There’s a countdown going on here. As of this Sunday (4/22), there are only 12 more days before the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival (MSWF). And only 9 days before C. and I fly out to Baltimore.

Oh, sure. Some of you might not be as excited as I am. Or perhaps you simply don’t get it. What could a rural event far from home with 4H judging and farm machinery for sale offer a city slicker like me?

Where do I start?

Its a vacation - a break from the norm, that I enjoy with my fellow knitters. And knitters (and knitbloggers and spinners) have a large presence at this festival. Oh, yeah – and it is a FESTIVAL! Hello? Festivals = fun, fair foods (like kettle corn and meats-on-sticks), and happiness.

Remember last year? There was the amazing (and overwhelming) knitbloggers meet-up on the hill. Are we up for this again? What about the knitbloggers ball, a post-fair, drink-n-meet shindig at a local pub? We missed it last year, but we’re making time for it now.

Oh, and the vendors. The glorious vendors.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts and their Socks That Rock (STR) was the hot item of 2006. Heck, they were sold out of STR by 10am Saturday morning, and those that did get some were likened to cows.

STR is still on my list, but its not so urgent since I still have last years loot to knit up. (moo) Another repeat vendor will be Brooks Farm. Just ask anyone, this stuff is gold!

In this next week or so, I’ll be reviewing the list of vendors and making up a game plan for our trip. I don’t want to be spending money all willy-nilly and find out afterwards that I missed any important (to me) booths.

And then there’s the Sheep-to-Shawl competition. Last year I was still a little “green” and didn’t really get it, but this year I’m all about it. Can we root for a team?

So, anyhoo... I am excited about this upcoming trip and still have a lot of planning to do. ('What projects to take' and 'which handknit socks to wear' being two huge considerations.)

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