For the first time in a couple of years, we were able to make it to the Montpelier Fall Fiber Festival last weekend. The girls brought a couple of friends, and we all had a great time. We are having strangely hot weather, which isn’t super conducive to handling yarn, so I escaped with only a single skein, planning to knit mittens for my little boys with it. Maybe I just missed it, but I didn’t notice anyone selling naturally dyed fibers which got me thinking…maybe I should try and get a table for next year? That might be a neat experience. And really, there needs to be more naturally dyed yarn available, right? So, maybe I’ll do it. If I do, I’ll let you know! And speaking of naturally dyed fibers, thank you for all your orders last week! Everything has shipped and should reach you soon! Moving forward, I am hoping to keep naturally dyed playsilks and goat’s milk soap stocked all the time. So far, so good.
Job is turning four next month and I am almost finished with a birthday sweater for him. The pattern is called “Boy Sweater” and I have really enjoyed knitting it. It feels like it has been a really quick knit, but this comes on the tail of finishing up my Find Your Fade shawl which took for. ever. (And technically I’m not finished because I haven’t woven in the ends or blocked it.) Of course, with the weather being hot and oppressively humid, I am wondering when we’ll actually be needing our shawls and sweaters. Hopefully soon.
I’ve noticed recently that Mabel’s face is beginning to change a bit, moving from baby to toddlerhood and I’ve been getting little glimpses of what she might look like when she’s older. For the first time I am seeing a little of Larkspur, though her personality is more like Beatrix’s. She’s the most outgoing baby we’ve ever had, a total extrovert. She makes friends everywhere we go and protests wildly when we try to pull her away from those new friends. She’s also a “mommy shopper” and will reach up for other women to hold her without a second thought. She makes us laugh so much, and I think she makes other people happy as well.
p.s.The dress Mabel is wearing in some of the photos above was a gift from my friend Nell. It’s handmade in linen and I love it so much! Nell is offering a limited number of these (custom-made to order) in her shop.
Gris fleur says
Quite a lot of people stop me every now and then for the sticker on my car: No yarn is left overnight in this vehicle ;))
Suzy Kopliku says
Such beautiful pictures. Sounds like a perfect day 🙂 Little Mabel is growing up so fast!
Ang Specht says
I’ve only ever bought 3 “real” skeins of yarn…isn’t that awful? I need to branch out more. I don’t even like the feel of acrylics and such. Where I live, though, there is none locally, so buying online is my only option.
Your little one is just a bit younger than my youngest. Mine is my only girl, so she eats it right up in a world full of brothers. She can be crazy, for sure!
I’m just passing through making some (much needed!) blogging rounds. Wishing you a happy weekend!
Marion says
Ginny it looks like a good time was had by all. Your children are beautiful. Beatrix and her friend look alike.
Marion
Gretchen Weaver says
Maybe this is a stupid question but I really don’t know. What are playsilks?
Melissa Nichols says
The festival looked like fun. I used to have one of the Harrisville weaving looms, bought at the shop in New Hampshire which is a beautiful old mill. But I didn’t like the tedious work of warping it so I guess I sold it, don’t even remember doing it. Too many former hobbies, but finally settled on sticking with knitting, crochet and sewing. I can now resist the urge to start new endeavors when I think I could just make something myself instead of buying it ;o)
Julie C says
What a fun festival!
Katie says
I have a few extroverts too and it’s always so funny for me to see my children so in-like me! ?
Lisa says
Lovely photos at the fair and on the farm. Your children looked like they had a good time there. Sounds like you have a lot of lovely projects in mind! I love the sweater you are working on!
Cindy in NC says
It’s been hot and oppressively humid here. Our A/C it’s broken so the ceiling fans have been getting a workout.
I think a booth selling your yarn and yarn-related items would be a huge success. What yarn are you using for Job’s sweater? I love the color.
The photo of Bea and her friend was a reminder of how important friendships are at that age.
Kelly says
Timely comment on us needing more naturally dyed wool. Today’s post by Dr. Mercola ( https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/10/11/fabric-leather-industries-health-effects.aspx) says just that! We need your products badly!
Emily DeArdo says
I love that bumper sticker. Knitting forever! 🙂 🙂
karen says
when I went to my local fiber arts festival it was freezing cold and it was conducive to buying lots of wool,
I would think your naturally dyed wools would sell well. and look at how many helpers you might have!!
Eileen says
I can’t express enough how much I look forward to your posts. The pictures are story book and the people(little and big), beautiful.
Are those apple cider doughnuts? They are the best at fiber shows.
Hot in Virginia, we had snow here on Monday, great for knitters!
Wishing you a happy week
MotherOwl (Charlotte) says
It seems you’re having a lovely time. And boy am I envious of your warm weather. We’ve had almost no summer here. That boy’s sweater looks great. And Mabel in that little dress – shen looks like Ida – Emil of Lönnaberga’s little sister 🙂 Lovely. I wonder if “Ida’s flowers” (her theme song) is translated into English? Now I just have to find out.
God bless.
MotherOwl (Charlotte) says
Dear Ginny. No, “Idas Summersong”, as the name should be, does not exist in English. You can watch the original song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93cCLnZV5q8
I have made a version, that can be sung, trying to keep it simple and sweet like the original. If you (or indeed any of Ginny’s readers) have ideas for improvement, I happily will listen to you.
https://krydderuglen.blogspot.dk/2017/10/ginny-fra-small-things-har-nogle.html
MotherOwl (Charlotte) says
Actuall I was so fascinated by “Idas Summersong” – as the name should be, that I made a singable English version (I found only a literal translation when searching).
It seems links are not allowed here (no hard feelings, I’ve had my share of strange things happenings), so if you want to se it, you’ll have to thake a detour via my name label. As I’m not a native speaker all corrections and ideas for improvement will be listened to with thanks. The text begins like this: “Oh, don’t you believe that the Summer / Will come by itself, no it needs / A someone to push it a little / And make something summery grow.”
Erika says
Oh, I love Emil of Lonneberga! Just discovered him this year and no one I know has ever heard of him. I don’t know why Pippi gets the entire spotlight, but oh, well… Trying to get my hands on some affordable copies of Emil….
Clémence says
oh I like this little dress!
Rebecca says
You should definitely get a table there! We were there as well and I actually saw Larkspur walking by and had that “where do I know her from?” moment.
nicole says
Yes – you should totally get a table next year. I bet that would be huge for you guys! I didn’t see much naturally dyed wool at our sheep festival in ID nor the one on OR (surprisingly).
I can’t get enough of sweet Mabel! Baby F only mommy shops at home. Ha! He is just as happy to be picked up by his sisters as he is me. Little cutie. xo
Elizabeth says
so lovely, that you were able to go! love your pictures. it’s so neat to see glimpses of the person the young child will become! God bless you!
Pam says
Hi Ginny,
I am even more sorry that I missed the festival this year. I could have seen you there. I live in Keswick and usually go every year but I had a minor procedure this year and couldn’t go. I certainly hope you decide to have a table. I would be sure to visit you and get some of your wonderful yarn. I have your green that I’m thinking of doing Henry’s Hat for my grandson. You know the one that’s perfect for Mabel??