The yarn travel deities smiled upon me, the stars and the autumn leaves finally aligned, and I was lucky enough to spend a Saturday noodling north through forests resplendent in their autumn finery to Tunbridge, Vermont for the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival. I varyingly listened to, and lost, seemingly all the New England NPR stations on offer as I wended through through old mill towns and over hills, past working dairy farms and unexpected remnants of manufacturing, admiring the vernacular architecture and lovely slate roofs along the way. The Toddler even slept through most of the drive (both ways!).
My visit to the festival itself was equally charmed, though much too brief. As usual I didn’t take nearly enough photos, but what few I did remember to take I posted to an Instagram Story, which I thought I would repeat here in a more permanent form, both as a reminder to myself and for those who might be interested.
This book looks fantastic and is one that I really want to add to my library (and also knit all the Selbu mittens!). Selbu Mittens, by Anne Bårdsgård
The Felting Studio continues to grow and every time I come across their booth I just want to loose myself in their felted hangings, as beautiful and intricate as a medieval stained glass window. My fingers itch to take up needle felting. Beyond the beautiful felt art, they have expanded their wares over the years, seemingly in any direction that takes their fancy, which is an urge I much support and admire. They are now producing the pattern for this lovely child’s jacket, and though I didn’t see any on display I must remember to ask if they are selling kits for it as well. I need to make this jacket. I just do.
I want to get in touch wth Steeple Chase Farm, in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire (pardon the lack of link, they don’t appear to have a website) both because they are actually very close to where I live, but also because they have a flock of heritage sheep, including Teeswater. I came away with this lovely sampler pack including some Jacob and - ? I’m embarrassed to admit that I can’t remember what the light gray is - a very lustrous longwool; Leicester? It was getting late in the day for the toddler at this point and a conversation I really wished to linger on was instead conducted while doing the toddler soothing bop - my apologies to everyone in that display barn on Saturday at around 3:00. I really want to pick up my drop spindle and feel these beauties drift through my fingers and let them be the yarn they want to become, but the part of me that prefers planning wants to wait to make sure I have a project in mind first. All my two minds can really agree on is that I need to get in touch with Steeple Chase Farm.
And of course there were a host of lovely, charming, animals with gorgeous fleeces who I really wanted to take home.
Along the way I ran into many yarn friends, admired much knitwear, ate some fantastic salted caramel ice cream, and generally had an inspiring day. So thank you to all the vendor and organizers and fiber enthusiasts at VT Sheep and Wool!