(live)Stock Photos

I didn’t take a lot of pictures at Maryland Sheep & Wool, mostly because I was enjoying myself way too much to keep digging in my bag for the camera, and partly because in the vendor barns there was no room to dig for the camera, even if I wanted to. The whole experience was entirely happy (crowded walkways notwithstanding), if for no other reason than I got to see, pet, and smell sheep.

That’s right, I said smell. I grew up on a small farm (with my grandpa’s real farm down the road) and the smell of straw and healthy livestock is … so comforting, oddly. It smells like home. (Not my parents’ actual house, obviously. Settle down, Mom)

These guys were waiting to be judged, I think. We didn’t really hang out to see the competitions, choosing to shop and chat instead (that’s what happens when two verbose friends only see each other once a year or so).

I tried to get this guy to look at me…

And when he did he was all, May I help you?

And he was humming. Amazing.

Two lambs trying to occupy the same space, and not really succeeding.

And seriously, I could not believe how fluffy this guy was. I mean really.

This was the haul. Creatively Dyed sock yarn on top, some gorgeous purple worsted weight in the middle (my memory fails me now on the company from Maple Creek Farm(s?) in Omaha, whose domain registration has expired, so no link), and organic cotton in three colors on the bottom (again with the not knowing the brand from Misty Mountain Farm in Virginia). I’ll put up better pictures with actual companies later this week…end(?). edited to add: Pictures are coming! It was rainy and grey for a few days here, but hopefully later today I can take some pictures.

Even though I’m not big on all the aspects of the festival (can’t eat the carnival-style food, am only mildly interested in the contests & competitions), I had a great time hanging out with Femiknitter, receiving compliments on my Tuscany shawl (yes, I do plan to do an actual write-up on that soon), and seeing yarn from dyers/spinners/farms/companies I had never heard of, or had heard of but had never seen in person. I’m really happy that I bought yarn only from new-to-me companies, and am super excited to try out new yarn.

(The purple? Destined to become a February Lady Sweater [Ravelry link]. You know, after I finish the 37 other projects I have going right now.)