Fete de la Laine

What a fabulous day it is today. Hot and sunny and sorely needed after some chilly and damp weather - it is all very changeable, but the only clouds in the sky right now are white and fluffy.

I've been to Bussiere-Boffy to a Fete de la Laine which took place in a tiny chapel, obviously deconsecrated now, just above the village.


There were spinners and weavers there and a lady making bobbin lace - very fine - which she told me was very close to Honiton lace. It was gorgeous but sooooooooo slow to do! Also, a display of sheep-shearing in the old-fashioned way. In fact it was an angora goat, who seemed to like the experience so much she fell asleep at one point...
...although anyone might be forgiven for doing that after looking into the face of the handsome young shepherd who was doing the shearing...

...he also spins yarn (both on a spindle and on a wheel), weaves, and I think he said he makes felt too - but he doesn't knit. Yes, I know...probably gay... and anyway far too young for me!

Inside the chapelle were the spinners and their stalls - yarn to buy as well as items already made. The prices, however, were more expensive than I've seen anywhere on the Internet...


...I did buy a couple of small skeins to make some lavender pears and I've already started one! Watch this blog for some pictures when they're done!