![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopgXBn5YmO2vbv7U478MjUgOxw36V8W-9T9XNpSbWplb5wDBRSPZvbhFOLATo0764SAZNx71Ko0dEY_LsbQkLvYQsC0xqhNf4GyaFRtVJOJgBgzLJAwS6UcMSFQlHHJXvQ8H3ylTm0Xjx/s1600/woolfest6.jpg) |
A darling little Navajo Churro sheep waiting to be sheared. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N_qNOreDB66cTNigHYcN7N8Rdt0F5a1xo-Pwp_YEJHWk-wqo4Fy2M3rbHADoJJL2IY3Q2rKrBMwr4ovESTmEXLGhFRO6og5DrpGtc6km-GUsqz7b60xH6JMTwC-024_To4O6s8Lm-XRb/s1600/woolfest7.jpg) |
Great book on crochet by talented and sweet Yumiko Alexander. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhky3sliOQLMlqqnnzmBH8lTVSLMaSER3CIzhTiiUiD6Mpv_sU53ucOU4qGcDGsJO-7MzyCJD77EiRkwIAlvgeSwQwigxwQo8kxxjye9up7Wod5mAppO6e5wjrLlDY8brxVV9PNGK_b_3UG/s1600/woolfest2.jpg) |
Kind and thoughtful Jacque Howell had some lovely mohair, angora, and llama fiber for sale. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03a70t8zzCoCA2Jc1VxnGty7AdRjnCh2G2aZKOhoC7gtpZBx_g78UKh8xZ4ceSZ4yL9kFGhsk82HI072NggZSeocEQIXIqKGK1flY-1_lhx1yRc8JqeB27QzcAP36QSVjUhCwhqmyRrYW/s1600/woolfest4.jpg) |
This gentle shearer learned the trade at the age of 8 from watching his grandmother. He shared his wonderful stories with the crowd while taking small breaks from his hard work. |
Photos © Mike Buchheit
This year was truly an exceptional one for
Flagstaff's Fiber & Wool Festival. We spent a few hours and lots of dollars at the event: beautiful fiber artist,
Yumiko Alexander, autographed her book of original crochet designs for us — and we gobbled up bags of gorgeous mohair roving from Jacque Howell (
Arivaca Angora Goats) including some of her award-winning curly mohair locks. My husband and I look forward to this event every year not only to purchase local fiber, but also to meet the wonderful people who work with fiber at various stages in the process: from sheep, llama, alpaca, and goat herders to spinners, weavers, and other artisans. Loretta Flatrock and Vanessa Begay-Lee were just two of the amazing weavers we chatted with, and two artists who may be collaborating with me on future fiber workshops (felting and weaving) — so stay tuned!