Think Spring -- Think Michigan Fiber Events

It’s officially Spring. The vernal equinox was yesterday, and daytime now outlasts nightime.

And notices of this year’s fiber events have started to arrive in the mail!

Yesterday I received my flyer for the Spring Fiber Fling. It’s a fiber retreat that is held annually in May in Pickford, Michigan (this year, May 14-16). Pickford is in the Upper Peninsula, about half way between the Mackinaw Bridge and Sault Ste Marie. There are six workshops to choose from for Saturday morning, another six to choose from for Saturday afternoon, and five more on Sunday morning. And choosing will be difficult! Workshops cover knitting, spinning, weaving, rug braiding, quilting, felting, dyeing, and embroidery. (I’ll be teaching one workshop on I-cord knitting, and one workshop on spinning wheel mechanics.) There will also be vendors all weekend, and plenty of time for fiber activities, sharing, and relaxing. This annual retreat is sponsored by the Country Spinners and Bridge Shuttlers Guild of Sault Ste Marie. To get a flyer or to register, contact either Lois Robbins, 906-632-3689, loisrobbins@gmail.com; or Jeremy Ripley, 906-253-1565, jerripley@sbcglobal.net.

The day before yesterday, I received a postcard about the Northern Michigan Lamb & Wool Festival. This event is held annually in late September (this year, September 24-26) at the Ogemaw County Fairgrounds in West Branch, Michigan. I always enjoy this festival. It’s not as large as some, but the fairgrounds is a charming place, and the weather usually cooperates. There are plenty of vendors, and workshops to take (I’ll be teaching three spinning workshops). There are food vendors, competitions to enter, and door prizes. A delightful couple of days! Check out their website, www.lambandwoolfestival.com, for more details.

Also, I hear that the Michigan Fiber Festival has sent out its annual magazine with details about this year’s festival (August 18-22), although I haven’t received my copy yet. The largest Michigan fiber event, this one is held at the Allegan County Fairgrounds. Last year there were 100 vendors and four days of workshops. You can also see all sorts of fiber animals, sheep dog demonstrations, and fiber arts competitions. In other words, it’s loads of fun! I’ll be teaching some knitting and spinning workshops this year. Go to their website for more information: http://www.michiganfiberfestival.info/.

So, enjoy all that Spring offers: lengthening days, daffodils, maple syrup, and preparations for Michigan fiber activities!