Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market, 2025

In February 2025, soon after the schedule came out, I signed up for two classes for this year's Estes Park Wool Market.

Thursday was Blending Board Primer - this is my fourth class with Clemes and Clemes and was focused on making rolags.

Friday was Spin Goldilocks with Maggie Casey.  This class was focused on medium wools, which are some of my favorite.  I also want to soak up as much of Maggie Casey's knowledge as I can while she's still teaching.  :-)

So ultimately the weekend was focused on Woolen style prep and spinning techniques.

I got the long-draw working a little bit.  Spinning from the rolag felt weird at first, but I think I have a much better understanding between the Worsted and Woolen techniques now.

I also found it nice that we were in the Government and Spanish Language Classrooms of the High School.

I had a schedule conflict for the remainder of the weekend, so I spent some time at the Friday open market for students... I was kind of looking for a yarn suitable for a project I am pondering.  I didn't find anything that grabbed me.  Which is unusual.

I guess, the more I have the skills to make what I want, the less I'm interested in purchasing it.  But in this case, I'm not quite sure what I want yet, other than fine gauge and a moody color.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market, 2024

As I have done the last couple of years, I took classes at the Estes Park Wool Market this year.... in early June.

The first was called "How do I spin Thee..?" with Maggie Casey...

I brought my wheel.  She gave us dyed rovings.  We explored ways to showcase the color differently.

  

The second class was my third in the Drum Carding Series by Clemes and Clemes, "Carding for Color."

We began with the three primary colors.... cyan, yellow, and magenta.

Each student was given a formula to create a gradient of opposite colors on the color wheel.

We each then created our gradient batt and shared our opposite colors with the other students to create a fibery color wheel.

As far as my annual shopping experience, I wasn't looking for much this year... and since we were getting ready for a road trip and another big event, I did not go back to the Market over the weekend.

As the market preview, I did find a few yarns and a bag I liked.

They also gave us a great canvas bag as part of the class registration fee.

Next year, I hope to be able to spend more time at the market.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market, 2023

Last weekend was the Estes Park Wool Market.

For 2023 I took only the Adventures in Drum Carding Class, which is the next level after the Exploring the Drum Carder class I took last year.

I did do a thing that is abnormal for me... I turned my phone to silent, put it in my bag, and didn't look at it until the end of the day.  Which also means that this is the only picture I took...

We made five batts, mostly focused on blending techniques.  Three of them are in their storage sleeves, and I don't want to remove them, since getting them back in would be difficult... So you'll just have to wait to see them until I decide to spin them...  ;-)

We also made pencil roving and a batch of rolags.

Shopping:

As a student, I was granted access to the Market Preview on Friday evening.  I was looking for Sock Blockers, Stitch Markers, and a yarn complimentary to an in-work project.

I also found a steel-purple yarn (they call it periwinkle) and a Yak/Silk roving in a beautiful metal-like colorway.

I do enjoy the surprises that come up at this Market.  :-)

FACE of Fiber in the Rockies:

The Arts Center of Estes Park was also hosting their annual FACE of Fiber in the Rockies show.  So we stopped by to see the opening.  Spoke with a couple of the artists and enjoyed the display.

I did not take photos... again.

Sometimes it's just better to enjoy the experience, and not interrupt it with technology.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market 2022, part 3

So with my homework having been (re)completed in March, I double-checked my supplies and tools for each class and spent a long weekend at the Estes Park Wool Market in June.

This was my first time taking a class at a Wool Festival... and I took two. :-)

I have attended talks and watched demonstrations before.... but it was really quite special to be able to focus two days on improving skills and knowledge.

Our new place is a little further away, but still extremely convenient for day trips to Estes Park.

Exploring the Drum Carder

My first class was Exploring the Drum Carder with Henry and Roy Clemes.

Prior to this class, I had only seen short demonstrations of carding in my initial Learning to Spin class.

I do have a second-hand half-sized carder that I have been using for several (11!) years, but now with this full-day class, I think my output will be much nicer to work with.

I'm looking forward to taking the next class in their series.

I also picked up a couple of tools that will help me use my old carder better.

Finishing with Excellence

This class was everything I was expecting.

Like the Carding Class, I have finished projects, but now I know a few more techniques to make those joins and weave-ins even more invisible.

We also spent some time talking about blocking techniques.

I truly enjoyed taking Paula's class.

Shopping

In addition to the tools listed above, I did buy some yarn and roving.

So while I have said that I generally don't like crazy dyed yarns, when I do buy yarn, it is often dyed.

I like that the colors at Estes were more muted than other markets I've been to in recent years (Yarn Fest, Stitches).  I especially loved the work of the Apothefaery.  Her work is very earthy.

I actually bought quite a bit of yarn this trip.... mostly because I wanted to pair against some out-of-character crazy yarn that I bought at Stitches West in 2019...

Aside from the last few SE2SE breeds (which I did not find) and the yarn to pair with the crazy above, I wasn't really looking for much.  However, I am always looking to add interesting or unusual fibers to my stash.... and per usual, Estes Park did not disappoint.... Valais Blacknose roving!

This ranch near me has possibly the first Purebred Valais Blacknose born (via embryo transfer) in the US.  This is quite exciting.

Valais Blacknose is a carpet wool, and should go nicely with some of the other stuff in my stash.  As I was leaving the shopkeeper asked what I would be making.... and I just said, "yarn."  :-)  I really don't know what it will become beyond yarn, but I am very excited to try it.

The second bag is Scottish Blackface, which is also a new breed for me.

Demonstration

Unplanned was a spinning demonstration.  Henry Clemes ask if I would be willing to spin on one of their wheels during the market over the weekend... to which I replied, "Absolutely!"

I spent about an hour on Saturday afternoon showing people how yarn works.  Really fun!!

Animals

I stopped by the Sheep and Goat Barn... One of these years I'll actually make it to the Cashmere Goat Show.  

Cashmere Goat Show Results

I spent a few minutes speaking with a Shetland Sheep Farmer who was getting ready to show.

I snapped only a couple of photos... none of which are composed well.  

Valais Blacknose

Jacob Ram

"Cashmere" Goats

There is so much more to see, such as Herding and Shearing Demonstrations, Sheep-to-Shawl Competition, Llamas, Alpacas, Paco-Vicunas, Rabbits, Food, equipment demonstrations, and talks.

I love that we are close to this excellent show and always look forward to focusing a little differently each time.  I especially love that this show is more geared toward spinners and not just knitters and crocheters.

Yes, I wore a mask the entire weekend... and will continue to do so.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market 2022, part 2

Whelp, in comparing the homework list for the 2022 version of Finishing with Excellence against the homework I completed for the 2020 version that was cancelled due to Covid... I have 8 swatches to make.

The large swatches are 5 stitches fewer and 1 inch shorter.

It took a few days to find the yarn, since it was still packed from our move.  Then it took about 2 weeks to make the new swatches, 

about an hour to wash, and a couple of days to dry.

I thought I might re-block the stockinette swatches due to the remaining curling at the top and bottom, but I compared them with the existing swatches.

I think they are all good-enough for the purpose.  Therefore my homework is (again) complete for the Finishing with Excellence class at the Estes Park Wool Market in June.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market 2022, part 1 (aka 2020, part 5)

I received emails last week asking if I wanted to continue to hold my place in the Estes Park Wool Market classes I registered for in 2020, before things were cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

My answer has continued to be yes... and this morning, they opened registration for the class schedule in June.

I briefly went thru the class descriptions which appear to be unchanged from 2020, but I need to confirm that the prep work I did two years ago is still appropriate.

I know that counties and states have begun to relax their masking recommendations..... including my own state and county, in which Estes Park is located.  So while I am excited, I am trying to temper it.... and regardless, I will continue to wear masks and keep my distance.

Stay safe everyone and Happy Fiber Arts Friday!!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market 2020, part 4

The Estes Park Wool Market is cancelled this year.  :-(

I got the notification early last week, but the organizers have confirmed with the instructors, so all of the instructors and classes will be available next year.  :-)

So the good news is that I will be able to take Exploring the Drum Carder and Finishing with Excellence, and my homework is already complete.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market, 2019

I haven't been to the Estes Park Wool Market in a few years (2015, 2016, 2017 or 2018).  But after going to Stitches West earlier this year, I wanted to make sure that both Hubba and I went this year.

It was an easy sell.  He happened to meet Henry Clemes of Clemes & Clemes earlier this year, so Hubba definitely wanted to catch up with his new friend.  :-)

I'm so glad we made it.

First of all, the weather was gorgeous!

Second, the market venue is much improved since the last time I was there.  So much that we didn't make it to any of the barns or other activities.

Since it's been a long time goal of mine to have a booth at this venue, not only did we shop, but we talked about the different booths and what we liked and didn't like about how merchandise was presented.

We got a few new ideas, and I think we are on the same page about what presents well.  Now to source the equipment and get a few more batches to the mill.  :-)

As far as shopping goes.  I like this market because it's more than just yarn.  There is a lot of raw fleece and roving available, along with tools, rugs, and other finished objects.

From Clemes & Clemes, I found a packing brush for my drum carder, a diz (it's amazing how hard these are to find), and a Ledbetter shuttle.  Mr. Ledbetter has retired, so his drop spindles and shuttles are now in very limited supply.  I am happy to say that I had the pleasure of meeting both Mr. and Mrs. Ledbetter several years ago, and now have two of their drop spindles and two of their boat shuttles in my tool stash.

I test drove the Clemes & Clemes Modern Wheel, and will most definitely be adding one to my stable.  It's the smoothest wheel I've ever used.

I added Karakul and CVM roving to my stash.  The CVM is an addition to my Shave 'EM to Save 'EM project.  I already had Karakul in my stash (I forgot), but I have not spun it yet and the hair sheep is so very different from the wool sheep handle.... I am quite taken with it... it will not go to waste.  :-)

Then at the very end is a small sample of both Mulberry and Tussah Silk... I've wanted to spin these adjacent to each other.  I have spun Tussah before.

Then a very small sample of Pearl Fiber.  I have not seen this before, so to my stash of unusual fibers this goes.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market, 2013

I've said before, Estes Park is one of my favorite places and I make a point to visit the wool market every year.  This year it was on June 8th and 9th.

This is when I do most of my fiber, yarn and tool shopping.

I was on the lookout for a small drop spindle.  The one and only I had is quite heavy at 3 ounces.  The new ones are lovely and quite light at 0.77 and 0.98 ounces.

I also wanted to look for black yarn, white yarn and unusual rovings.  I forgot to look for the yarn but I was not disappointed with the selection of rovings and clouds.

First was a Romney Lamb + Alpaca blend.  I don't know what it is, but I love the way sheep's wool smells. :-)

Cotton was everywhere.  Surprising because I had not seen it on prior years.  I picked up a naturally colored brown sliver,

a white sliver,

and a large amount of Ginned Cotton.

The white cotton sliver is much softer than the brown cotton which makes sense since the white cotton has been bred for a much longer.  I'm very excited about the Ginned Cotton... there are little seeds in there that has me thinking I may be able to plant and grow my own... of course I'm sure that a huge amount of work.  ;-)

There is also some de-haired Bison in cloud form that is especially soft,

and a Bison + Tussah Silk roving.

Pure silk in a lovely cinnamon color that is not as silky as one might expect.  I have only spun silk in blends, so this one will be quite an adventure.

 A lovely cloud of cashmere,

And I added to my cashmere+silk stash.  This is a 50/50 blend.  :-)

And finally, the pièce de résistance, Qiviut!  This will need to be de-haired, but even the guard hair is super soft.

If it seems like quite a haul, I would have to agree.  But I always go with a canvas bag and cash in my pocket.  I'm done when either my bag is full or my pocket is empty... as you can see the bag was full, and I can tell you that my pocket was within a few dollars of being completely empty.  ;-)

I hope that you are having a fabulous Fiber Arts Friday.  :-)