Fiberlicious 2007

Fiberlicious is a local Pikes Peak Knitting Guild sponsored event in the back yard of our current President, Peggy. This was the 4th annual time for the group to gather. During the day we undertook splitting sheep and llama fleeces that were less than clean. The family pets loved the smell and enjoyed rolling in the fibers left behind from horders of all things related to yarn.

Patty, pictured above, demonstrates her wheel. I am extremely grateful to her for taking the time to instruct me on how to use a drop spindle. My drop spindle is a Schacht 3 oz. top or bottom whirl depending on which way you want to use it. There is significant gratification in seeing wool strands spun into a single ply and remembering women's endeavors from centuries past.

Craving a spinning wheel, but I'm not ready for the huge investment of $$. Pictured below is some of the llama fleece Joy brought to the festival day.

Estes Park Wool Market

Paca-vicuna - soft beautiful fiber, slightly smaller than a llama and larger than an alpaca.

What a great day! Very warm but lots of fun plus shopping.

Estes Park Wool Market

Tomorrow is another new day of adventure! Looking forward to seeing the llamas, alpacas, sheep and other animals at the Estes Park Wool Market. Of course, there is the obligatory shopping for fiber. Can't say I'm not looking forward to that as well.

Brown Sheep Mill Tour, Mitchell, Nebraska

Here are the wool sated adventurers from Knitters Kove ready for the return trip to Colorado Springs.

Brown Sheep Mill

On Monday, June 11, 2007, 31 women boarded a bus for Mitchell, Nebraska where the temperatures were in excess of 95 and the humidity numbers matched. What would cause this group to travel from compartively cool and dry Colorado Springs? Yarn, fleece and a tour of a well-known mill for fiber, Brown Sheep Company, Inc.

Upon arrival at the plant, a preliminary explanation of the process was provided outside under the trees. Afterwards the group was divided into three smaller ones to be guided through the facility and see the machinery in operation - carding, spinning, plying and dyeing equipment. No photographs were allowed inside due to possible espionage and theft of family production secrets. (But no photography didn't stop Samuel Slater from brining the initial plans to the US from England!)

Before boarding the bus, we were given the opportunity to SHOP! Skeins being discontinued, seconds, overstock, etc. were made available for us to pick through. The group complied and relieved the Mill of all of its "overstock" and then some. I purchased some off-white superwash wool to use for Aran sweaters for a couple of the younger nieces. Also found
several skeins of Serendipity Tweed in a blue that I might use for a cardigan for myself.