Demo at the Farm Show

Demo at the Farm Show

It was time for our spring farm show. It’s a trade show for Farmers. There is machinery , equipment, Information an animals and buildings and and just about anything you can think of that a farmer might be interested in. The best part to me is the antique display because I get to be one. The guild I belong to, the Ottawa Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild helps out with a display and demonstration. On the day I was there, there were two of us. Neither of us are weavers so we did Carding, Spinning, and Felting. They were short of space in the room the antiques were in so we ended  up out in the hall to attract people in.

her are to pictures of our display. you can see some machinery outside.

Farm Show Demo Display

Here is Merilyn spinning on an spinning wheel that is a one of a kind home made, she bought 3rd or 4 hand. My ashford traveler is set beside her. you don’t get  a picture of me because I had the camera.

Marilyn demonstrating spinning.

Across from us doing a different kind of spinning was the rope maker. he was so popular with the kids that he got blisters.  After spinning the rope onto the hooks he has someone turn the handle. This moves the grooved paddle slowly down the 4 ropes and it spins the rope behind.  Our rope was much softer.

Rope Maker
"spinning" the rope

Here is my piece of rope. The last piece he made that day.

Rope

The thing I wanted at the farm show was a sock knitting machine. This is a hand cranked affair. they were fairly common at one time. you can make toes, heals and the ribbing for socks with it.  The lady that was demonstrating this one said she usually does the ribbing by hand because hers doesn’t work very well. I want one of theses because despite enjoying spinning wool I can not knit.

circular sock knitting machine.

11 thoughts on “Demo at the Farm Show

  1. Looks like a fun time and lots of interesting demonstrations. Did you get a sock machine? That would be useful as I don’t knit either.

  2. It is fun Ruth. I didn’t get a machine. They are quite expensive now. You need to be careful which one you get, some you can’t get parts for anymore. The modern machines for socks and pantyhose are the same as this they just have power and computers.

  3. Looks like lots of fun, your spinning a weaving stall looks great and I like the look of the rope too.

    The sock machine looks pretty impressive, I don’t knit either so can see the appeal.

  4. Oh lots of fun Ann, i’ve never heard of a sock machine lol i do knit but i’ve never attempted socks, i think it’d be a lot of fun 🙂

  5. Looks like it was a great show! Your tables were colourful and I would have been drawn to them like a bee to honey.

    I’m so surprised that you can’t knit. All that wool and all that spinning!
    I am of a ‘certain age’ and back in the day most children learnt the basics of knitting and sewing before being able to read properly.

  6. It looks like it was a fun day with lots to see 🙂
    I’d love the sock machine too. I can’t knit either and love knitted socks.

  7. Thanks everyone. Lyn, my mother did try to teach me to knit ( I am closer to 50 than 40 these days) and I have knit several scarves over the years. It’s why I was very happy to find felting. I have always loves wool and yarn but I hate knitting and following patterns is not my thing. The other thing is Knitting takes so long. I am not that kind of patient. It is funny that I don’t mind hand stitching though. just a little warped I guess :O)

    Zed, I am very lucky to have a Mother in Law that loves to knit socks, I am always happy to take them off her hands. I have offered to sell them for her but she just says “who would want my socks” I shout me every time.
    The sock knitting machine is on my list of things to buy when I win the big lottery.

  8. Looks like a nice fair. The display looks very attractive with beautiful colours and works. Our local museum here on the island also owns one of those socks machine, hand cranked as well. However, I don’t know if it will do heels and toes!! Although I also spin yarn, I confess to being a limited knitter. Straight knitting is about all I know and work with whenever I choose to knit, or spool knitting! 🙂

    1. Thanks Mireille, when I watched her, she lifted most of the needles and the went back and forth subtracting to the point of the heel then adding them back to the end. then she put all the needles back down and kept going. The ribber is another ring that is added to the top. I didn’t get to see a toe done.

  9. I like what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever
    work and reporting! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.

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