Rhinebeck Wrap Up

Sigh. We are home, and it was wonderful. Here is the recap.

Saturday morning, we got primo parking and entered the fair around 9:30. We encountered some adorable alpacas.



My father will be happy to know that I did not, in fact, adopt them.

Here is the mob scene that was Briar Rose. There was actually a right of way in this booth that I did not pick up on until it was too late and I was going against traffic. I escaped, thankfully, says my checking account.



We said hi to some large animals:







Browsed the award winning garments:



eyed a handspun football jersey...



Knitted on the world's biggest sock (well, we hope it's the biggest sock)







Saw an amazing sweater or two (or one hundred)



Watched a dog frisbee show...



Saw some cute babies...



Saw some cute displays...


(it's a pumpkin)



Saw some beautiful wheels...



Picked up Vilde's refurbished antique Norwegian wheel...



Saw Ysolda (and froze) at the Ravelry meet-up



Met Gudrun, Shetlander and designer extraordinaire...



Said hi to Mimi's adorable kiddos running the register at the NL booth...



Got these books signed by their authors:

Vintage Baby Knits and The New Stranded Colorwork

From TNSC



All in all, a great trip with friends. I am happy to be home with Gansey and my purchases.

Update from Rhinebeck, NY

After a ten hour drive in the rain, we arrived in Poughkeepsie, New York, around 10:30 last night. At 2:30 a.m. I woke up to Anna saying "someone is knocking on the door!" I said "no, no, it's just my dream...oh wait that IS knocking!" We went to the door to say "You have the wrong room!" I mean, seriously folks, check the room number of the hotel party.

Around 4:30 a.m. I was ready to get up and go buy yarn. I finally got back to sleep by counting sheep fleeces and at 7 a.m. we got up. At 9 a.m. after a horrendous hotel breakfast and a stop at Starbs, we arrived from the south, and drove literally right into the fairgrounds and a premium parking spot. Last year we came from the north and sat in miles of traffic, which helped because Shana and I needed some time to finish our sweaters.

We walked through about half of the barns, Vilde picked up her antique Norwegian spinning wheel from someone who repaired it, I got some purple yarn to make Wisteria, Vilde ran with the bulls to get a fleece at the fleece sale the second it opened, and Anna was along for the ride. Hopefully she will spend some money tomorrow.

I am so inspired among all of these spinners. The wheels are so beautiful!

Also we ate apple pie that was wonderful. Pumpkin soup, not so much. More updates to come and my blackberry doesn't have good internet service at the fair so I will update the blog tomorrow night!

On our way...

Mimi and fam left Cville last night for the promised land that is Rhinebeck. Anna, Vilde, and I leave soon in the subaru outback with lots of room for purchases. Gansey has a fun weekend lined up with her favorite babysitter and cousins. Will keep you updated throughout the weekend and the camera will be charged and ready for action. Knitters unite!

Prepping for Rhinebeck

As Mimi is backing loads of yarn into the van, those of us who are way more nuts are finishing up projects to wear to the fair grounds. It's such a funny phenomenon, but we literally race to finish sweaters and then model them at a place where we know they will be appreciated.

The Yarn Harlot (being the nerdy french major, I always pronounce this Harloe)just finished a handspun jacket. OMG.

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2009/10/13/things_finished.html

And now I race to try to finish another Drops pattern but adding long sleeves and might not have pockets.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/104-31-long-jacket-in-alaska-with-short-sleeves-and-cables

Thursday

Come see me on Thursday night from 5-8 p.m. Vilde, Anna, and I leave at 7:30 the next morning for Rhinebeck, NY to go to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. I can't believe I only have four more days to finish the cardigan I started last year from Rhinebeck yarn...

Better photos of...

Must Have





My favorite thing about these pictures, besides the beloved dogs and the sweater that probably took way too much of my time, is the shed/barn. Someday I'll live in the country, but for now, this will do.

Not everyone was at U2 last night...

A few of us were at the shop working on fall projects and listening to Kelly's seriously interesting bread making regimen. I didn't even know that one could grind one's own flour.



Here is Kelly's Summer in the City made out of Cotton Twist. Could it be more flattering? Here is the rav link

Marie had her newly finished hat, the Opus Spicatum





Louise had her new Veyla gloves. Gorgeous!





Awesome lady bug buttons!

It's officially fall, folks. Break out the scarves and knit up some new sweaters. Come see us this weekend!

We are open late tonight!

While the rest of the town is either at the U2 concert or hunkered down at home, the Needle Ladies will knit on. Come see us at the shop tonight. Open until 8 p.m. Finishing up the Must Have Cardi for its Rhinebeck debut.