Other Fun Links:   1858 Historic Ball A historic dance in celebration of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debate to take place on August 30, 2008.   Suzy's Doozies & Suzy's Musings My book and weekly articles.   Galena Historic Dance Society A fun group to practice and learn 19th century dance.  We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the ARC in Galena.  All are welcome!   Stephenson County Fiber Art Fair A marvelous celebration of fiber.
Civil War Suzy:  A tin type taken by photographic historian  Steve Ingram of me with my betrothed (he was at the time, now he's my husband).  I made the bodice with PastPattern number 702 and modified it with coat sleeves.  The skirt is a simple no-brainer - five yards of fabric knife-pleated into a waistband.

In addition to the yarn you see on this website, at events I also have hand-knit items, and I'm always happy to answer knitting questions and help you with your historic or modern project. 

All items sold at my booth are produced from my own sheep.

At historic events and reenactments (marked Historical Event! below) the hand-knit items I take depend on the time period the event is representing. I will take pieces from patterns dated before an event's timeperiod, but never after (you will never see my WWII Red Cross socks at a Civil War reenactment!).  My yarn is always at all events, both modern and historic. 

New for the 2010 season, Mother of Purl (The Coppersmith's Wife) will be carrying my yarn and roving at a number of historical events and yarn shows throughout the Midwest.  Her "Suzy the Shepherdess" yarn and roving is identical to the yarn and roving you will find at my booth and on this website, and all at the same price.  Click here for a list of her events. 

Modern Suzy:  Me at the Stockton Business Expo in March 2005.  I'm knitting, of course, and wearing the wool "Suzy Shawl."  The baskets hold roving and wool, and colored knit mittens (dyed with Kool-Aid) are on the pelt at the front of the table.

You can place an order now and arrange to pick it up at one of my events.  You save yourself the shipping charge and are assured that the item you want won’t be sold out when you come to my booth.  Plus, you get the thrill of meeting me!

Please note that you may have to pay an admission charge if an event requires it.  I've included the admission charge, if any, in each event description below.

I may sell the additional items off my website in the future, but for now they are only available when you see me personally.  So stop by and say hello!

This page is updated frequently so please check it often!

 Last updated Thursday, January 05, 2012

2012 Events

February 3 - 5, 2012.  Reenactor Fest 8 (Military History Fest) at the Pheasant Run Resort & Conference Center in St. Charles, Illinois.  Conference and vendor show for reenactors and history buffs from Ancient Rome through modern times.  One huge room full of vendors, plus some workshops, encampments and activities on the side.  The best historical shopping you'll ever find!  Admission is $20 for one day, $25 for a two-day pass and $30 for all three days.  Visit www.reenactorfest.com for more information.  Note that this used to be called Reenactor Fest, but the name was changed to Military History Fest last year (although I will continue to call it Reenactor Fest!).  Also note that the event is in a new location this year.

     I’ll have yarn, historic pattern kits and hand-knit items made with documented historical patterns.  I’ll also have my book Suzy's Musings & More.

April 14 (Saturday), 2012.  Stephenson County Fiber Art Fair, Cedarville, Illinois.  A celebration of the fiber arts with workshops, demonstrations of spinning and weaving, and vendors offering fibers for spinning plus finished yarn, dyes, books, gifts, equipment, handmade soap and baskets.  Also supplies for spinning, weaving, knitting, felting, dyeing, tatting and crochet.  Admission is $2 for adults, free for kids under 12.  For more information visit www.SuzyBeggin.com/FAF.htm. 

        My products will be part of the Moonspinners booth (on "The Stage.").  I'll have wool yarn, historic pattern kits, and hand-knit items made with both modern and historic patterns.   I’ll also have my book Suzy's Musings & More.

1830s Suzy:  Me at the Apple River Fort (1832) knitting a pair of wool socks.  I made the dress from PastPattern's 1820s shortgown and petticoat pattern.

May 19 & 20, 2012.  Historical Event!  Civil War Days at Naper Settlement, Naperville, Illinois  (Civil War, 1861 - 1865).  Civil War battle and encampment.  $12 adults, $11 seniors, $8 youth (4 - 17).  For more information visit http://www.napersettlement.org/index.aspx?nid=233 

   I’ll have yarn, historic pattern kits and hand-knit items made with documented historical patterns.  I’ll also have my book Suzy's Musings & More.

October 6 & 7, 2012.  Historical Event!  Battle of Morseville, Stockton, Illinois (Civil War, 1861-1865), in Memory of David Pierce.   Civil War battle reenactment with an emphasis on the medical core.  Period fashion show, Sunday church service, and more.  One of the best looking and most authentic reenactment battlefields you'll ever see - not a manicured golf course, but a cow pasture with permanent bridges, signal core tower, and earthworks.  Really cool.  Adults $5, children under 12 free, families $10 (last year's prices, I'm assuming they're the same).  (815) 858-3493.  Food/beverage available. 

        I’ll have yarn, historic pattern kits and hand-knit items made with documented historical patterns.  I’ll also have my book Suzy's Musings & More.

October 13 & 14, 2012.  Historical Event!  Shadows of the Blue and Gray, City County Park, Princeton, Illinois (Civil War, 1861-1865).   Although they skipped a year (2009), the annual Civil War battle reenactment is back.  Period fashion show, candle-light camp tours, period sports activities, Sunday church service, and more.  Admission.  Food/beverage available.  For more information visit Shadows of the Blue and Gray. 

       I’ll have yarn, historic pattern kits and hand-knit items made with documented historical patterns.  I’ll also have my book Suzy's Musings & More.

October 20 & 21, 2012.  Historical Event!  Dollinger Farm Civil War Days, Minooka, Illinois (Civil War, 1861-1865).   Annual Civil War battle reenactment on a farm that has been in the family since 1852.  Admission fee for the battle viewing area only (walking the grounds, camps and sutler area is free).  Food/beverage available.  They also sell pumpkins, etc., so you can get your Halloween decor at the same time.  For more information visit http://www.dollingerfarms.com/civilwar.htm.

     I’ll have yarn, historic pattern kits and hand-knit items made with documented historical patterns.  I’ll also have my book Suzy's Musings & More.