CT Sheep and Wool-April 28, 2012

A Trip Report by Diane G.
Photos by Alex Iannelli
(report & photos posted here with permission)

HHCC'ers at the 103rd CT Sheep & Wool Festival.

It was a cold start to the day, and little did we realize that it would continue to be “brisk” for the duration of the event.  Upon arrival on a bright sunny but cold morning Nancy, Ruth and I unloaded the many packages and containers of display items and handouts.

We brought our sign and the starter kits, as well as items made of natural fibers.  The young ladies that Dee brought assisted in setting up the displays on the table – heads with wigs, hats and scarves, and a glass head with “brains” of roving and then went out into the sunshine to check things out.

Crochet on Display.

This is a small event, not really spreadout only 4 barns, and some vendors outside under tents.  But there are a lot of things to see, pet and buy.  If you ever go wear sturdy walking shoes as there are not real paths or walkways except indoors.  There were also sheep, sheep dogs, alpacas, and angora bunnies to pet.

While waiting for some parties interested in crochet, Ruth whipped up a new hat for herself which she promptly put on hoping to get a little warmer.  Then she went out into the sunshine and warmth to check out the vendors in the buildings next door and returned wearing wool gloves that displayed only the tips of her fingers.  Dee was toasty warm wearing her mittens, while Nancy and I wore our fingerless mitts and wished we had the yarn to close them up.

We all did our best to help the economy in CT by buying yarn, crochet accessories ( stitch markets, hook markers and shawl pins), wooden hooks, nantucket bags (at a deep discount), and even beads.

More crochet the HHCC had on display.

We demonstrated Tunisian simple stitch and purl (my version which is pretty close to the one in the books), crochet with roving (Dee) and start up crocheters (the young ladies that Dee brought and a few other people).  Also attending: Robyn, and Irene and her husband Alex.

Nancy submitted two items for judging and won ribbons one first place, one third place.  She had never entered anything anywhere before.   We are working on her to enter items at the Big E.

That wind sure did blow through the partially open door of the Red barn and headed straight for us.  We started to envy those sheep clustered in a pen about 25 feet away from us – that is until they started to loose their wooly covering as each were shorn in demos every half hour or so.  I could see the surprised look on their faces as the first of their number returned naked, and he (or she) made straight for the center of the flock to stay warm.  Towards the end of the day only two were left unshorn and they seemd to prefer staying in the middleof the rest of their buddies, but alas they too were shorn of their fleecy covering but not without demonstrating some resistance.

All in all a fine though chilly day.  Only the second time I have attended and I am alrady planning on my warm wardrobe for next year – just in case.

HHCC'ers Win at The Big E

Elaine Wins Blue Ribbon
& Sponsor Award

On Wednesday, September 22, HHCC members were just some of the 70,106 attendees at the Big E Fair.  The weather in the morning was seasonably cool; in the afternoon everyone would be baking in near 90 degree heat.  In attendance on this first day of fall:  Candy, Casey (aka Mini~Dee), Celeste, Chava, Dee, Dee Jr., Diane, Elaine, Fluffy, Grace, Hilda, Irene and Ruth. 

HHCC Booth

Upon setting up the booth, Casey, Dee, Elaine and Ruth learned how their crochet entries fared: they all won Ribbons ranging from Best in Division, Junior to Honorable Mention. Dee and Elaine also won the Sponsor Awards. The Connecticut Fifers marched in, representing 17 marching bands, kicking off the official start to Connecticut Day. 

The HHCC members enjoyed meeting a lot of people interested in crochet.  Many leaflets and crochet patterns were handed out.  This was the eighth year the HHCC has volunteered to demonstrate & promote crochet at The Big E.

In the afternoon, The Connecticut Line Dancers came to The HHCC's aid by volunteering to model for The HHCC's first-ever Fashion Show.  Even though it was 90 degrees, not including the humidity, they were great troopers swirling & twirling the crocheted Shawl Collection on the stage while HHCC President Grace emceed.  The majority of the shawls featured in the show were crocheted earlier this year for a production of Fiddler on the Roof.  The shawls will be donated, with other items, to the Elizabeth House, a battered women's shelter located in Danbury, Connecticut, in early December.

The HHCC & The CT Line Dancers team up for Crochet Fashion Show featuring shawls.



After the Fashion Show the Connecticut Line Dancers were up, showing all how much fun dancing can be.  They called HHCC'ers Dee & Grace up to the stage to learn how ... Fluffy, who is also a member of the CT Line Dancers, said to Grace, "I have a video of you and Dee keeping in step with us. It was a lot of fun, and look forward to teaching you more steps!!"

Everyone had a great time!

The HHCC would like to extend a huge Thank You to the Connecticut Line Dancers, and to all the other volunteers in the New England State building!

HHCC'ers to Demo @ The Big E

The HHCC is proud to announce their return, for the 7th straight year, to the Eastern States Exposition.

The Eastern States Exposition is the ninth largest state fair held in West Springfield, MA. It is commonly known as The Big E.

HHCC members can be found at the Fair, on Wednesday, September 23rd, known as Connecticut Day. Look for them in the New England State building (or just ask where the Cream Puff building is).

HHCC members will be demonstrating crochet during the day.

Additional information about the fair can be found here: http://www.thebige.com/.

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If you are an HHCC member and need a ticket to the Fair for September 23rd, please contact Dee. Free tickets are a 1st come, 1st serve basis.