Asheville recap
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my visit to Rhinebeck. The week after, I headed south to Asheville for a long weekend with 6 of my college girlfriends.
I was able to sneak in a quick trip to SAFF, the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair, since it’s basically right across from the airport. It is much smaller than Rhinebeck, which actually made it more enjoyable for a newbie. I found more weaving yarn there, and even a few options for the curious to try out weaving. I was also hoping to get to Kathrin Weber’s Blazing Shuttle sale but unfortunately my timing didn’t line up.
We rented an Airbnb and cooked all our dinners at home. It was far less rushed than going out every night and gave us all many opportunities to connect. We made delicious apple cider and caramel vodka drinks (rimmed with cinnamon sugar and apple slices). Old friends are the best friends, for sure.
My favorite outings were:
Biltmore: the old Vanderbilt estate, lovingly restored by the family. It was decorated for the holidays which was a treat. The restored tapestries were spectacular. Lunch was in the Stable Café, a converted horse barn.
Art Loeb Trail: our hike was rewarded with 360 degree views of the mountains and valleys.
The farm: my favorite part was visiting a sorority sister who moved from Long Island to Asheville and quite literally bought the farm. Her home sits at the top of the property, looking out over the farm below. She keeps sheep, goats, chickens and bees, and every animal has a name and a story. One goat lost a horn that is slowly growing back, one lived in their den for a month because he was rejected by his mother and one was a bit bossy. The sheep were shy, but the goats were gregarious and happy to eat animal crackers out of our hands.
Asheville is a city of the arts, from downtown to the River Arts District to the Folk Art Center. There is plenty of fiber work, including knitting, weaving and felting, and lots of pottery. My husband is a potter, so that part was also interesting to me. The city is relaxed and it’s easy to enjoy the galleries and studios in the different arts districts. Hurricane Helene hit the area hard in 2024, and some neighborhoods are still in recovery mode.
I would definitely recommend a trip to Asheville around this time of year. The combination of the foliage and the timing of SAFF is perfect.
What’s new on WeaversWeft.com
We launched Leclerc Looms on WeaversWeft.com. Seven looms ranging from rigid heddle to table to floor looms. The Loom Guide highlights the key points of each loom and the Loom Finder is an easy way to find which loom fits your needs. Reach out if you have questions or need more information.
Lastly, thank you all for the great feedback on the Color Wheel Tool. I am working on a few more fun tools that I’m excited about. If you are enjoying our Learn section on the website, please share with your friends.
The best way to stay updated with Weavers Weft:
sign up for the newsletter on WeaversWeft.com and
follow us on Instagram (@Weavers_Weft)
We’ve been busy filling your orders as you get started on your holiday weaving. The color combinations are beautiful. We love sharing your completed weaving projects on Instagram so feel free to send photos.
As always, HAPPY WEAVING!
Mary Ann
Weavers Weft
