Teresa Daignault’s grandfather was a master weaver.
“He passed when I was young, but I still have the memory of standing in his weaving room as a child and being mesmerized by what he was doing. I never asked him any questions about weaving, but I wish I had,” she said about going on to keep Grandpa Charlie’s passion alive in the family.
Daignault, owner of Ashford Heights Farm in Adams, is one of many vendors setting up shop at this weekend’s Fiber Festival of New England in the Mallary Complex on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
The event, co-produced by ESE and the New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association, promotes the use of wool, natural fibers, and other related products to the general public including raw goods, yarns, equipment and finished items for sale.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5.
Admission is $7 general and free for children 12 and under.
“Many of our vendors are farmers with sheep, alpacas, rabbits and llamas. People attending the show get to see not only some of these animals up close, but the products created from their fibers,” said Paige Stawasz, competitive events coordinator for the Eastern States Exposition, about the educational experience which aligns with their long history of promoting agriculture.
Once again, the event will see the return of its popular fleece sale – the purest form of raw fiber prior to making it into your own yarn or felting project – on both days, as well as sheep shearing demonstrations and informative workshops throughout the weekend.
Billed each year as “just in time for the holidays,” the Fiber Festival provides an opportunity to get an early start on your shopping by purchasing unique handmade items for friends and family. More than 200 booths will be showcasing a variety of items including clothing, quilts, scarves, blankets, rugs as well as roving, looms, spinning wheels, starter kits for younger crafters, handcrafted buttons and more.
Daignault will be selling raw fleece, yarns, roving, and pelts at her booth, as well as handwoven items such as blankets, pillows, gloves and mug rugs.
Today, the Daignaults raise Leicester Longwood and Gotland sheep that produce what she refers to as their “salt and pepper” wools, which reflect the natural colors of their sheep – white for salt and grey, black and brown found in pepper.
“We were once a horse family and rode recreationally with our four children, who eventually lost interest as they grew into adulthood. So, we found good homes for the horses. I began spinning and we missed having farm animals, so we invested in five sheep and four angora goats. We now have anywhere from 68 to 110 sheep on the farm depending on the season, but no more angora goats since they were bullying the sheep,” Daignault said.
“The Fiber Festival is such an essential event for fiber farmers like me. It gives us the opportunity to not only sell our wool products, but also to introduce and educate others about the animals that we raise. We are very passionate about our sheep and the work that we do with them to help grow their numbers here in the United States,” she added.
Leicester Longwool sheep are part of the Livestock Conservancy and are on their list with the designation of “threatened” in the United States as well in their native United Kingdom. Gotland sheep are found quite readily in Sweden and surrounding Scandinavian countries, but have relatively small numbers in the United States.
Among the many skill-building workshops planned throughout the two days will be Begin To Spin, Beginners Oxford Punch Needle, Corded Wool Stool, Crocheted Groovy Granny Squares, Felted Mittens, Felted Soap, Folk Art Hooked Rugs, Intro to the Wonderful World of Crochet, Miniature Punch Needle, NAL Binding for Newbies, Needle Felted Goldfinch, Needle Felted Knitting Gnome, Needle Felted Stained Glass, Plying with Intention, Simpler Sisu Sock Heel Technique, Produce Basket, Snowman Wool Painting, Visible Mending with the Darning Loom, Weaving on Rigid Heddle Looms, and Wet Felted Flowers.
Visit the event website for prices, ranging from $25 to $80, and times of workshops.
Other shopping opportunities while at Fiber Festival include the Exposition’s farmers market and wine barn, as well as Storrowton Village and its shops. Visitors can also take a free scenic ride aboard the Roaming Railroad to and from the farmers market and Storrowton Village.
Also, on Saturday while at the Fiber Festival, visitors can attend a new blacksmith event and “History on the Go” tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Storrowton Village.
