Just got back on Sunday from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival! This was my first time going–I’ve been to Rhinebeck three times but I’d never been to Maryland before.
My mom and I drove up on Friday afternoon and stayed in a hotel in Ellicott City. The weather was not too bad on Saturday–kind of humid, but not terribly hot. Sunday was cool and overcast, which was lovely.
I set myself a budget, and TOTALLY blew it. (Restraint? That’s a kitchen utensil, right?) The first booth I got to that I bought anything at was Verdant Gryphon, one of the two offshoots of the now defunct Sanguine Gryphon. They kept a lot of the same bases, my favorite of which is Traveller (most people are obsessed with Bugga! which is a sock yarn and I set myself a rule against bringing home any more sock yarn that I actually stuck to). I’ll post pictures once I take some. It will be glorious.
Then, across the way was Miss Babs, a favorite of mine. I love Yowza, the 560-yard skeins of light-worsted weight. Two skeins makes sweater! $70! I went a little nuts in that booth and brought home what I think is my absolute favorite find of the trip. (Again, pictures later.)
Discovered Dragonfly Fibers, which I had only ever seen advertised online before. Bought some worsted weight (also called Traveller! weird! am I missing something about a collaboration or something?) and some chunky, which is so rare to find at a festival.
Also spent some time at The Fold, where they have all Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Everyone loves Socks That Rock, but I go for the thicker yarns like Gaea (got a few skeins of “The Green that Sings”) and Mopsy (a beautiful worsted weight angora blend–“Vancouver Violet”).
Also met some sheep:
I also saw some excellent t-shirts. Here are the top three:
Third place – “If you don’t talk to your cat about catnip, WHO WILL?” Maybe this isn’t funny unless you have a cat. I’m not sure why I was so tickled by this one, but let me tell you, I was.
Second Place – “I swatched Ravelry” I asked the girl who was wearing this about it and she said it was available in the early days of ravelry for the people who, like beta tested it. Which is kind of like swatching. I liked it.
First Place – “That sh*t will block right out.” I laughed. I laughed hard.
Anyway, more pictures later, once I photograph the new yarn in the family. For now, here’s this, from Saturday afternoon:
