Sheepdog Classic Afghan Project

The first of its kind Sheepdog Classic Afghan Project was set in motion October of 2011 at the close of the United States Border Collie Handler’s Association dog trials here on Vashon Island.

In attendance were people from all walks of life on Vashon and far beyond, dogs and children, fiber artists, food artisans, booths of sheep knowledge and creativity. The setting at Misty Isle Farms made for a magical weekend. The National Open level event attracts over 75 Handler/Dog teams to compete in The Vashon Sheepdog Classic are not only from Vashon, but all over Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Canada. This annual event takes a tremendous amount of time and energy, not only to organize the competition, but also the booth and spectator areas as well. Once event expenses have been met by a variety entry fees, business sponsorships and entrance gate donations the profits have been donated to Partners In Education benefiting the Vashon Island School District. Last year 100% of proceeds went to PIE. "We are hoping the raffle will bring the extra income to help us improve the the sound system", says organizer Maggi McClure.

The Community Knitter’s group, that meets monthly at Wings Bird Seed Company, was approached with the benefit proposal and a handful of adventurous and industrious knitters were recruited. Their collective experience, artistic approaches, and knitter’s resources began as a basket with skeins of yarn and local raw wool and developed into a work of love and care, hand knit and stitched by 10 women.The concept was to combine hometown volunteer efforts to support both this community event as well as the local schools set the wheels in motion for a project that has bonded a group of knitters through dedication, humor, perseverance, respect and cooperative creativity.

Raffle tickets are available through September 15 at Vashon Pharmacy, Island Quilter, and the Vashon Bookshop. The drawing will be held at the Vashon Sheepdog Classic event on closing day Sunday, September 16, 2012.

Special Thanks to The Vashon Pharmacy for the donation of the luxurious alpaca wool.

And thanks to our exceptionally dedicated knitting enthusiasts: Tori Beck, Anne Bell, Cynthia Chee, Susan Commeree, Edna Dam, JoAnne Hennessey, Nancy Kappelman, Margie Wetherald, Myra Willingham, Lois Yunker.