Cooler days mean it’s time for fiber festivals. If you’ve never been to one, you don’t know what you are missing. They are great family activities, and my now-grown children have fond memories of the hours we spent watching -and sometimes petting – the animals, eating great food, and petting and buying yarn. (Well ok, maybe the yarn thing is just my fond memory.)
Most festivals also feature workshops of all kinds. You can hone your knitting and crocheting skills, learn to spin or weave, learn about animal husbandry and dog training, and more.
Fall Fiber Festival and Sheep Dog Trials
The Virginia Fall Fiber Festival and Sheep Dog Trials in Montpelier takes place October 7 and 8. It’s a nice regional show and a long-time favorite of mine. It’s manageable in a day but offers plenty of variety and entertainment. I’ll be there on Saturday, October 5, signing books and demonstrating rigid heddle weaving in the demo tent. This year, unlike last year, I will remember to bring the heddle.
Rhinebeck
The New York Sheep & Wool Festival, known affectionately as “Rhinebeck”, is October 21-22, 2017. Fiber enthusiasts of all stripes descend on the small Hudson River town of Rhinebeck, site of the New York State Fairgrounds. This one’s a biggie! Bring your comfy shoes, your shopping list, your fat purse, and your hungry stomach, as you’ll need all of those to navigate the show.
I’ll be at the Merritt Books booth all weekend, doing book signings and exclaiming over beautiful handwork.
If you are there, please do me a favor: Buy out my book inventory, because if I sell all they have, I’m free to wander the show!
What’s your favorite fall fiber activity?
