Designs by KN blog

Yesterday DH and I visited the Estes Park Wool Market in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado.

It used to be our tradition to go up to the fair every June but we hadn’t made it for a few years.  The trip was part of a weekend birthday celebration that included Friday evening dinner at Mimi’s Cafe, a Saturday afternoon Colorado Rockies game (on an unusually scorching 93-degree day!)…

… and a scenic drive to Estes Park for the fiber fair, followed by lunch at the Molly B. cafe (our traditional stop.) It was very windy (unfortunately making conditions worse for the High Park wildfire burning to the north, with smoke plumes visible in the distance) but we persevered through the swirling fairground dust and flapping tents housing the animals and exhibits.

We always enjoy the chance to get close-up looks at the wonderful fiber animals:  llamas, alpacas, vicunas, angora rabbits, goats and sheep.

DH had some new camera equipment he wanted to try out, so it was the perfect venue for him.  There are usually some herding dogs walking around the grounds with their owners, and the scenery surrounding the fairgrounds can’t be beat.

While strolling the grounds and barns I spotted knitted and crocheted shawls, scarves and hats, while some of the on-site booth caretakers were spinning and knitting.  There was a Sheep-to-Shawl competition going on in one of the tents:

There was a vendor building where supplies for the fiber arts (spinning, knitting, weaving, crocheting, etc.) could be purchased, including fleeces, raw fiber, yummy yarns, kits, patterns and books.  I always have Designs by KN business cards in my bag just in case I should meet another knitter or crocheter who might be interested in the free pattern database.  I resisted the temptation to buy anything this time around although it was hard not to pet every animal at the fair and every bag of fleece or hank of yarn on display.

Here are some more views from this year’s fair:

If you’ve never been to Estes Park or the wool show, do try to visit at least once in your life.  Rocky Mountain National Park is just up the road (we even spotted an elk herd on the green grass near the lake in town!)

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