Sheep to Shawl, Llama to Pajama Festival in MA

What's going on? There's a sheep on the ground!

The sheep is getting shorn.

An almost naked sheep.

Clean sheep wool goes into the carder on the table.

Some beautiful batts and rovings from the carder.

Sample wool to be dyed.

Kids are fascinated by the finger dyeing. There are some newly dyed yarn in the background.

A close-up shot of the dyed yarns.

There are balls of yarns on the table ready to be used.

Kids learn to knit.

These cones of yarns are ready to be used in weaving demo.

Kids sample the looms and enjoy the weaving experience.

The background on the Sheep to Shawl, Llama to Pajama (SSLP) is that the idea was conceived by Nat Needle and Mihoko Wakabayashi of Saori Worcester Weaving Studio to have an opportunity for all members of the local area, no matter their age or abilities, to meet fiber animals and then watch various artisans utilize the fleece in the multiple manipulations/crafts that transform those fibers into textiles for human needs, such as clothing. At this year's event (and this is the fourth time this has been held) there was a farmer with her llamas, a shearer, who also did a couple of shearings, spinners, dyers, knitters, rug hookers, weavers, etc. Nat, who is an educator by profession, also led groups of children in song and games with a focus on fiber animals and their products.

SSLP 2011 was held at Worcester, MA's Green Hill Park, a multi-acre green spot in the middle of the city. Green Hill Zoo is located here and houses sheep, goats, pigs, ducks and geese and a pony.