Final Saturday I ventured out to the spring FiberFest on the Frederick Fairgrounds. I wouldn’t contemplate myself a knitter, however I’ve been fascinated by including it to my toolbox of mindfulness practices. Mindfulness by way of yarn! Moreover, it was a fantastic spring day, I knew that my favourite meals vehicles have been going to be there, and the commercial within the newspaper was simply too cute to disregard.
This was my first fiber pageant. I’m utterly new to the pure fiber world and my recent, harmless eyes have been captivated by the colours and textures. It was that very same feeling that I get strolling right into a backyard heart stuffed with stunning flowers firstly of the season. I actually and deeply needed to purchase yarn and make one thing. A shawl, a hat, a sock. Something!
Artisan yarn and Indie yarn dyers are new ideas to me. Many unbiased dyers are one-person companies and most don’t have a bodily retailer however promote merchandise on-line and thru festivals like this one.
The FiberFest, sponsored by the Frederick Information-Submit, began in 2016 within the newspaper constructing. Information-Submit worker Daybreak Dayhoff conceived of the thought and organizes the occasion. As a knitter and crocheter, she had attended different fiber occasions the place there was a ready checklist for distributors to get in. She mentioned “I believed that we had sufficient native distributors and curiosity locally to have the ability to have a profitable occasion.” Dayhoff was proper. “We offered out of vendor areas and had a line of attendees ready to get in when the occasion began.” They rapidly outgrew the newspaper constructing and moved to the Frederick Fairgrounds in 2018.
Saturday’s FiberFest included over 50 distributors that produce and/or promote pure fibers from sheep, alpaca, goat, cotton, and so on; hand-dyed yarn, spindles, patterns, sew markers, and extra.
When it got here to sew markers, I used to be drawn to them (they’re sparkly!) however I had no concept how they labored. I admitted my ignorance and requested the seller at Amy’s Trinket Store how they work. She was very affected person with me and even helped me put collectively a customized mixture. I wouldn’t blame her if she had a very good snicker once I was gone.
For these of us that don’t know (but) what to do with a skein of yarn, there have been loads of different handmade treasures: goat milk cleaning soap, pottery, paintings, tea, purses, jewellery. As I kind by way of these pictures, it’s with a lot remorse that I see a hedgehog pincushion that might have been mine. Subsequent time!
In previous years, FiberFest has included lessons and demonstrations. Dayhoff mentioned that they need to carry these again for the Fall FiberFest. They’re additionally hoping so as to add some cloth and cross-stitch distributors.
There have been meals vehicles outdoors and a Children Zone with petting zoo, face portray, and a bounce home to maintain the entire household glad for a enjoyable day on the Fairgrounds.
By the point I left, I used to be utilizing phrases like “DK” and “Roving”. Okay, I did lots of Googling on the fly, however I’m studying.
My mom is a knitter, crocheter, seamstress, and throughout artful particular person. She first taught me tips on how to crochet once I was only a child. Nonetheless, my knitting and crocheting abilities peaked at about age 16, coinciding with getting my fingers on a driver’s license and automobile keys. Mother—in case you are studying this, I believe I’m prepared for an additional lesson.
The FiberFest returns to the Frederick Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Till then, listed here are just some of the native distributors that may maintain you stocked in fiber and provides:
The Knot Home sells a wide range of luxurious hand-dyed yarns and promotes Indie Dyers
129 E. Patrick Avenue
Magpie Fibers has a yarn dying facility in Frederick on Business Lane (not open to the general public). They now have two retail areas downtown. Their authentic Magpie Market at 141 N. Market Avenue and the attractive new Magpie Fibers at 154 N. Market Avenue. Along with promoting their very own hand-dyed yarn, craft provides and stationary, additionally they provide knitting and crocheting lessons.
On-line Shops and Artisans:
Amy’s Trinket Store – Baltimore, MD
AT Haynes Home Yarns – Fort Washington, MD
Blue Heron Yarns – Easton, MD
ColorWae Fiber Arts – New Market, MD
Create Yarnworks – Hebron, MD
Rising Tide Fiber Co. – Chesapeake, MD
Stick It To Me Pincushions – Ellicott Metropolis, MD
Tempting Ewe Yarns – Catonsville, MD
Terrapin Fiberworks – Greenbelt, MD
Yarn Hero Fiber Arts – Frederick, MD
