Maryland Sheep and Wool 2
I am just tickled pink that I was able to attend the Maryland Sheep & Wool Show again this year. I don't think it was my imagination When I say that it didn't seem as crowded this year. I am not sure whether it was the overcast sky, cooler tempertures or the impending threat of rain that did it, but who cares; less competition for me to worry about.

I went on the Knitting Guild's bus with about 31 women. We left at the crack of chickens yesterday and got back long after a respectable bed time. Hubby was waiting with the van when the bus arrived at the Mall parking lot. It was raining and I was thrilled to be home. My bus buddy Susan and I were pooped. I think we started talking before the bus ever pulled out of the parking and stopped talking when we hugged goodbye and went home.

As much as I love to shop, it was exhausting! My credit card is cooling off on the desk beside me and has told me it won't even think about recovering until the next billing cycle rolls around. Compared to Susan J, I was conservative in my spending. She was a MS and
W "virgin" but I had one year under my belt to decide what I wanted to buy and where to go. I felt priviledged to get a copy of the offical copy of theMaryland Sheep and Wool Festival book from shop owner Susan S to take home with me. I went through all the vendor ads in the book to see who I wanted to visit. I also printed off the vendor list from the internet and then promptly left it sitting right here with all the highlighted vendors on it. I made notes and more notes. Good thing I remember many of them off the top of my head. My mission this year was way different than last year.

This caught my eye at the end of the day after I had already bought some different yarn someplace else. This is On Live. The colorwary is called Beach. It's German and is a superwash. I can't read German but I did pick a key word on the label-Machine. This means to me, that what ever I make from this, can be washed in the washing machine. Yeehaw for machine washing! Next...This sock yarn was purchased from Tess Designer Yarns. I had never been to their booth before, but let me tell you! It was a color Mecca. All the yarns were grouped according to their colors. It was a feast for the eyes, and packed to the gills with crazed women. They had two or three tents connected together outside and it was still too small. When I see a line someplace, I know they have something good. I really regret not taking a picture of their booth; too many people in their to get off a good shot. Take my word for it; it was fabulous. This yarn is Super Socks and Baby. Again, it's a machine washable yarn. It's 80% wool, and 20% Nylon. There is about 450 yards in each of the two skeins that I bought. While I don't usually wear a lot of yellow socks, I just love the softness. The color is like a butter yellow. I have no idea what I will make from this, but who cares!
These three skeins were in a plastic bag together. I just couldn't seperate them so I bought all three. I have a project in mind for these but no pattern as of yet. This was also purchased from Tess Designer Yarns. It's a superwash 100% Merino lace wool. I am not a huge fan of pink but they were so pretty I just couldn't resist. Are we starting to see a pattern here... Again, I was on the lookout for lace yarns and I purchased this from Spirit Trail Fiberworks. It is 110% Merino lace. It has 500 yards. This is also from Spirit Trail Fiberworks. Again it's lace weight and has no purpose intended other I just loved the colors.

I really had a good time this year and hopefully with a new job next year, I will be able to attend again. Every year I think a become a better consumer. With all the talking with Susan J and the constant shopping, I can't believe that I only got one picture of Cashmere goats at the show. They are cuties, but I will have to do better next year.