MJ Adventure Team Goes to MD - Day 3 - MDSW

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Saturday was the first day of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. This was the reason for our trip to Maryland. We spent Thursday evening with our Ravelry / Spinzilla / Tour de Fleece friend, Adrienne, and Friday exploring Harpers Ferry. But we were all excited about the Main Event. Adrienne had given us tips for our first MDSW--bring chairs, bring food, bring toilet paper, where to park, and, most importantly, join her and the TPCMDSWAT (Timonium Presbyterian Church Maryland Sheep and Wool Adventure Team) for a tailgate breakfast. DSC_0221 Adrienne's trunk was open and there was a big pot of steel-cut oats as well as fruit, yogurt, maple syrup, and more. We chatted with new friends.

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Adrienne and Dona strategized.

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The line stretched far from the gate and the cars kept coming. The skies were threatening and it was cold and windy.

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But fiber enthusiasts are usually a happy crowd. There was no pushing and shoving, just a lot of anticipation.

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The gates opened.

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First vendor. I saw someone buy this hat from Centari Wool.

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I wasn't ready to shop. In fact I didn't really plan to shop because what could I buy when I have a fiber shop already? (I found some stuff...that's for later.)

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Fist stop was the Fiber Arts show where Kathleen and I (and Alison from afar) had entered items featuring Meridian Jacobs' wool. Kathleen won 5th and I won 4th in a crowded blanket class. Kathleen's blanket is all handspun and dyed Romney yarn. Mine used Timm Ranch wool warp and Jacob weft.

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My woven handspun (Marilyn and Raquel) scarf.

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My comercial yarn Cormo scarf.

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My sheep pillow entered in "Handweaving-other". I didn't get a photo of Kathleen's fabulous 3rd place handspun Jacob (Cassandra and Mae) sweater ("knitted with handspun, dyed") but you can see a glimpse of it in this photo and you will see it in a later post when she was wearing it.

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Alison took first in the "knitted with natural colored handspun garment" category with this wonderful vest using 4-ply Jacob (Summer).

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I took photos of some of the winners and meant to come back for more. I got so distracted by all the other things going on that I didn't make it back to the building.DSC_0230

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I moved on to the sheep barns to check in with Royal Unzicker, a Pennsylvania Jacob breeder who has asked me if I'd help show that afternoon.

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Royal's yearling rams.

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Roy Deppa's yearling ram.

After I spent some time catching up with Royal, whom I see occasionally at the annual JSBA meetings) I went out to see more of the show. That will be another post...or two...or three.