For the past 3 years I have gone to our little local fiber festival — Fiber Train.  Apparently, it has only been going on for that long, which I had no idea about.  I thought it started the year before I went!  Anywho, I digress.

Fiber Train, every year I have gone, has been on the small side.  The first year I went, I didn’t spin, and only walked away with stitch markers.  The second year, I walked away with a fleece… which I still haven’t done anything with (oops?).  This year, however, I spent around $200, and could have easily spent more!

The festival still wasn’t very big, but it was bigger than last year.  I am hopeful as the years go on, it will continue to grow, and that we will draw more vendors.  Though, I spent the bulk of my money at Greenwood Fiberworks.  Carolyn is just a treat to talk to, she is very sweet, and a very happy person.  I wish I would have been able to sit with her longer!  You can see her in the photo below spinning on her Hansen miniSpinner!  Love her two-tone!

I purchased a total of four braids from her.  I got two Peacock, one in the camel silk (I can’t wait to spin this!) and one in 100% silk.  I’ve never spun silk before, so it should be interesting!  I also purchased two Sherwood Forest in the 50/50 merino/silk base.

That camel/silk, let me tell you… I want to make a bed of it, it is so soft and luxurious!  It’s like a cloud!  If I wasn’t trying to not spend all of the money in the world, I’d of bought many more braids of it.  It is just divine.  Let’s hope it spins up easily for me!

Also, from Carolyn’s booth, I purchased the cutest little drop spindle.  It’s by Greensleeves, and it’s called a teacup!  It’s spotted tamarind and walnut, and spins a treat.  I think this is my favorite spindle now.  I also grabbed a couple of pigtails (half-ounceish sample braids) to play around with.

I also purchased an adorable little alpaca at the festival, that’s made from real alpaca.  It’s super soft, and good for petting on.  And cute!

 

I attended the festival on Sunday morning, so not everything was quite going yet.  Peter the rainbow sheep was not present, even though I was told he would be there starting when the festival opened.  I was a big disappointed about that.  The blacksmith that always attends wasn’t quite going yet, but it was still interesting to watch him set up!  And one of the booths hadn’t been set up at all by the time I left (about 11:30), so I’m not sure what the deal was there.

All-in-all, it’s a pretty good little fest.  Especially considering that you have to drive like 6+ hours to get to any of the others in the area.  It was lovely just to loiter and talk to some of the vendors, and other folks.  Fiber people are always so nice, sweet, and helpful!