Wool the common thread among visitors headed to Greencastle

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Demonstrations like this one given by a group of weavers during Putnam County Ag Days will take place at The Fiber Event April 11 and 12 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

On April 11 and 12, the Putnam County Fairgrounds will be the host site of the second Annual Fiber Event which has an estimated 4,000 visitors every year.

More than 100 vendors and exhibitors take part in the two-day festival which offers workshops, all kinds of fiber, equipment and ready-made fiber related articles for sale.

The Fiber Event provides a marketplace for fiber, equipment, fiber animals and related commodities as well as a learning environment that includes classes, workshops and fellowship.

Competitions include spinning for both beginners and experienced persons, and a fleece contest.

Workshops begin Friday morning with a Design with Ease from a Sweatshirt class by Donna Jo Copeland. Next is a Self Patterning Yarn Dyeing workshop by Yvonne Clifford and Mary Ann Cripe.

"In this class we teach people to start out simple by creating a pair of socks. The fibers we use are really colorful and people love seeing them hanging," says Cripe.

Other classes on Friday include a Rug Hooking class, Needle Felting Critters, Beginning Crochet, Spinning Marl Yarns, Needle Felted Hats from Alpaca Fiber, an Exotic Fibers class and Silk Sock Change Purse and Beginning Rigid Heddle Weaving.

Saturday classes include Making a Basket from Fleece, Harmonizing Colors, Knitting Mitts Lined with Locks of Wool, Crocheting Flowers for Embellishment, Spinning a Bunny, Creating the Yarn You Want and Natural Dyes.

"It's best to register ahead of time for any classes but those who want to sign up the day of the class can go to the registration desk. If the class is not full they can still get in," said Cripe.

A complete description of the available classes with times is listed on the Web Site at www.thefiber event.com.

Parking and admission to The Fiber Event is free. Gates open on Friday, April 11 at 1 p.m. and will be open until 7 p.m. Saturday hours are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Anyone with questions can contact Yvonne Clifford at clifford@ccrtc.com.

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