Big Post! Lots of Pictures!

ETA: This is my real inspiration for spinning. If I could ever learn how to make something so gorgeous, I would be very happy indeed!

Oh my God, Eric and I went to a fiber festival today just down the road from Tulsa. It. Was. Awesome! I don't know how those of you who go to the giant ones all the time do it--I brought home so much good stuff. Here's a peek inside the bag I brought home with me. I'll get to all that in a minute.


So, without further ado, let me lead you on a tour of the festival.

This was mostly a gathering of local spinners, dyers, and Alpaca/llama/sheep raisers. I've never seen so much fiber in one place--and I had no idea what one does with most of it

But that didn't stop us from making the round several times, visiting each booth, some more than once, and handling all the fiber, even the oily stuff.



There was just so much to see--and touch!

The above is the East Winds Farm booth (etsy seller NakedSheepStudios). I see she doesn't have any sock yarn up at the moment, but keep checking back because this stuff was beautiful.

She had two varieties--a Corridale/nylon blend (465 yards for $10!), and a Merino/tencel blend (410 yards for $12). Eric and I nearly cleaned her out, buying three skeins each.

One of these will be going to my Sockapalooza pal. I just have to decide which I can stand to part with.

Handspun yarn:

Handspun bamboo yarn (very shiny!):

And this booth had some of the most amazing stuff I have ever seen--silk caps! If you don't know what it is, and I had never heard of before now, I've already googled it for you. Check out the link, because they are just impossible to describe.

These things are so strangely strong to the touch, but filmy and delicate looking. Eric and I each bought two.

Apparently we can either spin them on our new spindles, or just peel off the layers, stretch them out and roll the fiber back and forth to create instant yarn.

I got pink with green, and blue with green, so I'll be able to combine all the colors together when I decide what to do with them.

Endlessly entertaining!

Before we left, we sat down with Janine and Tara to rest a minute. They were also quite the happy little shoppers, so our table was loaded down with our purchases--and my new green spindle!

Janine gave an impromptu spinning lesson, and she made it look so easy. Which I prompty found out it is not once I tried my hand at it. I'll need tons of practice, but seeing the amazing handspun yarns today gives me an incentive to get going immediately!