Estes Park Wool Market

Article by Cathy Clark

EPWM, Sunday Morning by Cathy Clark

On June 17-18, 2006, Estes Park Wool Market (EPWM) celebrated its 16th birthday and it was a bash.

Vendor Barn by Cathy Clark

Yes, EPWM is small compared to other wool markets but what makes it special is the smaller size though it seems to fill the Estes Park Fairgrounds. It seems more intimate, more inviting and thus to this native Coloradoan’s mind, much more fun to attend. The gorgeous mountain scenery and the inviting little town add to the ambiance of the setting.

Grayce by Cathy Clark Marjean by Cathy Clark

The weather was perfect – the heat wave subsided for the weekend making the mountain air delicious with the aroma of the lamb cooking, the animal fragrances, the shouts of people recognizing and waving to one another and the sounds of the animals calling from the barns. It was amusing to see and overhear many people calling one another on their cells to locate each other. I am sure many items were sold by one customer calling a friend to come quick before this is sold.

Fibery Goodness! by Cathy Clark Fiber Creations, image by Cathy Clark

The vendors’ barn overflowed with fibery goodness with 50 vendors on the premises, the sheep, llama, alpaca, goat/rabbit barns and tents were filled with fiber enthusiasts as well as innocent spectators who came up to see what a wool market is all about. I am sure several of those innocents went home with something fibery especially after they watched the Sheep to Shawl contest on Sunday and saw the spinners and weavers in action.

Sheep by Cathy Clark Tristan's Reserve Champ Fleece, image by Cathy Clark

Saturday was crowded all day as was Sunday afternoon but Sunday morning was a wonderful time to wander around and visit with vendors who have become friends over the years. That was my favorite time at the market, I was able to catch up with e-friends and favorite vendors who live elsewhere.

Sheep to Shawl by Cathy Clark Sheep Dog Working by Cathy Clark

You know, you can buy fiber via the Internet – and so many of us do – but when you see the actual merchandise in person, it’s doubly difficult to resist. Several people found spindles irresistible even though they don’t (yet) know how to spin. The vendors have yarn, which is what drew the customers in but also other items which you might not have found necessary while shopping on line.

Stash Enhancement by Cathy Clark Jacob Sheep Horns by Cathy Clark

If you haven’t attended the Estes Park Wool Market – put it on your list for next year. You certainly will be glad you did.

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From Cathy Clark:

I learned to knit as a child and taught myself to crochet a decade later. I like to design patterns for my handspun yarns. One of my favorite things to do is spin with the stone whorl spindles when my husband and I drive somewhere (he drives, I spin). Cathy Adair-Clark

Cathy blogs at Catena Expressions and her beautiful pictures of life in Colorado and her amazing crochet pieces are an inspiration! See her crochet pattern in this issue of Fiber Femmes!