Wensleydale wool

I was home for three days after I returned from Ohio.  Then I was off again for Oregon.  The Black Sheep Gathering is held in Eugene, Oregon every year with spinning, knitting, and dyeing classes; fleece, skein, and garment competitions; and lots of great vendors. My dear friend Lois Olund picked me up from the airport in Portland and took me to her farm near Corvallis, where she raises the largest flock of Wensleydale sheep in North America.  Those of you who remember the mail-order days of Knitting Traditions will also remember the incredible Wensleydale yarns I imported from England.  It is an exceptional fiber, strong, lustrous, and luscious!  Lois showed me the flock and her carding equipment.  She prepares the fibers and dyes them too, as well as selling fleeces.  I can't wait to have the time to spin this wondrous stuff Lois gave me!  Check out her website! When I wasn't teaching I wandered the vendor hall and found silkworms! Walking the vendor floor I also ran into Michelle of Toots LeBlanc, who has luscious z-plied yarns, which are great for twined knitting as well as regular knitting! Toots Le Blanc Then I found Lois, happily spinning away... Black Sheep Gathering: Bellwether Wool Company Donna, in the video, was referring to Judith MacKenzie, the famous spinner/teacher who judged the spinning competition. I was lucky to be able to spend time with my friends Joan Schrouder, Janel Laidman, and JC Briar, as well as Y'vonne Cutright, all talented knitting designers and teachers.  I am especially glad I got to spend time with Lois, since we hadn't seen each other in over thirty years.  Where has the time gone?