Kid ‘N Ewe

It was early November, and I decided to go to the Central Texas Wool Market.

They call the wool market “Kid ‘n Ewe”. Baby goats are called kids. Female goats and sheep that are old enough to be mothers are called ewes.

We went into the building where the people were selling wool and spinning and weaving.

There was a contest called “Fiber to Fashion” that people were competing in.

Most of the people in the contest were women. The women competed in teams.

Some women on the teams got a loom ready to weave.

Other women sat in chairs and took wool from sheep and spun it into yarn.

When you get wool from sheep, goats or llamas, you cut the fur off with clippers in the spring when the weather is warm.

Some goats and llamas are combed or brushed to get their wool. Animals are not killed to get wool from them.

Some teams used mohair from goats to spin yarn.

One team used the trimmed fur from llamas to spin into yarn. They called themselves the Llama Mamas.

Some people from San Antonio had newspaper cut into thin strips. They spun the newspaper into a long strand.

The fabric made from the newspaper was very thin and stiff. You can’t wash it, because the paper will fall apart.

While the women were spinning and weaving to make the cloth, I looked around at the other displays.

Some people were selling wool that was clean and dyed in different colors ready to spin.

Some people were selling yarn already spun and ready to use for knitting or weaving.

Some people were selling spinning wheels, looms and accessories.

There was another building in the market. This was a livestock building where the animals were.

The only animals I saw that day were Cashmere goats.

They were really soft. Their wool makes a very warm, soft sweater or coat.

The cashmere goats had a show. Women who owned the goats took them out of the pens to be judged for which was the best cashmere goat.

Some of the people raising goats were young girls. Cashmere goats are pretty small. They led them around on leashes.

This little white goat won third place.

Back in the other building, the teams competing in the “Fiber to Fashion” contest were finishing.

To win the contest, you had to finish something to wear, like a scarf or shawl.

A lady judged the contest and gave prizes based on which shawl was best looking and had the fewest mistakes.

The shawl made of llama fleece won third place.

The shawl made of newspaper and string won fifth place.

It was a lot of fun to see the goats, and looms and spinning wheels and yarn. I also saw some old friends.

I liked the Kid ‘n Ewe Market so much, I think I’ll go back next year.

The End