There will be a lot of “fleecing” going on this weekend on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.
But it is the good kind.
As part of the annual Fiber Festival of New England on Nov. 2 and 3 – hosted by the Eastern States Exposition and the New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association – there will be a fleece sale. Fleece is the coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal such as a sheep, rabbits, alpaca, llama and goat.
“Those of us who want the total experience begin with the fleece when making a sweater, rug, gloves, scarf, blanket or so many other items. But turning fleece into wool isn’t for the faint of heart. There are so many steps to processing raw fleece, among them cleaning, washing, spinning, dying, and roving as a few examples,” said Donna Woolam, president of the New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association.
But the show – to be held on Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – offers much more than just the opportunity to buy fleece. Attendees will have access to countless thread counts and a vast array of high-quality and cozy items for purchase, as well as watching sheep shearing demonstrations, and the opportunity to see some wool-bearing animals up-close.
“The show has grown in popularity over the years as many of the fiber arts, such as knitting and crocheting, are becoming more popular than ever as crafters seek to create wonderful things with natural fibers,” Woolam said, noting some 5,000 women, men and children attended last year’s event.
“There is nothing like our fiber show in the New England area unless you want to travel to Rhinebeck, New York. This is a fun and educational show focusing on the world of wool and other fiber products and the opportunity to talk with the many growers and producers from vendors all over New England and the Northeast and as far away as Maryland and Ohio,” Woolam said.
“If you want to knit a sweater for the winter, here at the show you can decide what fiber animal to make it from, and you have the ability to pick from hundreds of fibers of all colors, types, and weights, as well as to purchase a unique pattern by designers. Not to mention everything else you need to help you get the job done such as special needles and more,” she added.
Nearly 20 workshops will be held throughout the weekend to allow attendees to try their hand at felting, spinning, punch needling, crocheting and rug hooking. Among the many workshops include Begin To Spin, Beginning Tunisian Crochet, Circular Loom Weaving with the Heart in Hand Loom, Felted Soap, Corded Wool Stool, Folk Art Rug Hooking, Knitting with Sheep Locks, and Make a Beaded Cuff Bracelet. For a full list, times, pricing, and to sign up for one or more of the lessons, visit EasternStatesExposition.com
Other shopping opportunities while at Fiber Festival include the Eastern States Farmers Market and Wine Barn and 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 Nov. 2 while at the Fiber Festival, visitors can attend a blacksmith event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Storrowton Village, where the annual Blacksmithing Day includes live demonstrations by more than 10 smiths.
Fiber Festival admission is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and under with tickets available in advance online.
And, no, Donna’s last name isn’t made up, it truly has “wool” as part of it.