June 21, 2006
More Estes Park
Hi Again. I'm sorry I didn't post the rest of my Estes Park stuff yesterday. Travis and I had to go to a funeral and we were in the car for 10 hours yesterday, which meant no time to blog. But, I'm back and I have the rest of the pictures - mostly of the loot, but a few of some of the bloggers I met (although I have to admit, I wasn't as good about taking pictures when I was there as I should have been).
Let's see, where was I? Oh, right...after the spinning class. The spinning class finished up at about 4:30 on Friday and I was packing up to go meet Margene and Carole and the rest of the gang. I told Maggie I'd stop by the Shuttles booth on Saturday and she said that I had to go Friday night (they open the vendor barn Friday at 5:00 for everyone who took a class) if I wanted a fleece from Clyde Vair. So, what else could I do? I had to go see, right? Well, when I got to the barn, Mr. Vair only had 2 fleeces left and of course I bought one. Don't look at me like that. You would have done the same thing. It's a great fleece (I asked someone, that's how I know) and the price was good too. The fleece is a Corriedale, CVM, Polypay cross and I'm going to wash it myself.
Here's a sample of the fiber that has been washed.
Look at that fluffiness! I hope I can wash this without screwing it up. But, we'll see how it goes. Maggie provided some information on washing, so I'm going to follow those to the letter and keep my fingers crossed the entire time. And assuming I manage to wash it without felting it, then I'm going to have to figure out how to dye it - another felting nightmare. Oh well, it's all about the learning.
After my whirlwind fleece shopping, I headed over to the condo to meet up with everyone and I am not kidding when I tell you that it was like we'd known each other forever. I was instantly comfortable. That is one of the most amazing things about bloggers. I'm not usually outgoing in groups of people I don't know, but it's different when you feel like you've known the people for a long time, even if you're "meeting" them for the first time. We went out to dinner Friday night and had a blast.
Saturday we shopped and shopped and ate and visited the animals and shopped....
Until we couldn't shop any more!
I left Saturday evening because I'd been there since Thursday, but that meant I missed out on Jen's fabulous dinner (there was pie!). I was sorry to leave all my friends, but quite relieved to be home and sleep in my own bed.
So, now for the loot. I really tried to be good and I only bought 1 skein of yarn. But there were a few fiber related purchases (no surprise there, I'm sure).
With the purchase of the fleece, I realized I needed some hand carders, so I headed off the Shuttles' booth and Maggie helped me pick out some lovely Schacht hand carders, and then I saw the drop spindles! I have a nice spindle, but I was intrigued by the mid-whorl, so I got one of those too.
And then there was In Sheep's Clothing and Spin-Off.
4 ounces of indigo dyed coopworth (I think - I can't remember for sure)
And finally, one skein of Brooks Farm's new sock yarn (they website appears to be down).
I was going to post pictures of all animals we met, but you're probably bored by now. So, I'll wait until tomorrow and see if you're still interested. Thanks for putting up with my rambling and my lack of knitting content. I do have a finished project to tell you about - maybe that can be tomorrow too.
Comments
Animal pictures! I want to see the animals!
So, how much wool is in a fleece? And how much yarn will that end up being? I think it is so neat that you're going to wash, dye, spin, and ultimately knit up that fleece! From sheep sweater to Steph sweater (or something like that) - awesome!
Posted by: Cyndi at June 21, 2006 11:17 AM
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Cara at June 21, 2006 11:24 AM
Beautiful loot, and the fleece looks wonderful. I'm sure you can wash it jsut fine without messing it up, its not too hard. Glad you got to meet more fellow bloggers - what fun!
Posted by: PumpkinMama at June 21, 2006 11:28 AM
Very cool that you are diving right in to try fleece washing and dyeing! I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Looks like you have some nice purchases! You really didn't get too buckwild with the shopping there!
Posted by: caitlyn at June 21, 2006 11:29 AM
BROOKS SOCK YARN? You'll have to give me the scoop on that.. that's danger right there.
Posted by: Angela at June 21, 2006 11:55 AM
Brooks farm has sock yarn now!!! Oh no!! (beautiful fleece by the way!)
Posted by: Stacey at June 21, 2006 11:57 AM
Fabulous reporting!! Thanks.
Posted by: Vicki at June 21, 2006 12:03 PM
Hanging out together was like being with long time pals. We missed you Saturday night (and should have given you some pie for the road) but understand your desire for your own bed. You'll do a fabulous job on the fleece...no doubt. Just make sure you document it all. Hopefully I'll see you sooner than later (before next years Estes).
Posted by: margene at June 21, 2006 12:44 PM
Wow I think you were very well restrained on your shopping. That fleece is wonderful. I still haven't been brave enough to buy one. Maybe next year.
Posted by: Rebekah at June 21, 2006 12:47 PM
Finally! Someone has posted some photos of the market! Looks exhausting but tons of fun. I managed to fondle some of that BF sock yarn last night. Wonderful.
Posted by: susan at June 21, 2006 1:36 PM
Your fleece looks gorgeous!
Posted by: Jessica at June 21, 2006 1:54 PM
It's absolutely unreal to see Carole in a photograph with you. What is she doing over there?!? Send her back to Massachusetts!
Posted by: grumperina at June 21, 2006 1:55 PM
I'm sorry to hear you had a funeral to attend!
It was a blast getting to meet you in person and spend some time together this weekend. We'll have to get together a bit more often :-)
Your loot looks great. I took a class from Clyde on how to choose fleeces and he's picky about what he sells so I have no doubt you have a great fleece there. I can't wait to see what you spin it into!
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool at June 21, 2006 2:14 PM
Oh, that fleece. I feel so fortunate to have touched it! And you're right about the instant comfort. I felt like we had known each other forever. And I'm so happy to have hung out with ya, girlfriend.
Posted by: Carole at June 21, 2006 2:24 PM
Fiber, yarn related and wool making items are always knitting news! Cool trip!
Posted by: Stephanie at June 21, 2006 2:30 PM
Also sorry about your funeral..hope it wasn't someone too close. The fleece is yummy...you'll do fine. (I suggest you spin the yarn and then dye...I have better luck that way.) Brooks Farm has SOCK YARN?! Holy mothballs! Gotta get me some of that! Handcards, check. Book, check. SpinOff...oh, check the new product page in the latest issue for the contact info on that washing bag. You'll need it for all that Rambouillet you're getting!
Posted by: Marcia at June 21, 2006 3:03 PM
Sounds like a wonderful weekend! And you were very restrained with your purchases. You'll do great with the new fleece!!
Posted by: Kathy at June 21, 2006 3:30 PM
Sorry about the funeral and long trip. I know that all that good teaching will come right back to you when you begin washing your fleece. Just touching it was dreamy.
Posted by: Birdsong at June 21, 2006 7:38 PM
That fleece is beautiful--of course, I have no idea what makes a fleece beautiful, but, oh well. It looks beautiful.
I'm so glad we met. You're right, it was instantly comfortable.
Margene's smiling face is EVERYWHERE in Knitblogland!
Posted by: green-eyed grrl at June 21, 2006 9:01 PM
Definitely with the animal pictures!!!
I'm so proud of you for getting a fleece and washing it yourself and all of that! Very cool. I'm so here for you if you want any help or advice on the dyeing front!
Posted by: Purly Whites at June 22, 2006 1:00 AM
Yea! I love seeing the pics! :)
I love those little sheep puppets on the front of the SpinOff magazine. My friend is currently making one, and I am considering it!
Posted by: Lolly at June 22, 2006 11:21 AM
nice loot!
so have you started knitting with the brooks farm sock yarn yet? what's the fiber content, yardage, and gauge on a skein of that stuff?
the quality of brooks farm yarns is awesome, yet i'm wondering about the performance of the sock yarn because it looks a bit shiny - like there's silk in it. i don't know that i've ever seen sock yarn with silk in it and i'm curious as to how it holds up...sorry, i'm so inquisitive.
Posted by: keohinani at June 22, 2006 1:43 PM
You managed to be restrained with the yarn, but got lots of fibery goodness. Love the sock yarn, I didn't realize it was their sock yarn. I think I have the same color too. I'm sorry that I missed seeing you. From the pics on the blogs about Estes, I saw you, but I don't think I recognized you. Boo hiss. Hopefully next time.
Posted by: Wanda at June 24, 2006 10:26 AM
