By Cali Bagby
Staff photo / Cali Bagby
Greg White at the spinning wheel.
Weekly editor
G White’s Shetland ram.
Contributed photo
reg White is the only man to ever win the Sally Bill Memorial award at the San Juan County Fair, and he has won the honor twice. The award, named after a
Photo by John Small
Spring Street International School Co-Ed Day & Boarding Grades 5–12 505 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 360 378-6393 • www.springstreet.org
• Small classes, 15 APs • Expeditionary travel • Caring instructors who teach students to question, think and explore • Celebrating 20 years this Spring!
master spinner from Orcas, is for the best hand-spun item, meaning that White had to sheer the sheep, wash the wool, spin the yarn all by himself, and all that happened before he even started knitting. “Actually three-fourths of the work is done before you get to knitting,” White said. White, an avid knitter, is no stranger to the fair. He has participated in the Sheep to Shawl every year since 2009. He jokes that he is one of the newer members since the Orcas members have historically been in the group for many years. This year he is entering a sweater, but not just any sweater. The item was created over the span of several years throughout five states in various forms of transportation including a train, plane and boat. It also has sentimental value. White calls it a story sweater. For instance there is a black band of ravens on one arm in honor of his father in law who passed away recently. The sweater is also special because it was made from White’s own Shetland sheep. “I like knowing the shed and where the wool comes from,” he said.
The story sweater.
Contributed photo
In addition to the sweater, White is entering a purple hat that his daughter, Erin, helped to dye.
OTTE LIVESTOCK at
DRIFTWOOD RANCH Orcas Island
Good Luck to Everyone at the Fair! • Natural Grass-Fed Angus/AngusX Beef Cattle since 1996 • Organic Land Practices since 1996
376-4340