Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival was a super fun time! Held at the Howard County Fairgrounds, near Frederick, Maryland, it’s a huge, free, annual festival put on by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association. It’s like a big county fair crossed with a huge yarn market crossed with a showcase of hundreds of sheep breeds.
The sheepdog trials were one of my favorite things I saw all weekend. It was so fascinating to watch these dogs work, only going on hand signals or whistles from their trainers.
There was so much gorgeous yarn to be had! I ended up buying a couple skeins of yarn for a shawl and one skein for a friend’s cowl. I wasn’t on a big shopping spree – I mostly went to hang out with friends, and check things out since it was my first time.
There were adorable baby angora goats everywhere!
Another highlight was the handmade broom vendor – Lone Oak Brooms – and his broom making machine from 1895. I bought two – I love stuff like this!
One of my goals was to find a fiber sheep breed that I could consider for the farm, as companions for our (future) goats. I found my sheep! They are called Lincoln Longwools. They come in several different colors (my favorite was this ombre sheep above) and when their wool gets long, it looks like dreadlocks! I talked to some of the breeders and apparently they are goaty in nature, and do great as goat companions. Plus I love the way they look!
I had a wonderful time hanging out with Kristin, Tasha, Hazel, and Laura. We knit, ate at a totally amazing Gastropub (duck fat fries for the win!), talked fiber and knitting, and had plenty of laughs. I will definitely make this an annual trip!
