Mainely Spinners to compete at Back to Back Wool Challenge

MILFORD — The Mainely Spinners will be competing in the International Back to Back Wool Challenge on Saturday, Jan. 17 starting at 8 a.m. at the Milford Town Hall, 62 Davenport St. (Jan. 31 is the snow date).

The competition will end when their sweater is complete. This is an annual event that challenges teams of wool crafters around the globe to create a sweater directly from a sheep’s back to a human’s back.

Each team consists of a blade shearer, a country-of-origin sheep and seven hand spinners (with spinning wheels) and knitters who follow the identical challenge rules and pattern to knit the adult size sweater. Come cheer on the team, buy some handcrafted knitted/crocheted items, participate in the silent auction, buy raffle tickets for last year’s competition sweater, watch spinning and knitting demonstrations. All proceeds go directly to Sarah’s House in Holden which provides temporary lodging for patients and their caregiver who travel to the Bangor area for cancer treatment.

The Mainely Spinners include members from Augusta, Brownville, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Lagrange, Lee and Springfield.