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Thursday, January 13, 2011

PA Farm Show Sheep to Shawl






Yes, Pennsylvania has a huge indoor farm show in January. Rational for the timing is that it is the season when farmers are less busy and can take time to attend.

For 32 years, one of the most eagerly anticipated events is the Sheep To Shawl. It is highly competitive and the auction afterwards always leaves local folks stunned at the prices paid. Last night was no exception. Shawls ranged from $600 to $2200. for some of the most beautiful works of fiber art I've seen. This year I was not judging, just watching . My biggest problem was not being able to FEEL the fibers and the shawls. The fiber world is the only place I know where everyone needs to touch and no one is offended when a total stranger "feels" what you are wearing.

Six youth teams participated in a fleece to shawl in the morning. I was really impressed with the 6 shawls produced. Pictured are the six shawls on the finished table. The pink one was the winner. It was beatifully done made with Bluefaced Leicester fiber in the warp and sold for $650. All proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Awareness. Second place was a surfing themed shawl with a gorgeous hand paintd warp. Third place took the spinners award.(pictured) They were spinning a Potosi BFL/Shetland fleece, making me really proud. The 6th place team had an Autism theme and donated their $800 to autism awareness. We will be having teams for farm shows for many years to come from the enthusiasm and talent of these young teams.

Eight adult teams spun and wove shawls that were works of art. Potosi fiber was in two of them. BFL in one and Shetland in the other.The BFL getting the spinners award. The winning shawl(pictured) was a Bluebird inspired shawl getting a winning bid of $950.Soo pretty! Second place (Pictured) was shades of Blue using Bluefaced Leicester fiber. It got the spinning and shearing award. Fouth place commanded the $2200. figure bid. It received team choice and fleece (corriedale) award. Their theme was Native American and their costumes and choice of pattern were so suited to the theme.

The eight adult team shawls were all incrdible works of art! Wish I could have taken one home.

5 comments:

Judith said...

Beautiful shawls - so amazing it can be done in a day.

Potosi Sheep Farm said...

These shawls are made in 2 to 3 hours. Isn't that amazing?

David Singleton said...

Kathleen,
Do you have any more photos of the Adams Co youth team? Their coach (my wife) would love to see them.

Your fleece was amazing!

Potosi Sheep Farm said...

David, I"ll send the pictures I have. Give me your email.
Wish the fleece could have been more evenly crimped front to back. I am afraid it cost the team some points.

roxy said...

Those are pretty. We went up Friday instead this year. Very crowded.Watched the Wool Sheep Judging, not many breeds entered. Looks like Rhianna's group still has the record for the shawl bid. By the way, How is my shawl coming along. The suspense!!! I gave your number to a butcher looking for slaughter lambs. Sold 2 shetland ewes. They will go after they are sheared in April.1