Shepherds Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival

This past Saturday my friends Bruny, Anna and myself attended the Shepherds Harvest, an annual event that is held at the Washington County fairgrounds. It was an especially grand affair as the festival was celebrating it's 15th anniversary and the weather was absolutely perfect!

Just about everything that is associated with getting the fiber from the critter to the knitting needle is showcased at this event....literally. Of course there are the critters themselves, sheep, llamas, alpacas, angora bunnies and goats just to name a few. Then there is an array of every gadget known to man that will process the fibers into workable yarn. And just in case you don't have a clue as to how to use these gadgets, they offer classes for that too!


It's the everything in between that intrigues a spectator like me. I get a kick out of the unique notions, buttons and the beautiful specialty yarns that often make their debut at such an event. Both local and rural yarn shops were on hand to showcase their products and it was fun to experience such a wide variety at one location!


Here is the problem....Anyone who has a stash like mine, has absolutely no business buying more yarn. Fortunately for yarn shops, that has never stopped me which is why my stash continues to grow. Like all purchases I make and don't really need, I tend to do a bit of self reasoning to justify my actions. This is what I came up with: 


1)  I had an overwhelming need to contribute to our struggling economy. After all, what kind of an American would I be?


2) What's a few more skeins?


3) My husband is out of town and I can easily sneak it into the house.


4) The yarn jumped into my arms and begged me to bring it home. It could happen, right?


5) The yarn is gorgeous, how could I not buy it? And besides, my stash could use a little freshening up!

I am thinking both the Madelinetosh and Three Irish Girls will make beautiful cowls, don't you?


Also, I finally found the perfect yarn bowl which came from Brickyard Pottery and Glass (www.brickyardpottery.com) located in Shell Lake, Wisc.  Check them out, they have really cool stuff.


Stash Report


   

The Madelinetosh in this photo has been in my stash for quite some time. I had originally purchased it to make the Ravelry Honey Cowl. Unfortunately once I had begun making it,  I found it to be too dark to emphasize the beauty of pattern.


Instead, I decided to switch patterns altogether and add some LUCCI to make the Lillian's Sister (Margaret) cowl designed by Steven Berg. I think it really compliments the Madelinetosh and in addition to the cowl, I have enough yarn to make a scarf. I might add the String Along sequins located on the right of the picture just to give it a little pop.


That's pretty much what's new on my end, now I just have to knit all this stuff....If I could just figure out a way to knit in my sleep - just think of the possibilities! Maybe I'll come up with a gadget that will do that and I too can have a booth at the Shepherds Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival. Never say never in the world of technology!