Images From Maryland Sheep and Wool

Warning -- image heavy post ahead. I didn't get my camera out as often as I should have (but I still did better than I normally do). Here are a few of the things that fascinated me while I was at MS&W.

The real stars of Maryland Sheep and Wool are the sheep. And there are just so many different kinds of sheep to look at. Big sheep, little sheep, young sheep, mature sheep. rams and ewes, sheep with and without horns, sheep of all sorts of colors and textures. A few of my faves are here:

Karakul Sheep

The Karakul were probably my favorite -- but only because they almost didn't look like sheep to me. Their fleece was long and straight and they reminded me more of llamas than sheep from a wool perspective. They look cuddly, but Claudia assures me that their wool is really not very good for garments -- rugs and carpets. Apparently it's long staple and kind of coarse.

Baa Baa Red Sheep

I don't remember which breed these little red guys belong to, but they were sure cute! I saw several more of them being walked around the fair grounds on leashes (only at MS&W would you not be surprised to see a sheep on a leash!). I love the color.

Handsome Sheep in Profile

Yes, it's another sheep from a breed I can't remember the name of. If I had to guess tho, I'd guess that its a breed that has some Merino heritage. I just thought this guy looked regal and self possessed.

Sheepy Fun On the Playground

Who needs a carousel when you can have a sheep-go-round? I have no idea what these folks were selling. Sheep replicas of some kind for those of us who can't have our own live specimen in our back yard?

Fleece Sale Corner

Not too far from the sheep-go-round was the huge area set aside for raw fleeces. I stayed away from this area because I just don't have any interest in unwashed sheep wool (although I suspect my cats would get off on it), but I was intrigued by the bags of fleece and all the people digging through it. I suspect even if I learn to spin, I won't find much alluring about processing the raw stuff. But you never know, I could change my tune.

Tailgate Sock Party

All we're missing are the brats and the brewskis. Silvia kindly took this picture of Bonne Marie, me and Claudia furiously working on our socks Sunday afternoon just before we headed back to the airport. Apparently we were an amusing sight for a lot of people as we got many offers of picture taking and many friendly comments in passing.

The best part of MS&W truly was meeting all the people and hanging out with a wonderful crowd of folks. What a treat to meet Leigh, Claudia and Silvia in person for the first time. They are all as witty and wonderful as they seem on their blogs. Silvia kindly brought me some white Phil'Onde that she had left over from her Onde sweater project. So now I can knit on in confidence on that project. Claudia and Silvia also acted as native guides. Nothing like having help finding the best vendors and the neatest stuff in the park. And not just fibery vendors -- the soap from GotSoap.com smelled to fabulous to leave at the fair.

And you can never beat an evening with Bonne Marie and Carolyn who I'll get to see again tonight at KIP. Could there be more fesitvals in my future? Quite possibly. I've been told I might get a spinning lesson if I can find a way to get to Rhinebeck. Who could resist an offer like that?