Blocking Trouble

I have so much trouble blocking my projects. No it is not because I don't know what I am doing but it's that little fellow in the picture. I don't have that extra room to put my projects on the floor to dry.

This is Shadow my baby boy. I've had him for three years. I found him outside and he was about 6 months old. I was not looking for another cat after I put my two other babies down but he was out there with some bad weather coming and I just couldn't see him staying out there. He is the perfect cat. I have no trouble with him even with my yarn - really how much more can I ask for.

Of course with most cats if you put something new down and it could be a piece of paper they sniff it and lay down as if to say, "Look what mommy gave me, something new to lay down on." So with blocking items it is impossible to block it in peace. But I think I found a place I could put it. There is a spot that is hidden that he does not go around. I forgot about that and I tried that spot and for the first blocking it worked. I will see if he discovers my new find.

Not everything needs to be blocked. Like this red shawl. It's called Definitely Diagonal Scarf a free pattern found on Ravelry. I like the natural way the stitches flow. I don't want to stretch them out. But this other shawl from the Knit Simple magazine Spring/Summer 2015 called Short-row Shawl needed blocking. Look at the difference. The shawl looks all shriveled up but you bring it to life with blocking. I really loved the construction of both shawls.

Blocking opens and defines the stitches, especially when you are using lacy stitch pattern and it shapes it better. I love seeing the end result of a good blocking. There are several different ways to block. I used the complete emerge in water blocking because I wanted the water to soak through the whole thing and then stretch it out. You have to be careful not to wring it out but squeeze out gently the excess water. Then with a dry towel I placed the shawl on it and let the towel soak up more water. Then comes laying it out, pinning it down and checking the measurements you want or from the pattern. Let it dry and if you need to change the towel do so then let it completely dry.

21st Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival

Saturday and Sunday, September 12th - 13th was the Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival in Lambertville, NJ. It is a smaller festival and that is what makes it great for those that can't walk a lot and have never been to a festival before. It's like the Turtle Back zoo in New Jersey I use to volunteer at. It was big enough to get a taste of a zoo especially for really young kids without traveling to New York to the Bronx Zoo which is huge. So for those that live in NJ this is great. Start small then go big.

I really looked forward to going to the festival and I always get a kick out of one of the events there the sheep dogs gathering the sheep show. The dogs are so dedicated to their job and almost don't want to listen to command because they don't want to take their eyes off of the sheep. The dog they had stood like a statue. He actually didn't move for a long time but he finally laid down.

I went with a former student of mine that has never been to a festival before. She has been purchasing wool and it was good that she could see parts of the process including how yarn is spun and sheared. She was fascinated over how the spinner could get the proper weight of the yarn. Skill is needed since I tried hand spinning, in fact at this festival several years ago. I quickly put it down on my bucket list when I find more time to work with it. We both really enjoyed the road trip. Now she knows what to expect when the larger festival comes in October.

And of course you look forward to seeing what vendors will be here. I'm sure there are those that look forward to their favorite vendors to see what they have.

It only rained once which was a downpour but only lasted a few minutes. We had just finished watching the dog and sheep herding show so that was great timing. This festival has four barns that are closely connected to each other which makes it good for rainy days.

When it came to purchases I was very good. I got one hank of hand-dyed DK weight 100% superwash merino wool from the vendor Traveller. It is a beautiful green variegated yarn which has an appropriate name - Moss Man. And there was a vendor Lynchings modern neck wear there that weaves scarves and I loved the colors and had to get this one that has speckles of colors throughout. And for some reason I think I will have time to get into the needle felting so I brought three bags of roving. But as you can see they are very small because you only need small amounts of it for facial things on stuffed projects like animals and you need eyes or a mouth. Yes I keep dreaming and hopefully I will be able to do it one day. But I knew that Rhinebeck was right around the corner in October so I needed to be good. And I still work at the yarn shop and there is still Michael's. Oh and I forgot about the ball made out of felt with a bell inside I purchased for my baby Shadow (my cat).

Here are a few pictures from our trip.

We had a good time and now we are looking forward to another road trip to Rhinebeck in October.

What My Craft Does For Me

I love having my knitting and crochet in my life. Especially when I am waiting somewhere and I need something to occupy my time.

I was to Motor Vehicles the other day and when I got there it was crowded. I mean the line was long. I've never had to wait in line like that. I went to one that I've never went to before because the one I use to go to closed down. Well, as you can imagine when the guard said that even though you are in line it has been so busy all day you might still not get in. We were all standing in line outside the building and the inside was packed.

Long story short I didn't get in but no time was wasted. I had a large bag of goodies. No I'm not talking about cookies or candy, I'm talking about my knitting and crochet. I got comfortable on the stoop and started in. I worked on a couple of projects and took care of some of those pesky yarn ends. Two projects in particular was this Beret hat from the Knitting Today magazine from an earlier issue of 2011 and BLT Scarf from Ravelry.

I even finally got to read the articles from a newspaper that a student of mine gave me and I had not read them yet. They were from the Home News Tribune and a knitter Pamela MacKenzie writes the articles. I'm glad because she posted some patterns for chemo hats I want to make for donation.

I felt so accomplished but yet I still have to go back for the reason I was there - renewal of my license and registration. I get so excited when I have time I didn't expect to work on. But I was so glad I had my bag of goodies and especially when I see all those other people waiting in line with nothing to do. I don't know how they do it because I would go crazy. I tell people I can wait anywhere and for any amount of time as long as I have my bag full of goodies. I get in my zone and I'm good.

I've been called a bag lady but I was such a happy bag lady. And really what knitter or crocheter that is truly into their art is not a bag lady/man.

Enjoy doing what makes you happy.

Working With Scrap Yarns

In previous posts I talk about how I love using my scrap yarns for projects. Below are a couple of projects I made with my scrap yarns. But I was going through that pile of UFO's and wanted to continue with this project - Bavarian Crochet.

This technique stitch pattern gives you the opportunity to do so much with colors but you can start out using scrap yarns. Yes - start out because after you get further into the project if it is not at last a half of a skein of (regular size) yarn you will not finish a round. This is a yarn eating project for sure. Well, a lot of crochet projects use more yarn than knitting does.

My pattern of colors I chose to do was using variegated yarn for one round then taking two colors out of the variegated yarn for the next two rounds. Then take a different variegated yarn and do the same thing. I am at that point that I used all of my half skeins of yarn and I need to go out and buy. What is great about this project is that I could determine the size but what is not so great is that I have to figure out how many skeins I will need for each round when it gets bigger. I want to make sure I get the right dye lot. But with this project if there is a color difference it really won't show. Lovin that. Working with different colors is a lot of fun and exciting just waiting to see the end result.

I have one more variegated yarn left and two that go well with it so after that a trip to Michael's I go after I figure out what color I want next. I will show my progress.

The Pleasure Was Mine

It was my pleasure and honor to work with this woman that has come into the knit shop from time to time recently. I've seen her but had not helped her before. Well, I did this weekend. What makes her special? She is 100 years old. You don't get to meet someone of that age every day. She has been trying to knit again after 40 years but she wants it to be perfect. She has trouble with her sight and hearing but who wouldn't at 100. But she can still work those fingers enough to work those needles.

She is making a scarf for her son. He brings her to the shop which is so cute. He wants her to enjoy her knitting and I think it is so nice to see that he takes the time out with his mom since it is not always the son that does that. He sits patiently with his kindle every time as we help her. She was doing the seed stitch but that back and forth between knits and purls was really too much. She kept ripping the scarf and starting all over. So after talking with her son I suggested that she use the seed stitch part (she had six rows)for the bottom border and knit (garter) until she had the length then finish with a top border of seed. She agreed and was happy to knit away.

We take so many things for granted in life. The simple fact of being able to knit or crochet becomes huge as I watched this woman with the desire to do more but was limited because of age related issues like clearer eye sight and a stronger ability to remember. It made me again appreciate more what I can do and how much I can do.

She had said that I was very encouraging. No she is the one that is encouraging. Because despite her age and limitations she refuses to give up. I hope I get to see her and work with he again. But for now the vision of this day will stick with me every time I pick up my needles and my eyes can see the stitches and my mind can let me learn more and my hands can function. She really made my day.

Just the ability of being able to do what I do is huge. Thank you for my lesson in appreciation. So if you are not that old and your hands can work some learn from this woman and use her as your encouragement if you find that you are getting in your own way.

So what have I been working on? Oh several projects.

I love fingerless mitts. In the office that I work at it is cold. In the winter I feel colder. I'm always wrapped up in one of my shawl wraps but also my fingerless mitts come in handy because I am typing all day and my hands get cold. I know these crochet fingerless mitts are designed with an open work but I thought they were cute so I made them anyway. They took no time at all since it is done using the V-stitch pattern.

My second project is a knit shawlette. It is done with garter stitch increasing as you go then an open work bottom border gives it that extra pizzazz. The yarn I am using is the Painted Desert and it is 100% Superwash Wool. I love how in this project the colors stripe so well. Not that I was looking for stripes. Unless you look up projects online that use this yarn you don't have an idea as to what it will do but I really like it. And it is soft.

I love shawls but don't have the time or sometimes the patience to work on a more intricate shawl. I don't always want to work with the charts even though I love all those shawl patterns that are out. I did start a couple of shawls a while back and they are still in the UFO pile in wait. The little wraps will have to do for now.

My third project that I am showing is a little crochet case let's say. I saw this pattern and loved it but I said, What do I need a case for?, I know, when I go to the bathroom at work instead of carrying my bag I could carry a small case for the things I need. And with this pattern I can use scrap yarns. I love to be able to find little projects that I can use my leftover yarns for and this was it.

I do have a few more projects but I will leave that for another day. All of these projects will be on my flickr once they are done. Enjoy what you do to the fullest.

Longwood Gardens

It has been a week already since my trip to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. I would recommend that place for a day trip. What is so great about Longwood Gardens is that you can visit in each season and there is always something wonderful to discover. It is so tranquil and a great place to take a seat on a bench and knit or crochet.

So what is Longwood Gardens you might ask? As the name gives you a big hint it is a garden. It sits on 1,077 acres. The famous Pierre S. du Pont is the founder. It is an array of beautiful trees, plants and flowers of all kinds. It is usually known for its intricate fountain display. Some of the fountains were used for a special lights in different colors show with classical music on certain nights. The show was fantastic. But the fountains are being renovated so attention is drawn to the meticulous gardens, architectural displays and a beautiful conservatory.

For this trip my focus was on the lilly ponds. They just captured my attention because they were in full bloom. There were lots of dragon flies which are one of my favorite insects. I love their colors. When I was growing up I thought that they stung but found out they didn't and I became fascinated by them. The fascination was seeing the day flowers close and the night flowers open as the evening came.

		Topiary Garden
Day Lilly Pad Flowers
Night Lilly Pad Flowers - I was able to see them close and open in the evening

Because the fountains are being renovated there was another show that was new for the evening. This was the opening day for the show. The name was Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience. I know when it comes to art everyone has their own opinion about it. Well, with this I kept saying, 'Beam me up Scotty'. it was the music that had me saying that. I felt an eerie feeling. Some of the show I liked and other parts of it I didn't. There is too much walking. The show was spread out across a certain part of the grounds. I walked around all afternoon to see the grounds and the wonderful Observatory so when it came to walking for the show it was too much.

It was a show of lights illuminating off of the trees. One of the parts I liked where they had the light illuminating off of the trees and it was by the water so it looked like waves of the sea and dolphins jumping out of the water and back in. That was neat to see. The other part I loved was at the topiary gardens and what they did with that. My opinion is just that and when you visit you will have your own opinion. All in all Longwood Gardens is a place to visit with all its beauty among the trees, flowers and I forgot about the birds you see and architectural designs. And I also can't forget their dining aea because the food is good. And when you think about it doesn't that just go so nice with our knitting and crochet. The wold of color and design.

If you are able to just visit and see for yourself that it is a piece of treasure for the Pennsylvania area.

My Vacation South

It has been almost two weeks since my trip to South Carolina. My aunt, cousin and I drove down to visit my youngest aunt who moved down there a year ago. My family is from South Carolina so there are other cousins to visit also.

It was, I would say, a biter/sweet trip. When we arrived that Wednesday we were hit with the news that a man went into a church and ended up killing 9 people. We were on vacation but it would not stop our hearts from feeling heavy sadness as we heard the details. It had confirmed the two hour conversations that I have had with friends and others that prejudice is still alive but just not so visible. And from time to time it really brings up its ugly head to remind us. So the whole time that we were there we went pass the church every other day because we went downtown to the market and a couple of restaurants. S we saw the media and an overwhelming array of flowers and notes to share their grief and sympathy to family, friends and the whole city as they grieved their loss. It is just another piece that shows how broke up this world is.

All in all we had a good time since we were with family. We took turns driving but my cousin did most of it. So you know what I was doing when I wasn't driving - knitting and crocheting. I actually was working on a couple of UFO's from the past and you can see those through my flikr on the left. My cousin warned me about how much I was bringing because she knows me. When I have that much time I bring papers I could go through and my projects. In fact, I would rather bring more of my papers and projects then clothes and other items. I just feel good when I could look back on my day and say that I took advantage of time. I relaxed a little but we were on the go too much to relax. But I tell you one thing, when we went to those popular places to eat there was always a wait time and a couple had a line out the door. The food was worth the wait. I love going to a place to eat and see a lot of people because that usually means the food is fresh and moving but also that the food is good. But who wants to just wait. I was busy with a project or something else to do. I could have sat in a corner somewhere and just work on my projects and I would have been good. I would have done that outside if the weather wasn't a high 98 to over 100 degrees.

Besides the few I posted on my flickr I finished this shawl which I really love because it is using short rows in a different way to make the shaping. You have middle stitches and on each end of the stitches you are decreasing taking one stitch from the middle stitches and one stitch from the stitches left on either end as you get to that side. They are worked in making that great round shape. This shawl will block out beautifully and then you can see the end result through my flickr. Of course I have those yarn ends to take care of. It is so soft. I used the Sirdar Snuggly - Babybamboo yarn, 80% Bamboo and 20% Wool.

I did get to a yarn shop. It was The Village Knittery, 102 Central Ave., Summerville, SC. It was a lovely shop and the women that works there was so nice. I talked with her for a while and then I made a contribution by buying some yarn for a project. How could I resist - LOL. So if you are around that area that is a shop you can visit because it is the closest one around.

I always enjoy the beauty of the clouds and water so as we passed I had to take a few pictures. It is one thing that looks peaceful and calm.

Embracing The Whole Process

With everything there is a process and there is no exception with our knitting and crochet. Some of the process we will love and a few of the other pieces of the process we don't. The parts of the process that I don't like are yarn ends and seaming. That wonderful task that puts a finishing touch to our project, those pesky strands of unused fluff that gets in our way as they hang down in mid air as unused yarn, those openings that you keep staring at as if they could sew themselves shut - they don't. I have UFO's that only need those finishing touches and yet they sit and wait until that day comes that I say I'm in the mood to finish. As you see my finished projects through my flickr you notice I love working with color but changing colors mean more yarn ends - yuck! I always fight with that process knitter and crocheter inside me. Meaning let me enjoy my knitting and crochet then move onto the next project. Oh, but wait, they are not finished. NO - because I love the process of just making those stitch patterns.

There was a couple of times that I loved yarn ends and that was when the designer incorporated them into the design as fringe. That method was used in a couple of crochet projects I did. No yarn ends to weave in and I was a happy camper - yah!

But if there is anything that I can encourage you to do is once you see that you have things flowing as they should, start weaving in those yarn ends. With almost every project there will be yarn ends whether it be one, two or 50. But if you can get a handle on them it won't look like the picture below with all that extra work to do before you can say, 'My project is complete'.

When it comes to seaming your pieces together, it could help if you are not familiar with seaming to take that extra step and do a sample of two squares in either the garter stitch or stockentte stitch and practice before you do your main project. Not only will it benefit you to be better at it, but you will potentially avoid continuously taking your seam apart because you are dissatisfied with it.

Below is a picture of a dog I crocheted. I love him with his several colors that was called for in the pattern. I loved it also because he is made using my scrap yarns. But I can't even tell you how long it has taken for me to finish him because I avoided sewing him together and then I didn't know how to do the kind of face I wanted and how do I sew on the head to finish him. Too much thinking - LOL. Well, thanks to one of my girlfriend that loves needle felting she finished the face by doing some great eyes that I love. And then he sat headless waiting for me to put on the head. My friend would say she would put on the head and I kept saying that no I would do it because I like finishing my own projects. But it never happened. So guess what? I got tired of seeing that cute headless dog and she sewed on the head. He is finally complete and now all he needs is a name. Any suggestions?

Embrace the whole process to the end so that you can enjoy using or giving as a gift your completed project.

Enjoy what you love and learning something new in the process.

My Newest Project

I really enjoyed this project. It came from the book: Scarf Style 2 by - Ann Budd and the cowl is called Cross Timbers. I love the technique Fair Isle but those yarn ends is what I hate when you are working with several color changes. I've mentioned my dislike for this piece of the process in past posts. But this one was great because I am only using two colors throughout the project so there is no changing colors at the end of the rounds. Looking at the design come to life as you do the rounds gets me so excited to want to finish it. I love to see the wrong side of a Fair Isle project because it just looks interesting, Some upholstery fabric have that look where you can clearly see the design from the wrong side.

Let me give you an overview of Fair Isle if you don't know. Fair Isle is a knitting technique. It is a technique that loves color but as intricate that it can look only two colors are used per row or round. So this shows something that looks complicated doesn't always mean it is. Yet there is a certain skill level needed to even do the simplest Fair Isle, as does all other techniques. With Fair Isle you usually will be working with a chart. So you need to know the rules of reading a chart for either knitting straight or working in the round depending on the pattern you choose. Also, you will be working with two yarns simultaneously which you need to get use to balancing as you change one to the other. Changing from one color to the next when another color is introduced is essential. And working with bobbins which are holders for a small amount of yarn because you will not be able to work with full skeins of yarn and be able to control tangling. For this project, I worked with full skeins of yarn because I only had two colors. But if you are working with multiple of colors and a few lines for each two colors it works so much better using bobbins and less tangling.

I hope no matter what your skill level is that you will put this technique on your list to try. There are lots of patterns out there and you could start with a small project like a little purse before you go onto something large or a hat that just has a little bit of Fair Isle to give it more character.

The other thing is that I treated myself to Addi circular needles for this project. When I took them out of the package I just said WOW! The coil was flat - no twist. I love them. With other circular needles I had to put the coil in hot water to help relax it before i start so that they don't twist. So this is a joy for sure. And working with them they are so smooth like butter in my hands. I've heard people talk about Addi needles but never purchased any. Well, I can say that I really enjoyed working with them and will be purchasing another one. That gives me an excuse to pick out a new project just to use another size circular. What can I say. Those patterns call out to me constantly.

Enjoy your projects.

Struggling Yet Feeling Good

I am struggling with two things. One is eating healthy. In order to eat healthy and be cost effective you must cook. And that is one thing that I am not a fan of. But when I am in the mood I do cook A lot and freeze some. So I've been working on eating salads every day and cooking more vegetables which I love. Not the cooking but the vegetables.

The other thing that I have been struggling with is my knitting. It's not the knitting per say, but as I've said in the past I am a process knitter so with some projects I get to a certain place with it and then I move onto a new project without completing the last one. That of course creates a lot of UFO's.

I wanted to start with some of the UFO's to complete them and of course new projects I want to make or have already started. I will be working on a project and see something else and if it is a quick project I will slip it in between. But time is surly not on my side. With working full-time at my regular job and then working at the knitting shop and other places I teach time is scarce. Crazy world we have built filled with wonderful colors of yarns and a great selection of patterns to choose from has made it even harder to stay focus on one project. I'm like a mad scientist. When I am into my knitting I don't want to be disturbed and I don't want to go anywhere. Of course, that includes work. I just want to knit.

So I want to share one UFO of a little boys pullover. It's called Infant's Aran Hoodie from an old Crochet World magazine of October 2008. Just because it is an older magazine it doesn't mean you can't find some really great projects in them because you can. You would usually hear of Aran projects in knitting but this one is crochet. It is adorable and I had to make it. Sometimes I knit and crochet for the technique, construction of it or in this case it was just too cute to pass up.

I also needed a cozy for my phone.

So I made that since it was a quicky. And with both I was able to dig into my stash of buttons and I found two I loved for these projects. I love looking at my buttons and using them. I just don't get a chance that often. Two completed projects - Yah! Of course these two projects are not all I've been working on, but I want to leave something for the next time.

Happy crafting.

Time Will Tell

My time has been limited and with working full-time that takes up the biggest chunk of it. But I finally feel that I am finding a handle on managing my time better. I am always working on my schedule and hurrah it is at that point of my efforts I get rewarded where it works out, for a while at least.

With all the craziness that happened last year something actually happened that ended the year on a good note. I started working at a yarn shop. What a wonderful surprise that was since I've been wanting to work in one for a while and thought that it might still be on the back burner. You never know where life is going to take you. The shop is called Knit's Fabulous in the Maple Tree Plaza shopping center, 130 Highway 79, Marboro NJ. I have been able to teach a lot and that's been a joy. The owner is a doll and very down to earth and the manager has joined the ranks of knitting and she is a sweetheart. Check out the website at Knit's Fabulous and you can read about all the artisans that work there. If you are near the area please stop by. It is a wonderful shop with a great array of choices in yarn and other accessories for your knitting pleasure.

I am getting back to my knitting and crocheting and it feels good to be able to. So what have I been doing lately? During every year I always work on some of those UFO's that cry out "help me - I want to be finished" and this year is no exception. I pulled out this crochet vest called Leona - #145-4 that is found on the Drops pattern site (a European company that has all of free patterns but they are not always easy to follow). I was making it out of the Patons Grace cotton and I wanted to finish it but there is a problem. Since I started it and then put it down for a while I have developed a weight gain problem. So the vest does not fit me. What a bummer because it is so nice. I like the construction of it since it is minimal seaming and it did fit nice. I need to go on a health diet anyway because clothes in general in my closet does not fit me either. I am not going to go up another size. So the clothes are staying and the weight has to go - at least some of it. Now the question of the day is will I loose enough to fit the vest? Time will tell. But in the meantime, I just need to put on the edging and a couple of buttons and it is done. So this will be one of my incentives to loose the weight. Stay tune for report.

So what about your UFO's? Have you brought out anything lately that you would like to get back to? I hope it can still fit you. As always, have fun with your craft of choice.

A Funny Thing Happened

I did something that I've never did before. I got to work an hour earlier but unintentional. I was thinking too hard, left the house and had looked at the clock wrong - obviously and while I was driving I looked at the clock and said that time can't be right. Then I looked at my watch and saw it was right. At first I was mad that I had left so early so what am I gong to do. Then it hit me. I have a wonderful chance of using 45 minutes to work on my projects. I always have a project because I work on it during lunchtime. All of a sudden the joy came across my face and I was elated.

There is a picnic bench on the lawn and I took my bag over there, relaxed and knitted. But I first checked the two small trees with budding flowers to make sure none of my friends were there - bees. We really need the bees but I didn't want to see or hear any while I enjoyed my special time.

It was the best thing I could have done to start my day off, especially on a Monday. The weather was beautiful and I had the two beautifully budding trees in front of me and I could smell a scent of sweet aroma. But when it was time to go inside I had such a hard time of it.

I don't have an area where I can sit and knit with flowers and seating where I live so I just wanted it not to end. It put me in such calm mood and it was so therapeutic.

If you have a special place to sit and knit outdoors just don't take it for granted but treasure it because I truly treasured that 45 minutes that I could spend outdoors enjoying the birds singing and looking at the budding flowers.

Enjoy your day.

I'm Back

Yes, Miss Craft Diva is back. Last year was not a good year for me. I had the accident and was dealing with healing and then my mother passed away so I was up and down the road to Virginia and so I wasn't really active in my craft. I posted about my accident because I thought it might help someone else that would go through the same or similar thing.

I have been knitting and crocheting again and a couple of really good things have happened which I will share in future posts. I thought I would return talking about one of the best festivals annually. And I took my first road trip by myself in a long time.

I took a road trip to Maryland for the annual Sheep and Wool Festival. What a wonderful day it was. The weather was perfect, the crowds even though it was a lot of people it wasn't overwhelming. I made some purchases and had me some fun. It has been about 5 years since my last visit there so I enjoyed it even more.

There are days in life that you just want to put it in a bottle and keep it on a shelf when the day is so good. Or you want to start the day all over again just to repeat it. That is how yesterday was It was a great day or should I call it FUNTASTIC! Yes I made up a special word.

I ended up going by myself because one of my former students was going to go but she forgot about previous plans she had made. So I did the road trip by myself. I haven't done a road trip by myself in a long time.

The festival was great and as you can see from the pictures it was variety as usual. They had the sheep dog show showing you how he gathers the sheep and that is always fun to watch. They had a young dog in training so it was really funny because he didn't want to listen because he just was so focused on wanting to do his job so his eyes did not move from eyeing those sheep. He was so excited that it was funny. But he did good. Then the competition with the sheep and competition with what people entered in to the contest of mostly knitted items and they also had a photography contest which was great. There were a lot of vendors. IN fact, when I was leaving I discovered one section I didn't get to but I had enough for the day and I had an ice cream cone in hand so that was a no no.

I really enjoyed shopping which I usually don't. And I love my finds that I purchased which you can see from the pictures. My foot was hurting, well I should say an ache when I started the day and the 3 hour drive didn't help, but after a while of walking around it stopped aching and every chance I got I would exercise by flexing the foot.

My favorite part in going is to see the different animals they have. The sheep, alpacas and rabbits. There wasn't a lot of animals this time but I got a couple of shots. Of course I just love, love the babies and they had some baby sheep which were adorable. And I love to see the different shades of color in the animals fur which gives you an idea of what the yarn will bring out. Over all it was just a wonderful, peaceful and enjoyable road trip. Even the ride was great - no traffic - crazy drivers but I just tuned them out with my music.

If you haven't had a chance to visit the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival plan a road trip for next year. It is usually the same time of year and it is fun. Below are some more pictures i took - enjoy.

4