RANGELEY – The Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum will hold its eighth annual Knit, Crochet and Crafts Show and Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at the museum on Route 16, one mile east of Rangeley. Admission to the show is free.

Featuring the artistry of Maine fiber artists, the show also introduces visitors to the history of knitting in the northeastern United States, according to Peggy Yocom, folklorist at the museum.

Lucille Richard, organizer of the event, already has sweaters for babies and young children as well as dolls with doll outfits. This year, Richard will also offer multicolored scarves made from the new knitting yarns, such as eyelash yarn and “fun-fur.” Also featured at the sale will be knit goods by women of the Church of the Good Shepherd presented by Klara Haines.

Other Rangeley area crafters, such as Margaret Yezil, will offer a variety of handmade items, such as fanciful moose and Christmas items. With interest in knitting on the increase in Maine and throughout the country, show organizers are inviting knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and other crafters who would like to include their handiwork in the day’s activities to call Richard at 864-5595.

Mittens with two thumbs

On display is the museum’s exhibit on knitting in the timberwoods of Maine: “Hand in Hand: Logging and Knitting in Maine.” It includes gloves worn by local loggers as well as a pair of gray woolen double-thumb mittens from New Brunswick. Worn by woodsmen, these unusual mittens made by thrifty women could be turned over and used on the other side, once the palm-side had worn out.

The Rangeley region also has a colorful knitting story to tell, according to the folklorist. Many of its native daughters, such as Richard herself, Virginia White and Bertha Haines, began knitting as girls, and some cared for and dressed the dolls their mothers made for them. And once Rangeley’s hills were dotted with sheep, since there were 12 to 15 sheep farms in the area, according to Yocom.

Also on view in the museum is a quilt made by Rose Huntoon, formerly of Phillips, and Tinker Dunham of Rangeley. Using a colorful blue background fabric, Dunham skillfully connected the squares of 1930s cotton that had been pieced together by Huntoon years before. Winona Davenport of Phillips, sister of museum founder Rodney Richard, donated her aunt’s quilt squares to the Logging Museum. The quilt is part of the museum’s growing efforts to demonstrate what life was like at home for local loggers and their families.

Carving of a black Lab

The Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum is inviting the public to view its other exhibits as well. Also on display will be the museum’s summer raffle items: first prize, a black Labrador retriever woodcarving by Rodney Richard Sr.; second, a doll dressed in a christening outfit handmade by Margie Haley Mathys; third, a pink, cranberry and white afghan handmade by a woman from Strong; and fourth, a handmade moose pillow donated by the Alpine Shop. Winning tickets will be drawn at the end of the Logging Museum Festival to be held July 23 and 24.

The Logging Museum is open every Saturday and Sunday in July and August from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment, 864-5595.

Yocom is asking if people have knitted goods, patched clothing, or needles, thread or wax used in the logging camps? Or photographs of knitting or woolen goods in the camps? Or memories of knitting in the camps? If so, call Peggy at 864-3421 or Lucille at 864-5595.

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