Let’s get the business out of the way first. I honestly doubt I’ll be returning to Maryland Sheep & Wool. I’ll tell you why. Last year was the first year I went, and it was the first fiber festival I’d ever attended and it was the biggest gathering of bloggers I’d ever seen. To say it was overwhelming would be putting it mildly, of course, and I managed to spend an exorbitant amount of money on yarn I’ve yet to use. NONE OF IT. I had a great time. A GREAT time. Such a great time I couldn’t wait for Rhinebeck in the Fall. By October I had met and made some pretty significant relationships with other bloggers and Rhinebeck was going to be ALL about the people. And it was. That and sock yarn. 😉 It was one of the best weekends I’ve ever had. Then I bought a wheel and Maryland was coming and I thought how can I miss the most significant fiber festival around right after I bought my wheel? I couldn’t get anybody to go with me, so G stepped up to the plate to take me and honestly? I was disappointed. NOT IN THE PEOPLE! THE PEOPLE WERE AMAZING as usual. (And not with my husband. He’s always the best.) But everything else? Fell sort of flat for me. I really didn’t buy any yarn – one skein of sock yarn and two skeins for a blog contest (it’s coming, it’s coming!) and the rest fiber. The two things I really wanted – a stool for my wheel and a niddy noddy – I couldn’t really find. The hordes of people were overwhelming to say the least. You could barely make it through the barns during the thick of it and I don’t know – it just wasn’t all that fun. By around 12:30 I was hot and tired and hungry and had bought all I was going to buy. Maybe if I had stayed the weekend I would’ve paced myself better, but I had to leave Saturday at close, so I got it all done in a hurry. Once I ate I felt better (two words: PIT LAMB), but there’s too much to do and too many people to see and you get all discomboobulated. If I was cranky or called you by the wrong name or seemed completely out of it, I’m sorry!
Seeing friends and meeting new people was a blast, as always. The blogger meet-up was a HUGE success – at one point I was standing sort of at the bottom of the hill looking up at all the crazy blogger madness and it was really very amazing. We’ve got a great community here and when we come together we can do amazing things (have you seen Claudia’s new goal? Amaze me!) I was so glad to meet all the new faces and readers and there were many people I missed or didn’t get to spend a lot of time with or was too shy to say hi too. Thanks so much to everyone who commented on the shawl! Especially all of you who went out of your way to say nice things while I was walking around the barns. Way to make a girl and her shawl feel special!
I did not bring my camera. Georgie brought it for me at the end of the day when he came to pick me up but I was tired and a bit headachy by then and a big ass sheep sneezed on us (G said he spit, but I’d like to think it was a sneeze) which was kind of gross so we had some funnel cake and went home. Taking pictures is a very serious endeavor for me and I can’t really do it half assed and I wanted to have fun not work so I didn’t bring a camera. I’m not good at snapshots. But there were cameras a flashing and I’m going to keep the sidebar up at least until the end of the week so I encourage you to visit the blogs on the list – I’m sure you’ll find a picture on one of them!
Do I sound like I’m complaining? I’m not complaining. I’m really glad I went and I really think I would’ve regretted it had I not gone. But I’m nothing if not honest and the whole thing kind of tired me out. Maybe because I shopped a lot? You be the judge….
They don’t call it a fiber fest for nothing!
Laurie sent me over to Stefania to pick up some bug fiber. That’s what she said – it’s dyed with bugs! How could I resist? It’s Handspun by Stefania, corriedale dyed in cochineal and madder, and corriedale dyed in cochineal. I also bought a basket from her:
I wanted a basket for my wheel, you know, to hold stuff. I’m not quite sure what stuff I will be putting in it but I’ve seen a few people with baskets on their wheels and I wanted one. Kind of like when you got a cool white basket with colored plastic flowers for your bike. Just like that.
I bought this stuff because it was just so freaking pretty. It’s fine wool top from Shadeyside Farm in the snapdragon colorway. I’m not quite sure what fine wool top means – I asked and I think they said it’s a combination of stuff similar to merino – it’s very, very soft.
I also bought this because it was so damn colorful! It’s Biffle from Cloverleaf Farms in Bright Autumn. What’s neat about this fiber is that the last time I was at Maryland I bought their hand-dyed yarn. This year I’m going to spin it up myself. This stuff is going to make a FANTASTIC barberpole!
This is for Project Spectrum – I tried to find fibers that worked in the upcoming colors. It’s merino from The Spinners Hill Shop. This is another one I’m anxious to spin up. I bought some of Lisa’s hand spun hand dyed merino yarn at Rhinebeck and now I get to spin it up myself! Again I’m looking forward to barberpoling. Can’t wait for July!
Some more PS fibers! This is for the neutrals/black & white in August. Jacob from Jenny Jump Farm. And some Cormo, which everyone says you HAVE to try!
This is 100% Cormo from Foxhill Farm. The woman I spoke to said it was as soft as merino and much easier to spin. I tried to ask each seller about the fiber when I bought it. I told them I was a new spinner and asked what I could expect when spinning it up. I felt really good saying I was a spinner. I’m a nerd.
This is the only yarn I bought. Someone at the blogger meet-up (I’m sorry I don’t remember who) had this amazing pink sock yarn and I had to have it! I thought it would also make a nice blog contest gift. The yarn is from Three Waters Farm, Superwash Merino, in the following colorways: (top to bottom) Pansy, Sunset and Aunt Maude’s Mauve. Very pretty stuff!
Okay – I’ve saved the absolute BEST for last. My beyond favorite thing I got at Maryland I didn’t buy. It’s priceless though. I’ve got a super special place in my heart for Rock Chick – I mean that girl is about as obsessed with her band as I am with my boy. So it was only fitting that she gave me this:
Can you believe it?!?!?! I’m still trying to wrap my head around the phenomenol gift RC gave me! SIX ROLLING STONE BRUCE COVERS! Not one, not two…SIX!!!! I put my favorite one on the top for the picture. Brooding Bruce has always been my first love. Rock Chick didn’t know how apropos this gift was going to be. You see, Bruce and I had been a little bit on the outs. I’ve felt like there’s sort of been an unwritten contract. He does a rock/E-Street album and then his folk/pseudo country stuff. Then a rock album. Then the country stuff. I support it all – I buy the albums, I go to the shows. I’m THERE. I’m ALL THERE. But then he came out with the folk/acoustic/country thing – which I enjoyed – and FOLLOWED it up with a folk/country thing. DUDE! That wasn’t part of the deal. So when people kept asking me what I thought of the new album, I told them I was sort of ignoring it. I hadn’t heard any of it – or seen the TV appearances. I knew eventually I’d get around to it, but I wasn’t in a rush. I thought this weekend, with the three hour drive and all, might be a good time to try it. I FREAKING LOVE IT! It’s so good I can’t get the songs out of my head and it is very Bruce and I was coming around and being all forgiving and RC shows up with the magazines! Verklempt is being staid. I may have bawled my eyes out right there in front of the corn dog and fried twinkie stand. If you said hello to me AFTER I received this gift of all gifts I apologize for trapping you in a corner making you look at all the magazine covers and listening to me go on and on about my love for all things Springsteen. You love me anyway, right? Rock Chick. From the bottom of my Bruceloving heart, I thank you!!!
I think it’s only fitting that I give some stuff away, don’t you? Are you ready for the contest? There will be TWO winners and here’s what you’ll get:
Each winner will receive a skein of Three Waters Farm superwash merino sock yarn, Peace Fleece handpainted knitting needles (US #6), a sampler selection of Claudia’s favorite Got Soap soaps, and some Sheepy Cards (taken at last year’s Maryland Sheep & Wool.)
How do you win you ask? It’s easy!
In the picture above are five rings I bought at the festival. They’re made out of antique typewriter keys. I bought one for myself and souvenirs for a few friends that couldn’t make the festival (or wouldn’t go with me – see how nice I am?!) Anyway, your mission if you aren’t too busy dissing TomKat, is to come up with a mnemonic using the five letters on the rings: A C M V X. You can mix the letters up anyway you want: Xanax Makes Cara Very Audacious. Or Ann Craves X-rayed Venison Meat. BE CREATIVE! One winner will be chosen by random – so you have nothing to lose by entering. For the other winner I will chose my favorite entry. One entry per person please. Comments close Friday, 11:59 PM. HAVE FUN!
Maryann Vandalizes Xylophones And Chifforobes
I understand what you mean about all the crowds. I’ve never been to MS&W but I think it would make me crazy too. The yarn and fiber you got is beautiful!
Xenophobic mammals cannot abide vampires!
Xerxes can manufacture a violin.
The crowds are why I don’t go to MDS&W every year.
The basket looks great on your wheel. I have a similar basket that is supposed to be a key basket and hang on a doorknob — but I think it’s gonna go on my wheel now!
Voluminous Maryland Acquisitions Cause eXhaustion.
(sorry, cheesed out on the X).
The CMT channel’s been running a documentary on Bruce and the musicians making the Seeger cd in his house, hanging out and making music, its worth seeing 🙂
I was a bit overwhelmed as well. (No, we didn’t meet; I was exhausted by the meetup, so didn’t stay long at all. You don’t have to worry about remembering whether you met me or not:) I also didn’t find a lot of what I was looking for – there was a serious lack of nice handpainted laceweight yarn. And I didn’t find any wool that I had to have. Way too many people; not enough of what I wanted. I know where to get stuff I want online without the hassle. It was nice meeting a few bloggers though.
Xenophobic Velma Can’t Abide Martians.
Anita Cannot Visit Ms&w until 20X
Okay I know I added the until, but I really cannot go to MS&W until 2010 (X=10) as I have finals all over the first weekend in may. I graduate with my D.V.M. in 2009 (again right around MS&W) so I really am certain to go, finally, in 2010. To think I spent 8 years of my life just a few miles away.
What a fiber stash you hauled off!
Xenu Causes Asinine Moviestar Verbalization.
(who says you can’t combine dissing TomKat and coming up with a mnemonic?)
I’ve never been to one of the big Sheep & Wool festivals (though I’m moving to NY this summer for graduate school, so perhaps Rheinbeck is on the horizon), but I would imagine I’d get rather overwhelmed very quickly with all the big crowds I’m seeing and hearing about on everyone’s blogs.
I’ll be back with the mnemonic — there’s so much information to process and pretty pictures to look at here!! Handpainted needles and typewriter key jewelry — OMG, typewriters?! — and BRUCE!!! Very cool, Cara.
A new basket for your wheel? When are you going to get streamers and a horn? ; ) Toot-toot!! I think the training wheels are OFF!
I understand what you mean, but I am sad to hear you won’t be coming back. Then again, it has been 2 years in a row, and we didn’t get to talk much either time! So, we have to make an alternate plan… maybe a road trip to Jersey is in order 🙂
You did get some great stuff though. It is great that you are thinking ahead for PS spinning. Really digging those typewriter rings… what a cool concept.
Thanks for coming, C. It was great to see you again. Love the shawl 🙂
A car moved vintage xylophones.
I’ll be thinking on the contest for later. I love that snapdragons fiber! The colors are beautiful and I can’t wait to see how it looks when you spin it. Of all the stuff you showed, I think that is my favorite!
Xylophones Create Very Animated Music.
It really is funny when I read:
“The two things I really wanted – a stool for my wheel and a niddy noddy – I couldn’t really find” I don’t think there were any resonably priced niddy noddy’s there, I only found one I liked and it was $128 and I couldn’t even find a stool I liked period. So you are not the only one who was frustrated about not finding those two items.
And I second the feeling about so many people and the heat. Every booth I really wanted to go to had 20 other people just standing in it. I gave up at so many boths this year.
I did stop by the blog event, but by that point I was so tired, grumpy, and hungry I didn’t stay long. I really am sorry I didn’t get to meet more people. Thanks for organizing it. 🙂
I’ve got some of the bug dyed fibre too! I brought it out to oogle and fondle yesterday. Having trouble deciding what to play with first. Sigh.
And I still maintain that asking to pet your shawl before introducing myself is a perfectly reasonable response to such a lovely shawl. Heh. So glad I had a chance to meet you on Saturday. I was certainly giddy with all the fibre and wheel and yarn stuff, but the people part was the best. Hands down. I want more of that.
despite being the owner of one fabulous Jelly Osaki ….. Ann Craves x-rated, virile men!
OK, here I go:
Cara Actually Motivates Vexatious Xenops.
CARA ~
I am so glad to have met you! You are most awesome!
Virtuous xeriscaping mitigates arid california
Your shawl was gorgeous in person – sorry we didn’t have more time to chat.
dude. i don’t see a b or a w there. 😉
it looks like you got some great stuff at the festival, the colors are awesome. that sock yarn. pink. yum.
i’ll come back later and put my entry in…
Aunt Cara must visit Xanadu
xenocentric men can agitate virgo’s
A CVM X
(Translation: A California Variegated Mutant Cross)
It was great to meet you Cara. If I might make a suggestion to make MDS&W less traumatic? Come Sunday MORNING. Skip Saturday all together. (That’s my plan for next year.) Before noon there was almost no crowd, but at noon on Sunday the hordes descended. I guess all the Pagan/heathens were out on Sunday morning… 😛
Xanadu Vacations Cost Aberrant Millions!
My sentences are on a bit of a vodka theme …
Cara’s Vodka Martinis Are Xiphoid –OR– Vodka Martinis Answer Cara’s Xerosis
(Xiphoid = sword like, deadly … Xerosis = dryness)
About MDSW, I’ve found that shopping either alone or with just one other person between 9:00 and 11:00 allows me to quickly find exactly what I planned to buy ahead of time and leaves the rest of the day to be spent hanging out leisurely with friends. Plus, I might find a special treat later in the day, but my “must buys” are off my list and the stress is gone. It is weird to go to a wool festival, though, and not be social for the first two hours … so I don’t think this method is for everyone … just a thought, though …
X-ray Vision Angers Cara’s Mission
Can Xylophone Music Verify Agony?
Xylophones Can Aggravate Many Vixens.
X-rays Make Cara Mighty Vivacious
(watch out G! hee hee)
🙂 kate
Cara, it was great seeing you in person, and I’m still interested in having you photograph my guy if you are, too! If you were dazed, you were at least dazed and gorgeously sparkly.
Veronia, XMas Rock, Amber Waves, Citrine, Moss Agate
(A shopping list mnemonic I thought you might appreciate…)
Xavier Can’t Admire Vegetable Matter
Gorgeous purchases! 🙂
OMG, these are cracking me up! Great contest! Here’s my entry:
Chrysanthemums and xylophones vex Madonna.
A Xenophobic Cat Must Vegetate
Man, if BMFA sold out in 2 hours, I wonder if I could even make that much yarn in the next year to sell.
I’m having so much fun reading these 🙂
X Chromosomes vex a man.
Xavier Musketeers Are Very Cool!
Go Muskies!
Natalie, Xavier University Class of ’98 🙂
OMG~ You didn’t tell me about the Bruce mags from RC. That is waaaay coool. I knew you’d like the album if you gave it a chance. Bruce is so creative and makes all music his own (and ours).
The fibers you bought are fabulous. We like the same things and we might end up fighting over stuff and Rhinebeck;-)
Awesome Bruce covers! Those are real keepsakes. I’m with you on Bruce–he needs the E Street Band (not just any band, the E Streeters ONLY)–but the new album has gotten such good reviews I was thinking about buying it. You’re a much more devoted fan than I am in that, at this point, if the E Streeters aren’t involved, I’m not always there. Have you seen the movie Diner? When I met my to-be-husband, he grilled me on Bruce. Only his questions were easy because he never in a million years imagined I was a real fan. Once he discovered I was a Bruce fan AND a J. Geils fan, I officially became Dream Girl.
Valium & Xanax Aren’t Cara’s Medicenes – Bruce is!
Again, I say a non-fiber festival weekend would be fabulous.
Vicki
Always
Craves
Merino
Xtra soft yarn
Meadow, Valley, X A City
In honor of your naturally-dyed wool…
Vinegar, Cochineal eXtract, Alum Mordant.
In honor of my CO-induced dry skin…
Anne’s Xerosis Mocks Various Creams
Here ya go:
Xavier missed vivacious Auntie Cara.
Xylophones make vociferous calls, always. =)
I was the one who originally had the pink three waters sock yarn! I’m glad that it inspired you to pick some up because it’s so pretty, soooo soft, and would be perfect for some Jaywalkers. I’m glad that you were able to make some good purchases even if you wren’t entirely into the festival. It is a lot.
Compassionate male vampires against xenophobia
OMG I listened to some cuts from that BS album on the weekend and wanted to ask if you had heard it…it is awesome!!! well, I mean, what else would it be!!
Be back with my entry later but gorgEOUS yarn purchases and the fleece is stunning or is it the fleeces are stunning??? who cares it is all fabulous!!!
You are SO right Cara…MS&W is all about the people! And then, the fiber 🙂
X-men Vineyards Makes A Cabernet
Dateline Maryland:
Cara Made Victories Against Xenophobia. Ms. Cara did it by bringing together many strangers at Maryland Sheep and Wool. She will be receiving her award at the next meeting of the no longer Xenophobic Knitting Society. Be sure to check this column next week when we see Cara Milking Very Anxious Xerus.
Can Victor Xerox my ass?
I love the rings. And all your new goodies.
You summed it up perfectly. While the fibers are nice and the getting together with old and new frieds is really fabulous, the crowds really do take away from the experience. It was one of the reasons I didn’t go this year. My SABLE level of stash combined with the pushing of the double stroller really added up to a less than enthousiastic desire to immerse myself in that sea of humanity.
Having said that, you got some really nice stuff. Oh and that cormo? Oooooh. I so love Foxhill Farms cormo. Alice breeds some very lovely sheep and every year I manage to pick up one of her fleeces. Cormo is indeed a dreamy fiber. It has the softness of merino without the slickness. The breed certainly inherited the best of both of its fibery parents (merino and corriedale). Enjoy it!
Xerox Machines Always Claim Victory
At least, they do unless you can sweet talk them…
X-rated
Movies
Cast
Ample
Vixens
That was fun! I really loved seeing all your spinning fiber! I keep trying to talk myself out of spinning as a hobby. You’re not helping! 😉
Autumn Causes Much Xanthophyll Viewing
– a little commentary on the leaves in New England 😉
I totally understand where you are coming from with your experience at the MS+WF. I was going to go, but then I think I choked. I really can’t stand the crowds of people and I really like to take my time and look everything over. There is a small fiber festival near Rochester NY that is pretty good! Grafton Fibers was there as well as Spinning Hill. And you don’t have to fight to see anything! I think the only reason I would go is to meet all the blogger friends. You look like you got some very lovely things. Enjoy!
PS – I really think I need to go to Rhinebeck though…. 😉
Cara Analyzes Marvelous Xeric Vineyards.
For me, crowds=cranky. But I still think I’d like to try it once. Too bad it’s on the wrong coast.
Meeting Cara Very Awesome & Xciting
X-ray Vision Accelerates Maniacal Crafting
MSAW *sounds* like a good idea, but it seems the popularity of it in recent years has overwhelmed many. Maybe one day I’ll attend……
Cara! X-rated movies are vulgar!
Malodorous Xenophobia? Cunning Vixens Arise!!!
X-rays Make Carnivorous Arachnophobes Vexed.
I wanna learn to spin … I guess I shouldn’t whine, I should just go learn!
My Art Causes Xtra Volume (SABLE) 🙂
Volatile Xbox Magicians Abscond Cod.
Not that it makes any sense…
Men Can Act Very Xenaphobic (as apposed to women who are eminentely more fair minded 🙂 )
I take my cue from Noam Chompsky:
The original: Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
My homage:
Cantankerous mauve vixens act xenially.
Cara Visits Maryland And Xanadu!
Xylophonists aways carry various mallets.
Sounds like you had a blast seeing everyone!
All Men Can Vacuum Xylophones
I am in Alaska, so will probably never be able to go to any fiber fests, I just have to live vicariously through all of you!
Actually, Cara makes Virginia Xanadu.
oh — and I love the little basket on your wheel –good idea –now you need a little horn!!
Valerie Makes Xylophones And Cymbals
Vicuna, corriedale, merino, angora = Xhaustion!
What are you talking about not buying anything? Love the roving–can’t wait to see how it whips up.
Just wanted to leave you a photo of bruce that was on my radio station’s blog: http://depts.washington.edu/kexp/blog/?p=77
enjoy!
That snapdragon roving you got looks IDENTITCAL to some Ashland Bay merino roving that I have. Same colorway with the same name even.
I really like Carolina Homespun (carolinahomespun.com) for all my spinning needs. Morgaine is amazing and VERY nice. I think she was actually at MSW, but I’m not sure.
X-chromosomed Cara Makes Very Artistic knits.
Ooooh, a contest for MDSW goodies? SO. IN.
Lessee … Anne Craves Maryland Xenophobic Vittles. There ya go.
I missed y’all.
love the typewriter rings. i had a watch made out of typewriter keys, but i lost it last year. i think at a mud hens game. 🙁
here’s my entry:
Varigated Cats Adore X-Men Movies.
Xerxes vexes Cara and me.
(Do I get extra points for a heavy use of the letter X?)
Oh, my God! So many good entries, and English is not even my first language!
Well:
X-rated Maryland Viewing – Caution Advised!
(Translation: I must be careful while viewing yarn and fiber p*rn from Maryland, or I’ll be tempted!)
Fun contest! Here’s my entry:
Violinist & Xylophonist Missing After Concert
Love the cool rings, by the way!
Xenic
Cara
Analyses
Vitulin
Mouflon.
Great buys!
I think day two is where it’s at for shopping, less crowded, but then some of the “good stuff” is gone. It’s a trade-off, I guess. I go for the friends more than the fiber. Oh, and I totally looked at that snapdragon colorway even though I don’t spin. I, for one, am glad you were there because it was great to see you!
My Cranium Xplodes After Vacations (aka my brain is fried from the trip!)
At least I can say I met you (2 minutes do count, right?) before you retired from the MDS&W…but I hope you change your mind and come back next year.
Those rings are awesome and now I’m upset because I didn’t see them. 🙁
Can’t wait to see your January 15 Spinel socks.
Many Crotches Are Very Xerothermic.
Vicious Xenophobe Munches Chitlin Appetizers
A Very Merry Xmas, Charlie-Brown!!!!!!!!!!
Angelina chases vexing xenophobic moths
Xena Ate Very Cold Menudo.
************
For the record, I hate Menudo soup.
Nice Haul!
HMMM how about:
CARA ALWAYS VOLUNTEERS XTRA MEED.
(Claiming poetic license on the ‘extra’)
Meed is a real word 😉
6 Bruce RS covers AND fiber goodies? Girl, you’ve been living right. The green-eyed monster is in the house over here, lemme tell you.
As a fellow Bruce fanatic, I feel the need to push the mnemonic envelope just a little:
Adam Raised a Cain
Candy’s Room
Meeting Across the River
Valentine’s Day…
X-cellent!
Dammit! I was totally planning to go back to Barn 3 and get myself a typewriter ring on Sunday but I forgot :(.
I’m glad I got to hang out with you some – and see the Bruce covers handout in person (it was a touching moment).
And I second the opinion of some others that Sunday is much better crowd-wise, but there are some things that are gone (like the STR).
And there’s one more thing…
Madam, Xylem Always Combusts Vigorously!
Crowds are yucky. That’s one thing I liked better about Rhinebeck — more breathing room. sometimes I like to wander around by myself!
Love the typewriter rings, and the contest. Here’s my entry:
Xeroxing Makes Carrieoke Act Vicious.
still bitter from work today.
The A can only stand for Altoids, without which there would be no Altoids tins. The others aren’t letters, they are roman numerals.
MCXV A — 1,115 Altoids.
A Cautious Mama Verifies eXagerations
My Version Creates A Xanadu.
The new wave in terrorism:
Xenophobic Caribou Attack Visiting Moose
PS – I have antique typewriter earrings with my initials. Wouldn’t a ring complete the set? 😉
X-rays Can Visually Alarm Me.
This is actually true. 😉
X-Men are cool, vigorous mutants.
Oooo, gorgeous fiber (and Bruce, too – I just bought his new album today)!
Cats Make Very Awkward Xylophonists.
hope this isn’t too crude… but i couldn’t not put it up for an option.
“X Chromosome Means A Vagina”
??? hehe. oh well, i think it’s funny! LOL
Melanies X, Consider A Vasectomy!
VCMAX
very cool marchers against xenophobia
Violent Aardvarks Xerox Chitinous Marmosets
What beautiful fiber you got! Love the snapdragon! It was great to briefly meet you, the shawl was awesome!
Very Marvelous Xylophonists Are Cattle.
*what, you didn’t know that?)
Hmmmm… how about
A vacationing xenophile cast-on mittens.
You might like Cummington – much smaller and relaxing. But I’ve never been to Maryland.
Make Amazing Cara Xerox Volumes!
So happy to have met you! I loved your black shawl and I was intriqued with the bead work you did on it! Hope to be able to chat with you longer next time!
Xray the Magnificent Cabled Aran Vest to see beauty.
Voracious cast-ons meet at Xanadu.
(Zanadu = knitters’ paradise xoxoxoxo)
xenophobes can act very moronic
Don’t have a blog, but had to de-lurk to enter this great contest.
cbknits80@yahoo.com
Xavier’s Mama Adores Valiant Cara
LOVE the typewriter jewelry, and that snapdragon fiber is beautiful. Can’t wait to see how it spins up. Welcome home…
I enjoy reading your blog and thought I’d put in for the awesome prizes!!!
Volcanic
Xplosion of
Absolutely
Colorful
Merino
Thanks again! 😉
village anarchist makes cute xenophobe
But, but ….
Maryland’s Venison Xpect Cara’s Attendance!
Sorry, but that’s the first thing that popped in my head, and I can’t see the letters saying anything else.
We’ll miss you if you don’t go!
Xylophone Music Can Accelerate Verve.
Many xylophagous critters are vegans.
🙁 I’m so sorry you didn’t have a better time. I admit there were several stalls where I REALLY wanted to browse and the hordes had me backing off, making a mental note to return…which I didn’t.
It was my first MSW and my friends bailed too. DH who chides me constantly about my stash offered to come. I’ve nominated him for sainthood b/c he said nothing…not one peep about my purchases, the heat, the crowds or how long we stayed. I had the best time. Best in ages.
Cara, I saw you and G heading out with minions between us and couldn’t shout out a hello. Second chance foiled. Drat!! If you’ll reconsider, you are welcome to stay at my house next year.
…as for the contest, I’m thinking…
Xeriscaping Makes A Choice Vocation.
🙂
Xavier Musters All Courage, Victoriously
Love the snapdragon fiber, I almost got some of that myself. Your shawl was even more gorgeous in person, sorry we didn’t get to chat longer!
Any
Monday
Can
Validate
Xanax
Your photographs are AWESOME! I surfed in one day and your banner hooked me! That and the fact I knit.
I have done candid’s for my friends of their children. I still use my trustly SLR. What kind of digital camera do you use for your Candid Kids??
My very sad entry is Actually Vixens Cannot Master Xebec’s.
Ooh, that sock yarn from Three Waters Farm looks luscious. Must NOT buy more sock yarn. 🙂
OK, mnemonics:
Xylem verily makes Alex curious.
A Moldovian virago- curiously xenophobic!
X-rated videos may cause apoplexy.
Fun!
So very glad to see you are going to be spinning even more. Partial definition of fine wool top. For better explanations with perfect accuracy, read Alden Amos’ Big Book. This is just the slacker spinner’s cant version. There are lots of different ways to prepare wool fiber for spinning, but the two general categories are worsted prep (combed) and woolen prep (carded).
Top is combed sliver, a worsted preparation. The fiber is washed, then combed and drawn through a diz to make a long strip of sliver with mostly parallel fibers and minimal short bits. About the only way to get something better is to comb the fiber yourself (or get June to do it!).
Sliver that isn’t *top* has either not had the short bits removed and/or is carded and then drawn, not combed. The result is more willy-nilly fibers and thus when you spin your yarn will be more woolen than worsted. If you card a woolen batt and draw it through a diz, that is not top, just generic sliver.
Worsted spinning is short-draw or inchworm, maintains the parallel alignment of the fibers, and creates a dense, lustrous, smooth yarn. Woolen spinning is long-draw, allows air pockets between the every-which-way fibers, and yields a yarn with texture, elasticity, and cush.
Combine worsted prep with worsted spinning for the smoothest, most durable worsted yarn. Combine woolen prep with woolen spinning for a woolen yarn with the maximum bounce-back, cush, and texture. Semi-worsted has worsted prep and woolen spinning. Semi-woolen has woolen prep and worsted spinning. Only true worsted/worsted is a worsted yarn. (Follow Rosemary B’s link below for her article on this.)
Wool fleece is graded; if you’ve seen “## microns” that’s the fiber diameter and means it was graded. There are three standard systems. Read here to learn — it’s rather interesting. What’s really fun is to go to a fleece judging at a fair and listen to the judge evaluate each fleece. Illuminating!
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt8380ag.pdf
If the grower is raising animals that are typical of their breed, then something labeled Cormo will be within the range of stats for that breed (see RB’s article). Typically, “fine wool top” is 70’s (Bradford or English Count), “super-fine” would be 80’s and better. 50’s is okay for sweaters but not super soft. My guess is much of the domestic USA 70’s we’re seeing on the market now is fine Corriedale, Corrie X Merino, and Rambouillet X’s. Rosemary B. has a good selection of short articles for spinners — here’s one on wool breeds:
http://www.textilelinks.com/author/rb/971111.html
Ah, here’s a vendor, Elizabeth, who gives the grade of the fiber in most of the descriptions. Very helpful!
http://www.fiber2yarn.com/
Hope this helps. You definitely bought a really nice array of fiber to spin — I tend to be pedantic and stick to one grade or one color per fair. It will be interesting to see how you manipulate the colors in your spinning and plying.
Cara’s Xanthochromic Mule Ate Vines
Here’s my go at it:
Mama’s Children Are Very eXcited!!
:O)
X-rated crocheting vexes my ass.
Glad you got to see everyone! Hey, where is it that I could find out what all the colorways are for STR? I need to get some of that sometime. I can hook you up with more of the 3 waters farm yarn – the lady lives nearby and sells at the LYS and farmer’s market.
Cari Acts in Violent X-rated Movies. (Not really, though. Okay, just the once.)
Vociferously X-raying My Crazy Aardvark!
“Xena can vanquish mens’ asses!” Sorry..I’m such a nerd!
X-treme
Adventures in knitting and
Motherhood
Craves
Viber (fiber.. in greek- I lie)
Nuff said. Did I win??????
Xmen
Manage
Crime
Avec
Valour
Could X-rays Avert Vanishing Merino?
Hmm…a thought for next year’s newspaper article?
Chaotic Anteaters May Victimize Xylophones.
holy rocks batman, you have a lot of comments.. anyways…
I was exhausted emotionally after that blogger meet up, but I ran back inside to get something or the other, I can’t remember. I found a bunch of stuff I had wanted but could not see durring the MAD RUSH i the morning before lunch. I got the lendrum bobbins I wanted and some pretty blue trekking. I agree it was far to crowded to be fun for the shopping part. I found it stressful and required my concentration not to go mental.
I loved the blogger meetup, I wanted to talk to you more but I am just to shy!!
Oh my, that roving is gorgeous! I’m so jealous, although it probably would have been much too dangerous for me to go, selling my car for fiber is not in my family’s favor. Unfortunately.
Here goes my very uncreative entry (I’m in a bit of a stupor)
Xanthippe can asail violent men.
and
Xenophobia can attack visiting mothers.
Oh well, I tried.
Always
Comb
Merino
Xtremely
Vigorously
ok maybe not.. but it fits the letters..lol
im terrible with words, but here’s my shot anyhow:
Cara’s Maryland Xperience: Astonishingly Vexing
I will get to maryland myself one day! x
Hi Cara,
I live in UK, just ‘accross the pond’, but I was born and spent almost my entire life in Romania, which is somewhere in Est-Europe ( just that you understand why my English is not very good :).
I love your blog , I was searching for Flower Basket shawl when I found it, I love your photos – they are stunning. I like taking photos myself, I have my camera with me everywhere I go, but I am nowhere near being so good :)).
But that’s not the reason I wrote you – the reason is that I had my xanax sessions myself, fighting anxiety for years ( or centuries I could say), and the only thing which put me right was a plant remedy : it’s called Passiflora and it worked great for me. You might give it a try when you’ll have enough of doctors…
good luck and best wishes, Silvia
Xylophones make Cara very anxious?
I won some cards from a contest you did on the sock knitters list a year ago, so I don’t really expect to win again. I just found myself back here from Wendy’s mention of your photograpgy (which is superb) and thought I’d say hi.
I’m afraid Maryland Sheep and Wool has suffered from the current popularity of knitting/spinning. It used to be much more agricultural fair feeling, there’s nothing about Fiber Arts in the name even! I would take the kids to see the working dogs and shearing demonstrations and eat and listen to the music. I think I’ll just stay away for a few years until the frenzy dies down again and sheepiness becomes an odball interest again.
“Cyrus,” asked Xenophon, “veal moussaka?”
Xena And Vena Made Caramel
xrays change austere mouton violet
A Cute Man Vexes Xena
a very merry xylophone concerto!
Another Cranky Vagabond Maddens Xena
How fun! This is quite the popular post Cara! Ok here is my go at it:
AHHHH!
Cara
Vacuumed
My
Xanax
Microwaved Xylem Averts Vegeterian Cryophobia.
it makes sense, too!
Milk Cows Aren’t Very Xenophobic.
(I love all the beautiful fibery goodness you have pictured on your blog!) 🙂
First time viewer here, thanks to Wendy’s link – love your two diamond shawls – just learning to knit lace myself – OK – I’ll make a stab at AMCVX:
Merry Cats View Awesome Xavi
Have a great weekend!
Cara monitors e(x)treme virtual arts.
I’ll defend it!! X is an accepted acronym for extreme! (Among other things)!
http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?acronym=X&string=exact&s=r&page=2
Xerox My Very Crazy Ass
(It was the first thing I thought of. Is that wrong?)
Xylidine colors my afghan vermillion.
Try one of the smaller Sheep and Wool festivals. New Hampsire S&W is still small enough to enjoy and what a wonderful way to spend Mother’s Day!
Contests Make All Very Xenodochy!
Vexed
Cara
Acquired
X (meaning unknown quantity)
MSW
Cara acquired voluptuous x-rated movies.
(Okay, it’s lame, but it is Friday, and my brain lost “creative” by Wednesday!
Xena
Could
Manufacture
A
Victory.
At least, she always seemed to win 🙂
I avoid the crowds by getting there way before they open. Of course I live 25 minutes away so that is pretty easy 🙂
You’ll have to click on my name to get the full effect. (This is an illustrated mnemonic.)
OOooops. Did you mean 11:59pm EASTERN time? I’m in Wisconsin, so it was only 11:10 pm here. I had the uh-oh moment when I came back to see my post.
Pleasepleaseplease don’t disqualify me [/whine]