By Sarabeth Parido We know it’s still hot outside- but the fall is coming quickly! Autumn is a beautiful time to be a fiber farmer. The sheep are growing out their winter coats, the garden is winding down, and everywhere you look the foliage is beginning to shift colors. Here in Kentucky, that means the woods and fence rows are suddenly full of potential dye material. Sometimes the most beautiful natural dyeing starts with a walk around the farm. A bucket of acorns or black w

The Bluegrass Yarn & Fiber Crawl kicks off this weekend and runs July 24 through August 2.

It's time to start planning your summer fiber adventure! The Bluegrass Yarn & Fiber Crawl returns July 24 through August 2.

Masterson Station Park was overflowing with wool, laughter, full shopping bags, and the unmistakable energy that only festival weekend can bring! The 16th Annual Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival was a tremendous success. Despite a little Kentucky weather keeping us on our toes — with rain showers moving through on Saturday and summer heat arriving on Sunday — thousands of fiber enthusiasts, shepherds, artisans, families, and friends gathered for an unforgettable weekend cele

By Sarabeth Parido One of the most beloved parts of the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival is back—workshops for 2026 are officially live! Each year, these classes offer a chance to slow down, learn something new, and spend time with others who share a love for fiber, creativity, and handmade work. Whether you’re brand new to fiber arts or have years of experience, this year’s workshop lineup has something to inspire you. Our 2026 workshops cover a wide range of fiber arts

by Sarabeth Parido Work has already begun behind the scenes for the next Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival. The Festival Committee meets year-round to dream, plan, organize, and fine-tune all the details that make our weekend together feel seamless and welcoming. From coordinating vendors and workshops to organizing the fleece show and sale, contests, and community programming, there’s a lot that happens long before the gates open in May. As we begin shaping the 2026 festival

Planning is already well underway for the 2026 Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival, May 16-17, 2026 Masterson Station Park in Lexington, KY.

by Sarabeth Parido Looking for meaningful, handmade, locally produced gifts this Christmas? Skip the big-box stores and discover the heart and soul of local fiber arts with the Kentucky Fiber Trail — a year-round guide to some of the best fiber farms, yarn shops, and artisan studios across the Commonwealth. The holidays are the perfect time to explore the trail and support Kentucky makers who pour their creativity, skill, and tradition into every skein, fleece, and finished

By Sarabeth Paraido As we head into the fall and holiday season, many will start to handcraft their gifts for loved ones. For those who raise their own fiber animals, this is a wonderful expression of their creativity and love for both their animals and the ones they are gifting their items with. One of the most magical parts of working with fiber is watching wool transform—from a soft, creamy fleece to vibrant yarn full of depth and life. Natural dyeing is a craft of tra

By Sarabeth Parido Workshops are at the heart of the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival — a place where creativity meets community and where fiber enthusiasts of all levels come together to learn, share, and grow. The 2025 Festival was no exception, offering an inspiring lineup of classes that celebrated the skill, artistry, and joy of working with natural fibers. This year, attendees had the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics — from beginner-friendly spinning and

By Sarabeth Parido We’re thrilled to announce that applications are now open for vendors and workshop instructors for the 2026 Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Festival, happening the third weekend of May 2026 at Masterson Station Park in Lexington, KY. This two-day celebration of fiber arts brings together shepherds, makers, fiber artists, and enthusiasts from across the region for a weekend of shopping, learning, and community. Vendor Applications Our vendor marketplace is a juried e

Shared with permission- photo by Dezirae Edwards By Sarabeth Parido The 2025 Bluegrass Yarn and Fiber Crawl has officially wrapped up, and we are still riding the wave of inspiration, connection, and creativity it sparked across Kentucky. Over the course of ten days, fiber lovers hit the road to explore local yarn shops, fiber farms, and artisan studios across the region. What they found was far more than just beautiful yarn they discovered a warm, welcoming community, new fr

By Sarabeth Parido Get ready to pack your project bags and hit the road! The 4th Annual Bluegrass Yarn & Fiber Crawl, hosted by the Kentucky Fiber Trail, runs from July 25 through August 3, 2025 — and this year’s crawl promises even more fiber-filled fun, friendly faces, and unique shopping than ever before. Whether you're a knitter, spinner, weaver, or simply fiber-curious, the crawl is your invitation to explore some of the most creative and welcoming yarn shops, fiber farm

by Sarabeth Parido Calling all fiber lovers, yarn hoarders, makers, and curious explorers—mark your calendars for July 25 through August 3, 2025 and join us for the Bluegrass Yarn and Fiber Crawl! This 10-day event is a celebration of Kentucky’s rich fiber arts community, brought to you by the Kentucky Fiber Trail and its incredible network of farms, shops, and studios. Whether you’re a knitter, spinner, crocheter, felter, or just fiber-curious, this is your chance to discove

By Sarabeth Parido Spring is in full swing, and so is our excitement for the 15th Annual Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival, happening May 17–18, 2025 at Masterson Station Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Whether you're a longtime fiber enthusiast or simply curious about the world of fiber, art and all things wooly— this event promises a weekend packed with inspiration, learning, and community. You'll find over 60 vendors offering hand-dyed yarns, fleeces, spinning supplies, finis

The 2025 Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival Returns May 17–18 The countdown is on! The 2025 Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival is just around the corner, taking place next month—May 17–18—at Masterson Station Park in Lexington. As we prepare to celebrate our 15th year, we’re excited to continue building on the traditions that have made this event so special! For those who are new to the festival, the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival was created to showcase the state’s rich far

by Sarabeth Parido Entering a fleece competition is a great way to showcase the beauty and quality of the wool you produce. Each year, the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival hosts a variety of competitions, including those for wool, alpaca, and mohair fleeces. If you’ve ever considered entering but weren’t sure where to start, this guide will walk you through the process. Why Enter a Fleece Competition? Competing in a fleece competition is an opportunity to: Gain recognition f

by Sarabeth Parido Shearing season is here once again! Shepherds are gathering up bags of wool, and hand spinners are on the lookout for their next great fleece. But what makes a fleece stand out? And how can you, as a shepherd, make sure your wool is top-notch for spinners? While there are some buyers who want the fleece as fresh off your animals as possible, you may need to prep your fiber a bit to get the most value for your wool. Whether you're into fiber arts or raising

by Sarabeth Parido Are you ready to unleash your creativity and dive into the world of fiber arts? The 2025 Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival offers a fantastic lineup of workshops designed to inspire and educate both beginners and seasoned crafters alike. Whether you're interested in knitting, spinning, weaving, or felting, our expert instructors are here to guide you every step of the way. Here’s what you can look forward to: A Wide Array of Workshops for All Skill Levels F