Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Rhinebeck 2010

This was my 4th year going to Rhinebeck (NYS Sheep and Wool Festival) and it seems to be more fun every year. I got up at 4am and met up with my friends, Rebecca and Tomo, to share a car service to Park Slope, Brooklyn to board a bus. It was chilly, but I was so thankful for clear skies. It had been threatening to rain and I was not looking forward to walking around a outdoor festival in the rain. The ride up was beautiful and you could see the beautiful colors of Autumn.
We arrived promptly at 8:55 am and the festival opens at 9am. I was on the 1st bus and arrived a bit earlier than the 2nd bus. Can you spot Rebecca and Tomo waiting to get in the entrance?
Tomo is the one on the left shivering from the chilly breeze. Rebecca, on the right, was dressed in perfect layers.
As soon as we got in, I made a beeline for Brooks Farm. Rebecca and I made our first purchases there. We were in and out and avoided any of the crowds that would soon envelop the booth. They are a very popular vendor, so I always make that my first stop.Look at the amazing colors from nature. The Sheep and Wool Festival is such a perfect Fall activity. It wasn't all yarn shopping. I met many people there that day. People I know in real life and people from Ravelry and blogland. It was a lot of hugging and introductions through out the day. It was especially fun to spot people we have only seen online. Rebecca and I got to meet up with Craftivore! Rebecca has met her before, but this was my first time meeting her. She won a book from my blog contest and I got to hand her the prize in person. Yes, I look like a hobbit standing next to these 2.For lunch, I knew that I would be getting the Chicken Pot Pie. It's the perfect meal for the Fall weather. The line wasn't too bad, but I knew to get in line early. They always sell out every year. Once we all refueled, we ready to see the animals and the rest of the festival.Interesting sheep, no? It gave us a good laugh while we snapped away with our cameras.There was also sheep shearing. I think Melody would have loved seeing all the animals. DH said that maybe next year we could all go and make it a family event.
For my second LaReine shawl, I had knit the shawl with Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors Sock Yarn. Karin saw it on Ravelry and asked me to stop by her booth if I got a chance. Here I am wearing it and that is Karin on the right. The color is called Avocado and it's an awesome variegated green. Karin is an amazing dyer and I am in love with her Watercolors line. She gifted me 3 skeins of a Cranberry Red for my future designs. Thank you so much, Karin. I am currently swatching with it and it's knitting up beautifully. This was my Rhinebeck haul. It is not as much as I normally would buy. Don't laugh. This is the smallest amount I have bought in the last 4 years. I can't wait to start knitting with it. I think over the years, I have become more selective about what yarns I want to buy from the festival. As you can see, I did not buy any fiber this year. I have plenty at home and nothing called out to me this year.

12 comments:

Sue said...

What a wonderful day you had meeting all those people and seeing all that gorgeous yarn. I love the colors you purchased too and I cant wait to see what design you come up with.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

That looks to me like a perfect place to feed your passion. How neat to meet people you've only known from your blog and theirs. You really make me wish I could knit. Maybe one of these days I'll take a class.

CelticCastOn said...

Looks like soo much fun, I hope to get there some day!
Great haul, can't wait to see what you design with it.

opportunityknits said...

You're a seasoned rhinebecker! :)
Love the colours in your haul. Whatever they turn into, they're going to look beautiful! Can't wait to see what you'll make them into!!

Maya said...

looks like you had a wonderful time! I would love to be able to attend rhinebeck - one day!
the yarn you got looks promising too : )

Jennie said...

Looks like you had a great time :)
Love all the yarn you bought at the festival, beautiful colours!

Hannah said...

What a fun festival, and I'm seriously jealous of that haul you brought back! I could really use some knitting inspiration in the form of new yarn...

judy said...

Wow, thanks for sharing the great photos of Rhinebeck. I have never been and would love to go one year....

Natalie said...

I've always wanted to go to the Rhinebeck festival! I'm glad I get to live vicariously through your blog! The yarn looks divine!

hetty said...

What a fun day! Your haul looks amazing. Can't wait to see some of that stuff turned into your beautiful creations.

craftivore said...

I was so glad to finally meet you and get my super-lucky-winner blog prize too! Thank you. I've been looking at all the photos in the book and yours are definitely standouts. You got a great haul o yarn.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry I missed this year! You all look like you had so much fun. I am very impressed with your buying restraint ;o)