Maryland Sheep and Wool

I wasn't planning on going to Sheep and Wool this weekend. Silly me. I was in a rotten mood the last few days (not feeling well), and this was the best pick-me-up ever!! I enjoyed watching the sheep, strolling around the Howard County fairgrounds, enjoying the pit beef and a real Coke (a real treat for me). But of course the best part? The vendors!! Hundreds and hundreds of fantastic vendors of all sorts. I learned that I am totally in love with Koigu (of course), rug hooking (who would have thought??), and the people from Philosopher's Wool really ARE as nice as they seem. Here's a pictoral review. Nothing here for the rug hooking, but that's my next hobby. I think this fall I will investigate taking an intro class or something. I might not be quite artistic enough for it, but the finished products are absolutely gorgeous. Like latch hook gone adult. Anyways, on to the photos of my loot!

OMG Koigu!! I really think this is my favorite yarn of the moment. I can't wait to make some socks with it. I might even break down and do a Charlotte's Web. So pretty!


I realize one should buy lots of yarn from people who can't sell wholesale at this sort of event. But at the same time, I found some yarn that I had never seen in person before, at least not in the colorways I ended up loving. So not only did I get the Koigu, I got another sock yarn, Mountain Colors. I think these would make excellent cable-up-the-heel socks, to go with my clogs:


I have wanted to make a fair-isle Philosopher's Wool sweater for ages, but couldn't pick a colorway. I'm still not certain that this is my favorite pattern/color combo, but it does look very pretty on me. They had a model I could use. This kit will make one sturdy and warm sweater, which I could easily wear as a fall/spring jacket. Did I mention that it's fun fair-isle??


The kit laid out:


Free bag for purchasing a Philosopher's Wool kit:


One booth had really lovely hat patterns, including the following. I purchased their handspun fingering weight to make my own, which should go well with the hot pink winter coat, and be light enough to wear in the fall and spring.