There's nothing quite like quality yarn. This spring, the 100th Annual Connecticut Sheep, Wool, and Fiber Festival is Saturday April 25 at Tolland Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Avenue (Route 30), Vernon. Featuring working border collies, sheep shearing, spinning, weaving, there's something for everyone. Meet the animals that produce the fiber - from sheep to llamas and alpaca. Watch the fleece to shawl contest, try your hand at spinning, or just enjoy the color and critters. Admission is $3 for parking; call (860) 526-3883 for details.
In 2008, the 20th Annual Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival offered up a feast of fiber - naturally dyed cotton, hemp, wool, and blends. Exotics. On display were all things to create beauty from fibers - from spinning wheels, drum carders, spindles and knitting accessories. There was raw fleece, rovings, homegrown millspun yarn, handspun yarn, hand-knit creations for people and dogs.
And then there was the working dog demonstrations, featuring Border collies, expertly herding sheep. Beauty in motion.
This year's Vermont festival will be held October 3 and 4, at Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT. For more information contact Kat Smith, (802) 446-3325.
