Retail Therapy - A Story of Consollation

I was not able to go to Maryland Sheep and Wool this year and I feel mixed about it.  First, I was over-subscribed. I had just spent several days in Syracuse bowling in the USBC tournament discussed here.  Second,  while I am not yet comfortable with it, I am trying to do less.  I detest starting a full work week tired.  I can become the most unpleasant person by Wednesday of a week like that.

In the end, I'm glad I didn't go, but damn did I miss it.  What's a whore to do when she's cut off from her fibre pursuits?  Well, retail therapy, of course.

I strolled through the offerings on several websites including etsy and decided to  choose a fiber that I don't currently have in my stash. (Those of you who are keeping tabs on the fibre stash...mind your own business here).

I decided on a polwarth top.  According to the info on The Spinning Loft's website, polwarth is soft and fine. This breed was developed in the 1880s when Lincoln/Merino Cross ewes were bred to Merino Rams to produce a dual purpose breed with an emphasis on wool production. Second in softness to only Merino.

This offering from HeadlyGrange is called Green Eggs and Ham (favorite book) and I love it. It's subdued but not boring.I can't wait to get it to the wheel.

I also got this Spinsleydale; it is very exclusive developing breed.  It’s amazingly soft almost transparent fleece with some of the feel of Wensleydale. According the seller, “the bold locks almost seem three dimensional........thus the name Spinsleydale.”

 Lastly, in addition to the fibre purchases, I purchased a half share of Jacob fleece from Jacob's Reward Farm in Parker,Texas. According to wikipedia, the Jacob sheep is a rare breed of small, piebald (black and white spotted), polycerate (multi-horned) sheep.

They're rare, they're small, they're old and their fleece is mine all mine.  I love being a shareholder to a small fiber producer. They blog here.

So in short, I missed my favorite fibre festival, but I was saved by internet shopping...that is...until NY Sheep and Wool this October.  ~ksp