Festival celebrates all things fiber

Whether it’s crocheting, spinning, weaving, knitting, shearing, or dyeing, the 2022 Fiber Arts Festival was the place to be this past weekend to learn about all things fiber.

Amid the displays of colorful wool and skeins of yarns, looms and spindles, nearly every sort of fiber art was available. People could stop by and learn different techniques, participate in some of the knitting and crochet circles, and buy everything from handmade socks and scarves to bags of wool and felt animals.

One of the popular attractions was the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) show.

“It was a great experience. The rabbit hobby up here is an amazing community, very family-oriented, which can be a challenge up here since (Alaska) doesn’t have as much access to the number of animals we have in the lower 48,” said Louis Potter, one of the 3 judges for this year’s show.

Potter went on to say that he was impressed with the number of new rabbit breeders and youth breeders that participated this year.

“It was a great, great show, and an amazing turnout, one of the biggest shows they (ARBA) has had in quite a while,” he said.

Melissa Jensen of Palmer was among the participants in the ARBA show with her angora rabbit, Smoke.

“They look at the rabbit’s proportions, muscle, the fur, the overall health of the rabbits,” Jensen explained. She has been participating in the ARBA shows for about a year.

There were also sheep on hand as people had the chance to learn more about the work that goes into shearing, drying, skirting, and preparing the wool for the upcoming Alaska State Fair. Visitors could also watch as wool was dyed into the lovely colors that later create warm wool sweaters, hats, coats, and more.

Meanwhile, there were different workshops and opportunities for people to learn about methods of creating various types of fiber art.

Adriane Weatherby of Tundra Toes was on hand showing how she creates socks, scarves, hats, and more using a circular sock knitting machine.

“I’m kind of known as the sock machine person, so if someone is buying a machine, wants to learn, I can help with a few lessons,” Weatherby said as she was showing friend Alex Colt how to get started on a second sock knitting machine.

“I want to support the fiber arts community and keep that knowledge rolling, and this is a great way to get kids involved, husbands, new people all into this,” she said, before summing up the whole event.

“The fiber arts community is just a great community, welcoming and fun to be a part of it.”