Man's Eye View of the Michigan Fiber Festival, Part 3
By now you're wondering whether the guys actually even decided to take a look in the retail spaces. Maybe animals and heavy equipment were the only things they checked out. They did, at the end, decide to take a pass back through the marketplace barns. What caught their eyes?
I was really glad that they caught this woman on "film". Mom and I had seen her wandering through the barns where we were talking to Kathryn Carras of Haltwhistle Fibers (from whom I bought the Weavette at Maryland -- she's also a member of my mother's doll making club and a pretty avid spinner) and made a note of it since it's not everyday you see someone wearing wings. From my experience, this is even somewhat unusual for a fiber festival. Even faries seem to like fiber.
In all the low tech glory that fiber festivals usually are, Dad and John managed to find a laptop on top of a sheep skin. No idea what they saw on it... the screen looks like it might be showing a picture of cows. No ID on the booth, either. I think this is probably the only picture they took that had a reasonable amount of yarn in it!
Girlfriends, if you want to know about what sweater it is that men want, well, here it is: a simple white stockinette sweater with a crew neck and a little ribbing at the waist and cuffs. No complex patterning or shaping. No dynamic coloring here. They did have the good taste to like one made out of Cormo wool (this is the Foxhill Farm booth where I had another really nice conversation with Alice my favorite Cormo shepherd). Now y'all know why John has more pairs of handknit socks than he does sweaters!
It's been my experience that spinning wheels, lovely simple machines that they are, have a high level of interest for guys. When Julie and I were at Maryland anytime we sat down in front of a wheel, it drew a crowd. And that crowd usually contained lots of men. I think the wheels here are a Louet (right) and a Kromski (left) but I'm not too sure about the Kromski identification. Perhaps Dad is already shopping for his second wheel?
Your guess is as good as mine on why they took this picture. I'm betting that it was not an interest in plush sheep toys. In the back, unreadable at this resolution, is a sign that indicates that they are looking at orifice hooks and some other spinning tools. I'd never thought about asking my dad to turn an orifice hook for me. Hmmm....
They're guys! You knew there'd be at least one tractor picture somewhere from a farm related event. Before getting the John Deere, my dad actually had a 1939 Ford tractor. Ran like a champ and was pretty fun to drive. But the Deere (or "JD" as he is known around my parents house) comes with a wonderful little backhoe attachment... the old Ford could never compete with something that could dig holes!
It shows you how long mom and I lingered in the barns that dad found the time to catch a bit of a nap. Truly, if fiber festivals wanted to attract more men, they would have lots of hammocks stretched out under lots of shady trees. And beer. John promises me that men would flock to fiber festivals if good microbrewed beer was involved.
And after that picture, the guys ran out of film. An apropos ending for the day, I think.
I also promised to show you what I got. All things considered, this was a pretty mellow trip for me. Everything I got could fit in one basket:
The Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock (medium weight) really needs no introduction. I had to take Mom and Dad past Toni Neil's booth for the Fold so that I could introduce Dad to the person who really helped to get his wheel rolling again. Then I offered both of them the opportunity to have another pair of handknit socks and asked them each to pick out a skein of STR that made them happy. Dad chose "Rocky Horror" a chocolate, brown, orange and gold mix and Mom picked "Peacock" which has the rich purples and teals that are evokative of the birds the colorway is named for. The small drop spindle pendant also came from Toni's booth. It was just too adorable for me to leave behind.
The rusty colored skein in the back is a DK weight sock yarn made of 70% Cormo and 30% nylon from Foxhill Farm. Treat socks for me, I think, for the deepest part of winter when it seems like I can never get my feet to feel warm. I also talked to Alice about dyeing some of her Cormo/Tussah blend for me since when I got to the booth, all that remained in this blend was some very bright yellow and a screaming pink. I'm hoping to get 4 ounces of a light denim blue and 4 ounces of a darker blue (which I will spin individually and then ply together) for a lace weight yarn project.
The Mielke's Farm booth was just jam packed full of interesting little tools. I picked up a yarn/singles gauge that has lines drawn on clear plastic that can help you gauge the WPI of the yarn you are spinning. It's a nice thing to keep handy while you are spinning so that you can see whether you are spinning to the dimensions you want to spin to. This is really just a fancier version of an idea Joan of Twosheep talked about in March. (If you click here and scroll down to "spinner's control card" you can get a better picture). I also got a McMorran yarn balance for helping me estimate yardage in a skein when I spin. It's hiding in its box. It will get more blog time when I use it very soon.
The last purchase was a fibery one: 4 ounces of a fine wool, angora and silk blend dyed and blended by Jane Purcell of Ann Arbor, MI. It's very soft, and even though it is multicolored, it is multicolored in a vertical rather than horizontal direction, so it might be bright when it's spun up, but it won't be stripey! I test drafted a bit and the fiber looked good, so I'm looking forward to getting this on my wheel sometime in the future.
One of the highlights of the festival was meeting Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood who hosts the Craftsanity podcast. Jennifer does great interviews with all sorts of crafty people -- everyone from quilters to knitters to plush toy makers and a whole bunch more people. Her shows are usually around an hour long, so you get a real great feel for what her interviewees are like -- I find them perfect for when I want to spend the afternoon spinning up a storm. If you like podcasts and haven't sampled hers yet, I definitely give it both thumbs up.
Now I have another little contest for you all -- sort of a reward for making it through all those pictures. Mixed within the 20 pictures that I claimed the guys took, is one that I took. Can you figure out which one it is? You can ignore the rooster from the first post on Wednesday and the stash enhancement picture in this one. Those were both mine.
I'll put the names of everyone who gives me a correct answer into a little drawing and the winner will get a copy of my "Here There Be Dragons" sock pattern. If you win and you already have it, I will let you give me the name of someone else who you think should have it or you can have a free copy of any future pattern that I make (yep, I've got one that's going to get started soon, and another good idea banging around in my brain).
To enter, leave me a comment to this post, indicating the picture you think is the fake guy shot... you can tell me the day and the number of the picture (numbered from the top down in the post) or give me the caption that I put on the picture. I'll leave the contest up until next Friday, midnight and announce the winner on September 5th (the Tuesday after Labor Day).
i think it's #16 - the sweater they really want
I'm betting on the alpaca picture.
See now? I think it's the one with all the beaded spindles. Thanks for sharing -- I'll have to get up there next year.
A contest, fun. I'm guessing it the "simple machines" picture. Spinning wheels just aren't greasy enough for guys.
"Manly Discussion"
Yes? ;)
My guess is the sweater guys want. I bet you took the picture so you can make a similar one.
I think it is the scenic rock pile.. hmmmmmm?
I'm going with the one titled Beautiful Sheepy face!
My guess is the Boring White Stockinette Sweater ("the sweater they really want)!
Definitely the photo of the fairy!!
I'm going with the napping picture. I'm guessing you came back from shopping and found them that way, and stole the camera to capture the moment.
I'm going to go with "Spinning Tools". I'm betting that there is something in that picture that inspired you or that you want to get at a later date.
My guess is today's What Men Really Want of your Dad napping since I bet John was also napping so you had to snap the pic.
I would definitely say the sweater picture. Would a man really choose such a light colored sweater? Mine sure wouldn't!
I'm going to guess the last picture, the one of your Dad napping. Don't know many guys who take pictures of other guys while they're asleep...
You took the last one - of your dad sleeping. What men really want at a fiber festival.
I'm going with the What Men Really Want napping shot as well. I think Mary called the moment!
I'm for the napping one too. Looks like you snuck up on him when you were finished.
I'm going with the "Simple Machines" photo, although "What Men Really Want" was a close second.
I'd guess it's the photo of the nap- "What Men Really Want at a Fiber Festival" As to your simple machines photo, that Kromski looks like a Prelude. In walnut stain.
Second day, the black alpacas picture.
My guess is the Angora Goat picture.
I'm going to guess the black alpacas picture. So cute!
I'll have to place my chips on the Angora Goat photo, the one who looks smart-alecky and is comtemplating snacking on a camera.
It was really interesting to see the "Guy's Eye View" of the fiber festival - thanks for handing out the camera and sharing the results.
(And your new spinning fiber looks sumptuous - can't wait to see how it turns out!)
My guess: the angora goat on day 2.
Most of us guys, when we're looking at spinning wheels, we're thinking about how we would make one ourselves, y'know, if we had the time...
My vote goes to the "caught napping" photo. Most guys I know would not appreciate the indignity of being caught napping. Most guys also would not subject a fellow guy to this indignity either so I'm guessing there was a pair of X chromosomes involved in that photo op.
I think it's the cute Alpaca picture from yesterday (day 2).
I enjoyed all the pictures and of course your commentary. Thank you for hosting the contest.
I think it's 8/24/2006, picture #7, What Men Really Want at a Fiber Festival; Dad napping.
My guess is The Sweater They Really Want...but it is really just a GUESS! :) Looks like a fun trip!
the horse one, cuz girls love horses
No need to enter - but - I want to vote for Mr. Ed, erm... the horse shot! You took that one...
I love love love your captions! especially *four wheels good* & *rusty scenery* ROFLOL ;p
the rock pile
I vote the Alpaca picture.
I guess the spinning tools picture. If they're really not into the fuzzy little sheep, then I'm not sure what would have made them snap that one...
I think it's the "Black Alpacas" picture (number 7 on day 2/August 24.) Why? Most of the text references who took the picture, and that one doesn't.
But I could be wrong.
I also think it is the picture of the sweater that men really want. I don't think men notice clothes enough to even look at them, let alone take a picture and tell his wife that is what he wants. I bet you took that picture :-)
Man's Eye View of the Michigan Fiber Festival, Part 2, picture 3.
I love that sock pattern, and need to remind myself to actually buy it (maybe next paycheck).
I think it was the Black Alpacas pic.
I think it was the napping picture.
I go with: What Men Really Want at a Fiber Festival.
My thought was "What men really want at a fiber festival" because guys don't admit to napping or snap pictures but their daughters do. However, I think your commentary about microbrews and hammocks is astute.
My guess is the fairy picture.
My guess is "What men really want."
Happy anniversary for a few days ago - sounds like you are very happy together!
You were very restrained at the festival. Much more than I would've been!
I'm guessing it's the picture of the tractors. Such a typical "macho" shot you must have taken it to throw us all off!
i'm guessing it's the sweater they really want. love the fairy lady, she definitely beats to a different drum ;-)
I figure it is the napping shot, although I am leaning toward the "Impressive Rack" picture too. Not sure but it looks like you had a blast. Fun that you had your family with you and they all got to see what fibre festivals are all about!! :)
I would also guess the napping picture! How could you pass that one up?! :)
I think it's the picture "What guys really want". Because when you came out from shopping and saw your Dad napping you went "Aww...." and took his pic. I can't imagine John going "Oh look, my father-in-law is so cute when he's sleeping..." Yeah right!
My guess is the napping picture. I think you came upon them and grabbed the camera.
Dad Napping is totally the fake shot. You busted him and got proof.
Fiber Fairy......
I suspect it's the one of your dad catching a nap :-)
this was a really cute post.. what guys want at a fiber fest :-) (although I totally agree about the microbrew section... it ought to be part of it!@ - I'd certainly have a brew at the end of a long hot day.
I vote for "What Men Really Want at a Fiber Festival."
"The Sweater They Really Want".
I bet it's the fairy picture (24 August, photo #1).
I'm going with the angora goat.
I guess its 'what men really want at a fibre festival'
My guess is 8/24, picture #5 "Spinning Tools". A picture of turned spinning tools might be a good jumping-off point for your Dad like you suggested, but not sparkly and plush. Thanks for all the great pictures, whoever took them!
I think the fairy picture. BTW, are those ALL Longaberger baskets in the background of the first picture??? Love your site. Come visit me.
My guess: What Men Really Want at a Fiber Festival from the last day. : ) loved the different perspective.
Tech demo! All the way baby!
Spinning tools.
Great photos! My guess is the photo called "the sweater they really want" in part 3. If it were my husband that would be the last thing on his mind...
Thanks!
I'm going with "the sweater they really want" as well
thanks for sharing!
I'm guessing "the sweater they really want". You realized they had taken mostly animal and machine pictures and wanted some actual knitting to balance things out!
"What men really want," don't know why, but it's worth a try!
I have to guess Four Wheels Good...just to be different :)
The Sweater They Really Want?
Put me down for the Black Alpacas pic. I'm blown away by the beautiful yarn you're spinning.
I'm going to guess "Manly Discussion" from Day 1, because dudes just don't usually take pictures of other dudes. (Even if there *is* a machine and a gas can in the shot.)
My guess is "What Men Really Want at a Fiber Festival - the photo of your Dad napping.
I'd have to go with "What Men Really Want at a Fiber Festival".
Lovely photos! Thanks so much for sharing them.
I'm going to go with Spinning Tools. Looks far too much like bling for my guy to take a picture of it. Unless they were going for a variety of subject matter....
I think it's the one of your dad napping. (-: