
Those sheep are just too cute and little. Just the right size to stuff into an oversized shopping bag 😉
Comment by Marina — May 15, 2007 @ 6:22 am
But Susan – spinning is more fun than knitting! I promise!
Comment by June — May 15, 2007 @ 6:48 am
Wow, you were very restrained! Strangely, I think this festival is probably bigger than Taos – but Taos gets a wider draw of vendors. I wish Joslyn’s would come to SH sometime.
Comment by Chris — May 15, 2007 @ 8:35 am
Susan- Looks like a great day. You showed such amazing restraint.
Did you bring a sheep home?
Comment by Lorraine — May 15, 2007 @ 9:44 am
What fun! And I am completely with you on the spinning. It would take away from my knitting time, after all. Pretty tools, though.
Comment by AuntieAnn — May 15, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Oh my, just like I was there! And who wouldn’t love those adorable lamby faces :o)
Comment by Karen B. — May 15, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Love your pics! Looked like a perfect day. I went to Maryland for the first time this year and it was wonderful! I did get the bug to spin and joined a local Spinner’s Guild . My first meeting is this Sat but I don’t know how to spin yet.
I will have to find more closets to take over my stashes. I have been researching wheels and trying to figure out how to learn. Hopefully – the Guild members will help me out.
Comment by katomliz — May 15, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
Oh, come on and join in the black hole vortex of spinning! You’ll never want to come back – but in the meanwhile, you’ve been tagged! The rules for this one are posted on my blog this evening. Just passing along the fun!
Comment by Dianna — May 15, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Thanks so much for the virtual visit. We don’t really have much in the way of woolfests here in the UK, which, considering our knitting history, I find it strange. There are a couple each year but too far away from me, so seeing yours is great, almost as good as going to one; but probably better because I can’t spend any money!!
Comment by Mindie — May 16, 2007 @ 3:14 am
I took 1/2 day at the festival and had such a great time. Did sucumb to the spinning temptation – really loving it! Definitely concerned about how to balance spinning with knitting. There’s just too much fun stuff to do in the world!!!
Need to learn more about the knitting guild. I’m off to Google 🙂
Comment by nuttnbunny — May 16, 2007 @ 11:59 am
I couldn’t go to SH this year (we went to NYC to see #1 son graduate from college) but that’s probably okay — I haven’t knit up the yarn I bought last year. Yes, I am a slug, er, slow knitter. Great photos.
Comment by kmkat — May 18, 2007 @ 2:06 pm