Pagosa Springs Fiber Festival

I finally had a chance to experience a Fiber Festival - and I had to go all the way to Colorado with my daughter and son-in-law to do it! Christy was interviewing for a teaching job and we just happened to find out that there was a fiber festival the same weekend in beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Pagosa Springs is in southwest Colorado, about 60 miles east of Durango, in beautiful mountain country. Although it was not a real large festival, it was still fun and educational.

SPINNING

Christy knows how to spin and wanted to try spinning mohair. This very kind woman clipped some mohair off her little mohair goat (in the lower left of the picture) and Christy tried spinning it straight from the animal. (Speaking of spinning, I'm taking my first spinning class on Saturday, June 10th! I can hardly wait. . . .)

ANIMALS

This little guy was a very friendly alpaca and he was even willing to hold still for pictures. His wool had already been sheared for the summer, so he was quite comfortable.

SHEARING

Christy (on the left) and I (on the right) sat and watched the sheep shearing for a while. They didn't like being taken to the shearing platform, but once there, they held quite still. I'm sure it feels good to get that thick winter coat off!

WOOL PROCESSING

This woman showed us how they "skirt" the fleece as the first step of processing the wool. She lives in the local area, has a 40 acre personal farm, and works three days a week at the Mountain High Fiber Ladies Fiber Processing Mill. She explained the whole process to us and even offered to give us a tour!! Sadly, we were expected back in Durango at a certain time so asked for a rain check for the next time we were in town. If Christy and Chuck move there, it will be sooner than later! Speaking of Chuck, he was a real trooper - went to the fiber festival with us, even walked around and took a couple of pictures for me. How many DH's would do that?!