Showing posts with label New Hampshire Wool Arts Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Hampshire Wool Arts Tour. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Tour

The weather was beautiful this past weekend, perfect for a drive.  I did the New Hampshire Wool Arts Tour and managed to hit four of the six stops.




A couple of the stops are off the beaten path - down dirt roads that twist and turn through the woods.


Across bridges.




Narrow bridges.




One way traffic only.


The Wool Arts Tour celebrates all the fiber arts.  The Fiber Studio had a little bit of everything.  In addition to being a fully stocked yarn store, they have a wonderful, unique button selection.  They also offer fiber, spinning wheels and looms.


There was weaving on display.




And there were several looms with works in progress.


There was needle felting.






I feel in love with these two.  The curly locks, the expressions, the noses, the details.



We went to this stop.




The huge barn at Spinner Farm  was full of vendors.  It was fun to see some familiar faces.  In addition to vendors they had food, ice cream, sheep shearing, pony rides and animals.  This was a full service stop.


During the day I spotted a couple of vendors with these.




Nesting balls.  These open air balls are filled with bits of fiber.  Hang the ball from a tree and the birds will come and gather the fiber for their nests.  Clever and colorful.


There were animals to be seen.




Sheep at Spinner Farm.


And animals to be heard.




Gobbling turkeys at Windfall Farm.


Thanks to all the organizers who made this event possible.  It was a most enjoyable outing.


On the international scene this week marks The Campaign For Wool in Britain.  This event is spearheaded by HRH The Prince of Wales who is promoting wool as a natural, sustainable material.  This campaign is unique in that it has a multi-industry focus - everything from building to fashion.  As their website says, Live Naturally . . . Choose Wool.

Friday, October 8, 2010

For The Weekend

Fall is a beautiful time in New England, and it's extra special for fiber enthusiasts.  There is a fiber event somewhere in the region almost every weekend.  We are definitely spoiled.


I would be remiss if I didn't mention the New Hampshire Wool Arts Tour, a Columbus Day weekend tradition.  Just as the name says it is a tour, a tour of various farms and studios.  This year there are six stops on the tour with several booths at each stop.  There are animals, demonstrations, goods for sale, yarn and fiber aplenty.  It's a beautiful time to be driving the back roads of New Hampshire.  The Tour is an inspiring celebration of the fiber arts community in New Hampshire.


Since I'm talking about events, if you happen to be in the area of WEBS on Saturday, they are having a trunk show for Knitting It Old School.  This book is the collaboration of Stitchy McYarnpants and Caro Sheridan and features vintage inspired patterns.  Sounds like fun.


In the spirit of the season I'm feeling compelled to make some crochet acorns and felted pumpkin bowls.  Go ahead and click on the link. There's a step-by-step tutorial.  Aren't they adorable?


My color inspiration for the week comes fresh from the orchard.




Apple red.


Enjoy the long holiday weekend, and Happy Thanksgiving to our neighbors to the north!