Huge thanks to Finger Lakes Fiber Fest and the Knitters Day Out

Due to a Super Duper Spam attack, I've not had access to the strandedblog. Glad to be able to thank the spinners, knitters, crocheters, felters and fiber(re) enthusiasts of all persuasions in Upstate New York, finally!

Finger Lakes Fest was a perfect weekend -- I fell in love with Zuzu -- the Pygora goat. She will always be my goat, even if I couldn't buy her and take her home. We could hear Zuzu in the barn next to her enclosure! Nice set of lungs she has. And an amazing coat.

B. talked me out of purchasing an enormous Cormo fleece -- from a lovely sheep named Tony Tiger. While I didn't get the fleece, I did get some combed top to spin from his farm. Oh yes indeed.

Hello to Sandra and Louise -- The Two Wool Crazy Ladies -- who shared their good humour and cuddly Romney fibre. Check out their yarns, rug hooking, and fibre at the Fall Fiber Frolic (PA) in Nov.

The weather was perfect and the people incredibly talented and dedicated to their woolly pursuits. The fairground was lovely -- our stall was in the cleanest shed I've ever seen! Check out the amazing natural light through the special roof!

Thank you to everyone who bought our yarns and fibers(res). See you next year!

GO KDO!

Enormous thanks to the extraordinary knitters at the Knitters Day Out this past weekend at Central PA College. The organisers do an outstanding job, the vendors are awesome -- whoever is the sales rep for Malabrigo yarns in PA is smiling -- their kettled-dyed lovelies are everywhere. The talent of the students and teachers at this event is noteable. So many interesting and beautiful projects on the needles during breaktimes! It was so much fun to look at what was being knitted; I found it hard to go back to the booth with all the knitting activity happening around me.

But of course, I was there to sell yarn and am grateful for the enthusiasm and positive response to my work. Thank you to everyone.

The biggest surprise of my 2009 USA festival tour has been the response to one of my own favourite designs -- A Coloured Sheep Shawl. Thanks heaps to everyone who has wanted the pattern and kits. Due to the overwhelming response (THANKS!) I have sent out an SOS to Oz and have arranged another shipment of wool. It will take a few weeks, but a very limited amount is coming. I still encourage those who have purchased the pattern to seek out your local sheepwool producers to buy as locally as possible. It is in the spirit of the reason for the pattern to do so. If you have questions regarding substituting yarns for the pattern, please feel free to contact me at melissa AT strandedinoz DOT com.

The new prints of A CSS pattern will be posted this week from the list of festival orders.
Onward!

This weekend, B and I head to VT for the Sheep and Wool Festival in Central VT (see link in sidebar). Keep fingers crossed for lovely autumn weather! I'm told this event is one of the best, so Google those driving directions, load up on the Dunkin Donuts coffee and head on out to VT for a weekend of wool and autumn colour.

SIOz near you?

Thank you to all the Stranded In Oz retailers -- the new shipment is heading to Near and Far, Cygnet TAS, so be sure to check with them for their latest stock of SIOz yarns, including the first new lots of soy yarn for the spring and summer season.

And a thank you to Knitters Dreams in Harrisburg, PA, a new SIOz stockist of my sock yarns.

New lots of Nepalese Yarns... are heading to VT and beyond. The lots will keep coming as I dye my way through the new So Sari (wool/recycled sari blend) and Hemp and Wool, just in time for the US autumn.

CU at the fests, Melissa