If you’re looking for something offbeat and undeniably fun to do, Knight’s Spider Web Farm in Vermont is the way to go. Don’t worry if you don’t like spiders, you don’t have to get up close to the webs if you don’t want to. However, the beautifully preserved webs that are made into art is something you need to see for yourself. Even arachnophobes can’t deny that the stories spun by Will Knight, the Spiderman himself, are captivating, lively and interesting. If you’re looking for hidden gems in Vermont that only the locals know about, this is a place you’re going to want to see for yourself.
Have you been to the world’s “original web site?”
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No, not the world wide web… Knight’s Spider Web Farm in Williamstown.
Here you’ll find Will Knight, an artist and chief web collector, who uses spider webs to make one-of-a-kind artwork.
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Like snowflakes, no two webs are exactly alike so each piece is unique.
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In 1977, the Knights were looking for a new item to add to their finely crafted lap desks, jewelry boxes and accessories.
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It was then they discovered they had a fascination with, of all things, SPIDER WEBS.
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Before long they started adding spider web art to their current business.
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They found they weren’t the only ones who loved the ornate, yet simple beauty of webs. There are thousands of spider and spider web fans worldwide.
Knight had been intrigued by spiders for many years before he started creating web art.
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Look at the tattoos on his elbows! Little known fact: He got these tattoos when he was 18… Long before the spider web farm was created.
This real life “Spiderman” is a celebrity.
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He has appeared on the Today Show, Chronicle, You Asked For It, Japan’s Fuji TV, German Television, Paul Harvey News, All Things Considered, Yankee Magazine, The New York Times and the Boston Globe to name a few.
Knight is a natural born story teller.
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He loves talking to people about everything and anything. And boy, can he spin some yarn!
Winters on the farm are spent preparing wood for the plaques to mount the webs.
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This involves a lot of cutting, planning, sanding and staining to make a suitable bade for a beautiful web.
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By mid-May, he’s ready for the webs.
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If he’s lucky, the spiders are ready too. Luckily, the spiders here are very cooperative.
The spiders build their webs in specially built frames set up around the spider web farm.
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The spiders are treated with care and they thrive with the attention.
If a spider is in a web when it’s ready to be made into art, Knight encourages it to leave.
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How he does that is his secret to keep!
The first step in creating spider web art is to spray a gentle mist on the web to see it better.
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Then a light coat of spray paint goes on the web.
A wooden plaque is passed through the frame to capture the web.
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Once the web is on the plaque, Knight preserves it by sealing it with many coats of fine furniture lacquer.
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The web is now preserved and will last forever.
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Knight doesn’t take credit as the artist, though.
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He says he just provides the canvas and working together they produce a unique product that highlights the art.
Spider web art makes a great gift and adds character to your home.
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After all, spiders are said to bring good luck.
And after 40 years in the spider web art business, the Knights agree.
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They are indeed very lucky.
All are welcome to visit the farm.
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Knight’s Spider Web Farm is typically open daily from June through mid-October, and on weekends for the remainder of the year. It can be open by special appointment anytime, and the stories Will Knight tells you will keep you coming back for a visit time and time again. Be sure to check the farm's website, linked below, for the most up-to-date hours.
Are their other wacky and weird places in Vermont that you’ve visited? What are your favorite unique attractions in Vermont? Let us know below in the comments section.
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Spider Web Farm in Vermont
Luke|September 11, 2020
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