2016 NH Sheep and Wool Festival

This year's festival was again held at Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NH. Saturday the weather was warm and wonderful, Sunday it was cloudy, chilly, and breezy. I always think of this festival as one for spinners and knitters. There are many wonderful raw fleeces and rovings to choose from and tools aplenty to work the wool.

I did a one hour lecture / workshop each day. Initially I was asked to do a lecture on spinning primitive breed sheep's wool. In planning it, it was immediately apparent to me that this was not only about the history of these sheep, but about the colors, textures and charcteristics of each breed's fleece. I morphed it into a hands-on experience so that those who attended had an opportunity to feel and spin some of these beautiful fibers.

It was well attended and received with enthusiasm. I requested more time for the workshop if I do it next year. People had wonderful and thoughtful questions. When speaking to an experienced, knowledgeable, and enthusiatic group it quickly became a conversation / discussion rather than a lecture. I hope the participants enjoyed it as much as I did.

NH Sheep and Wool Festival

I will be conducting an interactive workshop, at the festival, on spinning primitive breed sheep's wool. We will explore the characteristics of these breeds' wools and what tools are appropriate to get the best results. Participants will have the opportunity to try different fleeces and types of spindles. Workshops will be held on Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 1:00.

Spinning with a Medieval Tool

On a recent trip to France, I picked up a soapstone whorl in a fossil shop. I have purchased fossils  from this dealer many times in the past and have found him knowledgeable and trustworthy. My husband spotted some whorls in a display case and low and behold, they were labeled accurately, not as beads. 

This one meets all the requirements for what it is supposed to be; soapstone, decorated with a carved band parallel to the edge, plano-convex, hole is beveled, the rim has a small groove so that it can be used as a top or bottom whorl. It measures18mm high, 30 mm in diameter, and with an 8mm diameter  hole. It fits nicely on several of my spindle sticks. Originally it would have been secured with some linen thread and beeswax, I'm using a small, clear hair elastic. It could be pushed on the stick hard enough to keep it from slipping, but that would probably scratch the spindle stick. 

I have been spinning Shetland on it. It is very well balanced and given its small size and relatively heavy weight (26 gms), it spins fast and for a long time. It is such a pleasure to use something that was used by another woman almost a thousand years ago and for the same purpose.