Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival 2011

Marking the end of fiber festival season in this part of the world, Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival happened this weekend, to both sun (Saturday) and pouring rain (Sunday). I went up with a friend on Saturday and spent most of the day there, looking at the critters, breathing in the fibery goodness, and taking time in the afternoon to sit and knit with friends.

This young lady had a beautiful angora goat (the kind that give mohair) for sale that she was parading around, attracting the younger set who wanted to pet the long, curly locks.

As for the other angora, the kind that give angora, there were lots in attendance, some being sold. This lovely fellow was wiggling around until he saw the camera. Then he sat down and posed.

The adorable alpaca, with his fresh haircut, wanted to get up close and meet everyone. Definitely wanted a shot from his good side.

Gotland sheep were the featured breed of the year. If I'd wanted the fleece, I could have had it sheared for me right then and there:

Churros gave a lovely showing as well:

I'd seen pictures of Scottish blackface sheep, but I had no idea they were this tiny. These little guys are almost lap-sized. While the fleece is often coarse, this little flock felt like they were soft enough for good outerwear.

I didn't catch what breed this little lambie-pie was, but it was some kind of hair sheep:

For all you Blue-faced Leicester fans, here's that famous "blue" face:

In the marketplace, I saw the new Schacht Sidekick being demonstrated at the Abstract Fiber booth:

Every year I'm tempted by these glass needles, but I haven't succumbed yet. Maybe sometime. There was a pair out for demonstration just to prove that they don't really squeak when you knit with them.

And at the Blue Moon Fiber Arts booth -- anyone who practiced the flash mob dance for Sock Summit should recognize Steven. Tina (one half of ST1) is behind him to the left.

This was a great book booth, with lots of vintage and antique books. I picked up two books of sweater patterns from the 40s for my vintage collection.

The best part, of course, is meeting up with friends to knit and spin together, and to show off all the new pretties.

I was pretty restrained this time around, since my stash boxes are stuffed full. I even had cash left when I was done. I picked up (clockwise from the left) a 4 oz hank of silk/alpaca blend to spin, a 2 oz cup of B-type pygora fiber, two 2 oz hanks of pure silk spinning fiber from Blue Moon (in the Morticia colorway, which made it totally irresistible), a skein of mill ends Socks that Rock from the Blue Moon both, and in the middle, 4 ounces of English angora, which is pretty compacted but I don't think it's badly felted. If I find felted bits, I can use it for needle felting. It was only four bucks.

Now I've got to get to knittin' and spinnin'!