Sunday, September 12, 2010

WSWF (or Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival)

Some of the Wed Night Gang
This past weekend I went to the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival in Jefferson, WI, for the first time. Actually first time for me to go to anything along this scale, boggles the mind what Stitches would be like!

Friday I went with a friend and we had an enjoyable time.  Watched a little of the instinct testing for young herding dogs, looked at the silent auction items and rug hooking display by Cream City Rug Hookers (of whom I had always heard about but could never find a website for them or figure out when their meetings/hook-in are so was really exciting for me that I was able to sign up for their mailing list) and then on to Shopping.

All I have to say about the shopping is, WOW!  I am forever grateful that on Friday we went through first and then went around again to make purchases saved me hundreds I'm sure because at that point I was so tired that I just wanted to purchase the things that had caught my eye and put my feet up (note to self wear sneakers who cares who sees your handknit socks?!?).
Me modeling a lovely Alpaca necklace yarn

Both on Friday and today I bumped into some of the ladies from Wednesday night, bought some cool yarn, saw people I had met over the years at knitting retreat I went to in St. Germain area (Hi Liz!) and signed up for a class today.

Sunday it was a bit more tame, met up with a friend who grew up on a farm and has a hobby farm now.  We watched some of the dog trials, looked at the sheep and lambs and bummed around till I had to leave for my class.

The class today was learning to do 2 mittens at the same time using Magic Loop method and as a bonus got my Kitchner groove back, a skill I regretfully lost somewhere.

Definitely plan on signing up for more classes next year (weaving, rug hooking and knitting) and now debating whether or not to drive back and forth daily or camp the weekend at the fairgrounds like some do. Oh well, this is something to ponder later.