This was my third consecutive year at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and this year I had a plan to maximize my visit.  I got there at 9:30 a.m. and so the traffic to get into the fair grounds was minimal and I got a good parking space. 

I decided to walk to the main exhibit hall first which is the farthest from the entrance and then work my way back so that when I was ready to leave, I’d be close to the parking lot.  My plan worked beautifully, I was able to visit all the vendors in the main hall and still have the time and energy to visit many vendors in the tents that are closer to the fair entrance.

First, here’s a few photos of some of the wonderful animals that were at the fairgrounds.

My first purchase of the day was this great Festival tote bag.  Love the turquoise coloring and I have plenty of room for my knitting projects.

Here’s my New Yarn Bowl.  I’ve wanted one of these for quite a while.  I stopped at   Greenbridge Pottery.  They had a wonderful selection of pottery.

In the bowl is one of the great yarns that I purchased at the festival.  It is 100% Superfine Alpaca hand dyed by Janet Stollnitz of Dyed Dreams.

And below is the shawl pattern that I just love.  I’m using the green alpaca for this shawl.

The shawl is constructed of seven triangles.  I can’t wait to wear this shawl.

I purchased the pattern at Ellen’s half pint Farm booth………………

………..along with this beautiful yarn and another pattern for a poncho using the traditional feather and fan pattern.

And of course, I couldn’t leave the festival without some sock yarn.  This very bright colorway is 373 yards of Superwash Merino by Dancing Leaf Farm.

 And I’ve saved the best for last.  I visited the Hunt Valley Cashmere Booth and purchased almost 600 yards of this beautiful sky blue 4 ply cashmere.  This yarn is amazing.  It’s so soft, I hope I can stay awake as I knit with it.  I purchased a scarf pattern with the yarn and I’m going to make it a little wider so that it will cover my shoulders when I wear it.

 It was truly a terrific day.  The weather was perfect for the festival and the choices outstanding for a knitter like me. I made a real effort this year to buy from local vendors and I’m happy to say that I succeeded.