100 Fiber Geek Things 3: Fiber Farmer's Market Report

[untonuggan]

Today I went to a Fiber Farmer's Market. It is my first one of these farmers-bring-their-fiber/fibre-goodness-wares-directly-to-consumers things, and I think I am glad it was a small affair (as opposed to, say, Maryland Sheep and Wool, which includes actual sheep herding demonstrations complete with sheepdog and sheep! zomg!).

There were a lot of vendors, mostly small farmers and some sort of farm cooperatives where farmers sold their wool to a central farm who then dyed/packaged/resold. It was also really good that I brought my copy of the Fleece and Fiber Companion with me so I would know, for instance, that Targhee top roving was something I wanted to investigate further. I tried to focus on undyed fibers, because dyeing = fun. However, there were a couple that were reaalllllllllllllly pretty together that my shopping companion and I agreed to go halvsies on.

The thing I noticed most was that most - if not all - of the farmer's seemed genuinely happy doing what they were doing. I can imagine being fairly overwhelmed dealing with All The Fibre Geeks and All The Shoppers, etc., but the farmers seemed happy and proud of their animals. I even got little pamphlets about some sheep breeds!

Also, my shopping companion got a fleece and hand carders. I...did not go that far, but it was very tempting. It was a very soft Romney, for any who are curious. *drools*

PS How do I not have a sheep icon yet?

Comments

[altamira16]

It was a very soft Romney, for any who are curious.

I know that you are not writing fan fiction about a former presidential candidate; but beyond that, I have no clue what you are talking about.

[untonuggan]

Hee, sorry, I forgot audience not all spinners. Romney *sheep* are a breed from Romney Marsh in southeast England. The breed has been exported since they are adapted to wet conditions. The harsher the climate the Romney sheep was raised in generally the harsher the wool and vice versa. Because it is a very old breed (think Romans at least) there is a great variance between fleeces as well. So a soft one has lots of good qualities - easy to spin, shiny, dyes well - and a soft fleece is a Good Find.

[ngakmafaery]

...nice: where was the farmer's market? I have a hard time finding any since we moved to Noo Joisey...

[untonuggan]

It was in Virginia. It's a yearly thing just for fiber, but there are others in the area. If you are looking for fiber farmer's markets/festivals let me know and I can linkspam you. Otherwise, I know naught of the "regular" kind of farmer's market in Jersey (new or otherwise *g*).