NH Sheep and Wool Festival

I went to the 37th Annual NH Sheep and Wool Festival last weekend. It is held each year at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield, NH over Mother's Day weekend. It is sponsored by the NH Sheep and Wool Growers Association and the NE Alpaca Growers and Breeders Association. Of course I forgot my camera or I would be sharing pictures now of the most adorable sheep, rabbits and alpaca you have ever seen! Although I didn't take any pictures, I did do a lot of shopping while I was there. Every yarn is hand spun /hand dyed.

 Creme and aqua blue mix. Merrilyn's Fiber Products- Fitzwilliam NH
I bought 120 yards so I may make a cowl instead of a doll.

River Valley Farm Wools and Wovens
Pittsfield, MA

Wooly Beers Yarns, Newmarket NH

Angoraonline.com
Handspun, hand dyed, mohair angora yarn

Dillner Hillside Farm, Montgomery, VT

Acker's Acres Angora

Joel S Perkins and Son
Textile Mill Suppliers Since 1880
South Strafford, VT

This is the second year I have gone to this festival- but now that I have discovered it I plan on going every year! I just love it! Last year I saw the man that was selling the bobbins but I didn't buy any. I kicked myself all year for that dumb decision so I was thrilled when I found him there again this year. At first I thought I'd try converting the bobbins into dolls but I almost hate to mess with them. I really like the look as is. He has made lamps and of course candle sticks out of lots of them. I need to think about it for a while. The holes on the sides actually go all the way through so could easily be treaded with ribbons...

I couldn't resist the shoe last. I have shoe-makers in my family tree. Rochester and Nashua NH were once very important manufacturing cities in the shoe industry.