Busy Fall

The first annual Manitoba Fibre Festival was a huge success!  There was so much to see and do that even though it was pouring all day the festival was a buzz of activity from beginning to end.  You could come check out the demonstrations, shop in the marketplace, take a workshop, or listen in on the wool show and buy fleeces.  No matter what area of interest, there was something for everyone here.  People started lining up before the door even opened and we were met with so many friendly faces and all the fibre you could want.  There were spindles, yarn, finished items, fleeces and so much more to pick through and I saw a few people who attend Olds Fibre Week as well and got to chat. 

The wool show had 9 fleeces which also included 1 Angora Goat fleece.  My cousin Susan helped me and we organized the fleeces into categories; fine, medium, long, speciality wools (Shetland) and then Mohair.  There was quite an audience as I judged each fleece and lots of questions.  I had to admit I didn't know much about Angora Goats as my studies have been predominantly in wool but overall every fleece there was in remarkable condition.  They were well skirted and relatively free from vegetable matter.  I awarded ribbons and got to talk to a few of the sheep producers.  The woman who had entered the goat fleece told me she plans on doing the same next year so I'm going to have to read up on Angora goats.  I highly recommend this festival.  It was very well co-ordinated and there were lots of activities and demos and classes to keep everyone interested.  Keep you eyes peeled for the dates on this for next year.

The following weekend I was  at the Cream of the Crop Craft Sale. This one has always been my favourite, because it is the kick off to all the holiday craft sales.  I got to talk to a lot of other vendors and see some really nice handmade items.  Thanks to Jeremy and Lindsay for helping me in my booth and thanks to everyone who stopped by to heck out my items and talk with me about wool, knitting and fibre in general!

My next sale will be Oct 26th and 27th at the Senior Centre in the Neil Balkwill parking lot.  This is the annual Regina Weavers & Spinners Guild sale.  I'd recommend coming to just check out the talent the guild offers, and we will be having coffee & cookies as well.  This sale is well known by many as a very good place to pick up quality, one of a kind items.  Most items here will be handspun, or handwoven. 

Also don't forget that if you are interested in learning a fibre skill, I have my class schedule up here.  If you see a class you like which doesn't fit in your schedule or you have something specific in mind, email me and I can do private lessons as well.

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Kim and Suzuki

And last but definitely not least, Knit Natural is hosting Kim from the Wacky Windmill in a fibre-y trunk show on Oct 17th.  She is my favourite indie dyer, and I'm likely her biggest customer.  The majority of my handspun yarn is from fibre that she has dyed.  No only will she be loaded with fibre but she also dyes yarn, sells knitting needle and crochet hooks, SOAK wash, notions, spindles and everything you need to make a beautiful project.  You can find out more about The Wacky Windmill on her website www.thewackywindmill.com, or you can check out her groups on Ravelry and Facebook.  This is also your chance to buy her items before she heads to Knit City in Vancouver.  If you are interested in attending, email me and I will send you directions.

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