Maryland Sheep & Wool 2008

May 9, 2008 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (53)

We had a wonderful time this year. The weather couldn't have been nicer -- breezy, sunny, but not at all hot.

After 5 years Christy and I have it down pat. We hit The Fold first and while she was in line I wandered a bit (I'm one of three people in the world who don't seem to love STR), then we hit Tess and Brooks Farm and then we just go through each barn. After we hit all the barns it was time for lunch, and then went back to whichever places we wanted to return to after waiting a bit for the impulse of purchasing to wear off.

After that, it was time for some on the grass knitting (next year we will be bringing portable chairs though) and that's where we usually see the bulk of our friends. We sadly missed the Ravelry meetup (I thought it went until 2). It was great to meet some new Knotions readers and it was so much fun to give out Knotions buttons (people even recognized me by my bag!). If I missed you (or if you didn't go to MDSW) and you want a Knotions button just leave me a comment and I'll mail one to you.

Alright, let's see if I can name everyone we saw (or, let's see how many people I can forget): Jessica, Ann, Jody, Jess, Casey, Mary-Heather, Kelly, Liz K, Aileen, Sally, Lolly, Isel, Stacey and Jenna. I think people know to look for us there because we always seem to end up sitting with a big group of women -- that's my favorite part of the day.

OK, buying yarn ain't so bad either.

I pretty much stuck to my list this year:

Upper Left is Tess Supersock in green, turquoise and yellow.
Upper Right is Brooks Farm Mas Acero in black with grey flecks for a sweater. It's a drapey yarn so I have to think about what pattern will suit it.
Lower Left is Kureyon Sock. I know I could buy this close to home too, but I never do and I really want to make some kind of modular sock with it. Plus it's pink and there's no denying myself some pink yarn.
Lower Right is Carodan Farms Worsted for the Le Smoking jacket from Lisa Lloyd's A Fine Fleece. This was exactly the type of yarn I had in mind for this cardi. The jacket in the book is made from a very different yarn -- a soft, cashmere blend -- but I really saw this cardi in something heartier.

Even though I had 2 sweaters' worth of yarn on my list I didn't expect to come home with it. I'm really hoping to use up at least one of the sweater yarns in time for Rhinebeck. I've already started sketching for Rhinebeck sweaters, and the Mas Acero might work for one of them. Of course, if it's anything like last year I should be thinking cotton short sleeve (I think Rhinebeck was as warm as MDSW this year).

With all the deadlines for Knotions (I go from deadline to deadline nowadays) it was great to spend a casual day with one of my closest friends. Spending time with Christy always puts me in a good place, and the wonderful weather and all that yarn reinvigorated my knitting spirit.

53 Comments

Keatyn said:

Sounds like a lot of fun I wish I lived closer to either the Maryland Festival or Rhineback.

May 9, 2008 12:29 PM

Stacey said:

It was great to see you!!! Can't wait to see what you come up with for the new yarns!

May 9, 2008 12:48 PM

Jessica said:

Sounds like a good time was had by all. I totally forgot to snag a Knotions button from you, but maybe I'll see you next month and you can slip me one then? :) Love the yarn choices too!

May 9, 2008 1:05 PM

mai said:

aww, i'm bummed i didn't see you. i missed out on the buttons! i wouldn't want you to waste postage on just one button, but you're so nice to offer the service!

also, STR? so very meh.

May 9, 2008 2:07 PM

Christy said:

Hooray for friends!

I'm so glad I'll be seeing you again very soon. Fingers crossed that the weather next Friday is better than the weather today. I so want to sit outside and drink margaritas!

May 9, 2008 2:08 PM

Chrispy said:

I would love a button. I would have gotten one except the minor fact that MD is a bit far from OR/WA.

May 9, 2008 2:09 PM

Elspeth said:

If you haven't counted me in the 3 people (I had no idea there was anyone out there like me), then it's 4 who think there are thousands of yarns out there, why focus on STR so much?

May 9, 2008 2:20 PM

Shweta Shankar Khatri said:

I would love a button too. I could not be there at Maryland although I wished I could have been. Glad to read you had fun.

May 9, 2008 2:29 PM

kelp! said:

Yeah! It was awesome to finally meet you! That Mas Acero is going to make one fine sweater. I made my endpaper mitts with the sock-weight Acero, and the silk gives it gorgeous depth and sheen.

May 9, 2008 4:43 PM

Specs said:

Love that drapey Brooks Farm stuff. I kept walking by the booth but it was always so crowded that I never went in, and it's my biggest regret of the festival.

May 9, 2008 6:49 PM

Sally said:

It was great to meet you Jodi! Can't wait for the first edition of Knotions - it's going to be fantastic.

May 9, 2008 8:56 PM

Deb said:

Awww I'm sorry I missed a chance to meet you. This was my first year at the festival & attended on Sunday. Needless to say it won't be my last time. The microfiber ribbon I got from Tess is gorgeous along with all my other purchases. Getting a Knotions button woulda been icing on the cake.

May 9, 2008 10:43 PM

Heather said:

Glad you had fun--Tess and Brooks Farm are also my primo destinations, but where was Morehouse Merino?:(

May 10, 2008 8:14 AM

Tania Allen said:

I have not yet even seen much less tried STR. Hubby keeps buying me sock yarn that I love, so I haven't broken down and bought some. I want to but .. there's sooo many other places to get sock yarn.

I wish I mad managed to make it to MSW this year. It would have been my first time. But alas, the funds, they did not allow for such a trip. Maybe next year!

Oh, and Brooks Farm? Always my first destination at SAFF. Did you get to see the new Bamboos/wool blend I've heard they're doing now?

I too would love a button. I'm starting a collection of them, lately. =)

May 10, 2008 8:47 AM

Laurie said:

Oh it looks like you did some damage, even though you didn't get everything on your list. WHAT FUN!

All of your new yarn looks really yummy.

May 10, 2008 11:24 AM

Donna said:

I had such a yen to go to MDSW this year; I wish it weren't so far away! I'd love a button - I'll display it with pride.

May 11, 2008 9:23 AM

Janice said:

I looked for you at the fest, but somehow never quite connected. I would LOVE a button. Thanks so much!