At the Fiber Festival: What to Bring to a Sheep and Wool Festivals

You’ve scouted the area, reviewed the vendor list, entered a skein in the handspun competition, looked over the schedule of events, and made plans to meet up with your fiber crew. The anticipation is building—it’s time to pack your bags! Here are the must-have items to bring with you to sheep and wool festivals—don’t leave home without them.

Illustration by Laurel Johnson.

Water and a reusable bottle

You may forget to keep hydrated with the excitement around you, and bottled water can be pricey at fairgrounds.

Snacks

Keep your strength up!

Sunscreen, sunglasses, rain slicker, and an umbrella

Weather is unpredictable and shelter can be scarce.

Smartphone

Snap photos of great things you see, share your finds, and find friends at the show.

Lunch (optional)

Many festivals have “fair food” vendors—think funnel cakes, lemonade, and cotton candy. This could be a bonus or a drawback, depending on your palate. If your nutritional needs are something besides carnival fare, plan ahead. (Also, brace yourself. There will probably be lamb and possibly goat on offer.)

Drop spindle and/or simple knitting

Watching other spinners and knitters, you will get the urge to keep your hands busy (and show off your latest project).

Enjoy the festival! Anne

Featured image:

Illustration by Laurel Johnson.

Find a list of festivals in the United States and Canada at www.spinweave.org/news-events/festivals. Find related Interweave posts on upcoming festivals: Great Lakes Fiber Show OK Fiber Fest! Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Minnesota Knitter’s Guild Yarnover Yellow Rose Fiber Producers Fiesta Ann Arbor’s Fiber Expo Welcome to the Long Island Yarn Crawl The Smokey Mountain Fiber Arts Fair The Yarn Show: Chicago YarnCon Behold the Yarn Crawl: Dos and Don’ts