Join us for “The Community Spin and Weave Shawl Project” at Estes Park Wool Market on June 13th and 14th, 2026. We will have the fun and camaraderie of a Sheep to Shawl competition but it is open to all Wool Market participants.

Sheep are domesticated, ruminant animals that have been an essential part of the fiber industry for centuries. Raised primarily for their wool, these even-toed ungulates provide a versatile and valuable fleece used in spinning, weaving, and crafting. While the term “sheep” can refer to other species in the Ovis genus, it most commonly describes domesticated breeds that play a vital role in wool production for fiber enthusiasts and artisans.

The llama, a domesticated South American camelid, has been valued for centuries by Andean cultures as a pack animal and fiber source. Known for their social nature, llamas thrive in herds and are intelligent, easily learning simple tasks. Their wool is soft, warm, and low in lanolin, making it a desirable fiber for spinning and crafting. Llamas play an important role in the fiber industry, providing a unique and versatile fleece for fiber enthusiasts.

Handspun skeins highlight the skill, creativity, and dedication of fiber artists. Each skein is crafted with precision, showcasing variations in fiber selection, spinning techniques, twist consistency, and finishing methods. Entries in the Wool Market Fiber Show will be judged on elements such as texture, balance, uniformity, and overall presentation. Whether spun from wool, alpaca, mohair, or other natural fibers, these skeins represent the artistry and tradition of handspinning. Participants have the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges.

Showcasing sheep, goat, camelid, rabbit, and other animal fibers, the Fleece and Fiber Show is a fantastic venue to have your fleeces and fibers judged as well as to learn about selecting fleeces for fiber arts. Watch the judge in action, ask questions, sell your fleeces, or buy high-quality fleeces. This is one of the premier handspinning fiber shows in the nation. Held in the Event Center, judging takes place throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday and is open to the public.

The Cashmere goat is a special breed known for producing luxurious cashmere wool, a fine, soft, and warm undercoat that develops as the days shorten. This prized fiber is carefully harvested for its commercial quality and exceptional softness. Beneath their coarse guard hair, which remains year-round, these goats grow their sought-after winter undercoat, making them a valuable part of the fiber industry.

The Angora rabbit is one of the oldest domesticated rabbit breeds, prized for its soft, silky coat that produces luxurious Angora wool. This fine fiber is carefully harvested through shearing, combing, or plucking, making it a valuable addition to the world of fiber arts.

The Angora goat, originally from Turkey, is a domesticated breed known for producing the luxurious fiber called mohair. This highly sought-after fleece is prized for its softness and sheen. Angora goats are now raised in many countries worldwide, and several breeds have originated from them, including the Indian Mohair, Soviet Mohair, Angora-Don of Russia, and the Pygora in the United States.