2008 FINGER LAKES FIBER TOUR
ITINERARY
July 9 – 13 & September 17 – 21, 2008

DOWNLOAD UPDATED (As of March 17) ITINERARIES AT A GLANCE

JULY 2008 TOUR (PDF)>>>

SEPT. 2008 TOUR (PDF)>>>

Wednesday, July 9th or September 17th

Arrival. You will be met at either the Elmira or Rochester airport. If you prefer to arrive on your own, plan to be at the Glen Manor B&B across the street from Finger Lakes Fibers Yarn Store on east 4th St. in Watkins Glen - our base camp for the next few days - by 4:30 pm. Registration begins at 3:00 pm and there’ll be plenty of room to sit and knit and visit with our tour participants.

This evening we will enjoy introductions and a welcome reception at the Glen Manor with light appetizers and a wine tasting from Lakewood Vineyards, an award winning winery overlooking the western slopes of Seneca Lake, the largest of the glacially formed Finger Lakes.

Thursday, July 10th or Thursday, September 18th

After breakfast, our motor coach will head east through the scenic rolling hills of the Finger Lakes region to Bel Canto Alpaca Farm. Specializing in alpaca breeding, our host Barbara Rossi will share her knowledge of farm planning, alpaca care, marketing, and farm management. The tour will include a visit to Barb’s farm fiber shop which features high quality alpaca yarn, roving, and other products.

Next, we will travel east to the nationally famous Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca on the south end of Cayuga Lake. Since opening more than thirty years ago, Moosewood has become known for its line of vegetarian cookbooks. We will get to choose from among these award-winning recipes that use the freshest local ingredients.

Following lunch, we will have a class with master spinner Kathy Halton who will demonstrate the ancient art of hand spinning using a drop spindle. Participants will receive a locally crafted solid wood drop spindle and enough fiber to get started on their own small spinning project. If you prefer to just explore Ithaca on your own, then consider a visit to Handwork Gallery, a unique cooperative artisan shop offering a range of fine local crafts and regional art. Hosting the work of forty select artists including Kathy Halton, the shop offers unique items in a variety of fiber and other media.

On our return trip, we’ll have a chance to shop at one of Ithaca’s lovely yarn stores, Knitting, Etc.; and also stop in at a wonderful hand spinners and dyers supply shop, The Spinning Bunny. When get back to Watkins Glen, there will be time for a cruise on Seneca Lake, a state park hike, or pedicure that we will be happy to help you arrange; and then dinner on your own at one of several popular harbor-side dining options. After dinner, relax on the porch at the Glen Manor or knit at Finger Lakes Fibers Yarn Store (which will stay open as late as folks want).

Friday, July 11th or Friday, September 19th

Today the group will head north after breakfast; and following a short drive, we will arrive at the Schaefer Yarn Company in Interlaken. This is fiber heaven! Well-known for its luxurious hand-painted designer yarn, this behind-the-scenes, hands-on tour will allow participants to meet Schaefer’s founder and creative director, Cheryl Schaefer, and hear how her gardens and the beauty of the seasons in the Finger Lakes inspired her unique color choices – now numbering 36 palettes in wool yarns, 18 colorways of cotton, and silk yarns in all 54 colors. Each skein is individually hand-painted. Participants will each be able to dye a skein of sock yarn to bring home with them at the end of the tour.

Lunch this afternoon will be at the The Red Newt Winery and Bistro on the east side of Seneca Lake. Set on a scenic deck overlooking the lake, we will enjoy regional specialties of the house. Finger Lakes wines that pair with the foods will be available for purchase.

Next stop will be a visit to Bear Farm on the edge of the Finger Lakes National Forest (NY State’s only national forest). Bear Farm was founded nearly 20 years ago by Carole and Mark Harth who raise white and colored Corriedale sheep; and offer high quality wool yarn, clean hand-spinners fleeces, and specialty products at very reasonable prices. They have three all-natural colors spun with natural wools, plus twenty-six heather colors made with a blend of dyed and natural wools. Participants will receive a small skein of this attractive yarn to take home with them.

Later in the afternoon our group will split in two and half will visit Skyland Farm, a haven for great art set in a creatively restored historic barn. The shop is set among stone-walled gardens, a labyrinth, and grazing goats. The work of over 300 local artists and a working pottery studio are part of this unusual farm, the only attraction in the area featured in National Geographic’s guide to the northern Appalachians. The other half of the group will visit Graceful Arts specialty shop featuring hand-spun and hand-painted yarns, one of a kind patterns designed by Graceful Arts’ owner Karey Solomon, and knitting supplies.

Atwater Estate Vineyards will be the site for an early evening reception including a complimentary wine tasting; and a perfect setting in which to unwind after a fiber-filled day. The vineyards are planted with sixty acres of fifteen varietals including native, hybrid and vinifera grapes. Atwater’s dry Riesling was featured in Wine Spectator magazine as one of the nation’s top wines of this type.

Saturday, July 12th or Saturday, September 20th

This morning we will tour the Chedzoy Goat Farm on a hill above Watkins Glen. The farm specializes in raising angora goats. This is the perfect tour for those who think they may want to raise goats or other fiber producing animals but who may not want to undertake a large herd or farm. A Cornell University extension agent will be on hand to answer questions. You will also learn how to select and breed goats that will produce the highest quality mohair and receive some mohair roving.

Our tour will continue with a visit to the new Autumn Mist Fiber Mill in nearby Prattsburg. Mill owner Leslie Jorritsma will show us how fiber is processed beginning with washing and picking, and walk us through the carding, spinning, and plying steps. Each participant will receive a small sample of yarn.

Return to Watkins Glen for lunch at one of many downtown restaurants or snack bars on your own. Following lunch, participants will select one of the following afternoon workshops at locations in and near Watkins Glen. Instruction will be given by local fiber artists.

Lace knitting - Select a pattern for a scarf, shawl, socks, or lap throw to knit in lace. Learn the stitches required to complete the project. Review the history of knit lace and the basics of lace designs in knitting patterns. Reading a chart and the importance of blocking finished projects will also be covered. Supplies available for purchase at class with a special 20% tour discount.

Needle felting - Using sharp needles, learn to draw and paint with raw fibers and rovings on felted backgrounds to make a needle felted work of art. We will emphasize the technique of using needle sharps to interlock fibers and create artistic images. Participants will need to purchase a kit of felting needles, a foam rubber pad, and wool fibers from the instructor ($25).

Crochet for knitters – Participants will learn the basics of crochet. This session will enable participants to get started crocheting a simple objects or find out the best way to apply a crochet edging to knitted garments and other projects. Supplies available for purchase at class with a special 20% tour discount.

Appliqué quilting - The class will make a journal cover from wool felt. Techniques covered in the class will be learning to work with wool felt and freezer paper to achieve your design. We will also introduce varied embroidery stitches to accent the floral appliqués. Participants will need to purchase a kit that includes wool felt, needle, embroidery floss, freezer paper, and journal ($29.50).

Following the afternoon workshops, participants will have some free time for a hike, lake cruise, or relaxing massage; or visit O’Susannah’s Quilt Shop on 4th Street – an independent quilt shop specializing in the finest 100% cotton fabrics. Take a break from knitting and do a little quilting!

Our farewell banquet this evening will take place at Veraisons Gourmet Restaurant at Glenora Wine Cellars overlooking Seneca Lake north of Watkins Glen in Dundee. The meal will feature inspired regional cuisine by an award-winning chef. Finger Lakes wines available for purchase.

Sunday, July 13th or Sunday, September 21st

Following breakfast, departure. Guests will be driven to the Elmira or Rochester airport for their flights home.

OPTIONAL SUNDAY POST-TOUR EVENT FOR JULY TOUR
additional fee

Visit the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in nearby Corning, NY. Watch the Hot Glass Show at the Glass Center where master glassblowers create beautiful vases, bowls and more asa narrator explains each step in the process and answers your questions. See the best of American Western and Native American art preserved and interpreted at the Rockwell Museum, a focal point for engaging, dynamic exhibitions. Explore the many shops on Corning’s historic Market Street and in the Gaffer District. Lunch and dinner on your own.

OPTIONAL SUNDAY POST-TOUR EVENT FOR SEPTEMBER TOUR
additional fee

The Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival is one of NY State’s premier wool and sheep events. Held at the Hemlock, NY, Fairgrounds, this popular festival is a must-do for any fiber aficionado visiting our area. Sponsored by the Genesee Valley Handspinners Guild, this festival offers a variety of demonstrations, exhibits, workshops, classes and vendors related to the fiber arts including fiber dyeing, felting, knitting, sheep shearing, herding dog demonstrations, and a spinning and knitting tent. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Participants who stay for either of the Sunday workshops will depart the following morning.

Finger Lakes Fiber Tour developed with support from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets' Agri-tourism marketing grant.

Last updated March 18, 2008