We’re back from our annual sojourn to Rhinebeck and it was a great experience!
The colors were more muted than in years past, maybe because of the continuing fluctuation between unseasonably warm and cold days.
At one point, the weather turned especially blustery and the storm clouds that had threatened the fairgrounds all day finally let go with a brief, 10 minute shower that sent everyone scurrying for the barns!
Despite the wind and morning chill, we were still game to hit the festival (all of us), see the wide variety of animals (all of us), meet up with friends and purchase some new yarn (me), eat a lamb burger (Andrew), eat anything in sight (Nina), and check out the toy tractors (Jackson, of course!)
My Rhinebeck “haul” was not expansive, similar to years past. For me, it’s more about the experience of being at the festival and getting to touch base with fellow designers and the folks who make and sell all kinds of exciting yarns. I did come away with a few goodies, including:
a lovely copy of the new book, Faerie Knitting, which contains fairy stories written by the novelist Alice Hoffman and knitting patterns designed by Alice’s cousin, and my friend, Lisa Hoffman. Lisa was kind enough to dedicate the copy to Nina and a future filled with fairy tales!
I also picked up sweater/blanket/large quantities of two different yarns from Foxhill Farms. You may remember from my last post the cormo cross yarn from Foxhill Farm that I purchased at Rhinebeck years ago and used to design and knit Oliver’s Blanket. Their booth did not disappoint this year either, as it was filled with so many goodies. Different yarns from different breeds, in a variety of natural (undyed) colors and weights. I came away with some dk-weight yarn spun from Moorit sheep in a delicate light brown:
and some worsted-weight yarn spun from Romney sheep in a difficult-to-photograph brown/grey. The skeins of this Romney yarn, which was a new offering for Foxhill Farm, feel so light and airy that I will enjoy seeing how the finished fabric works up.
My other favorite purchases were from a local maple syrup purveyor, and we came away with some great treats to try. I can confirm that the maple candy was universally popular 😉
Not surprisingly, attending the festival with two young children is an entirely different experience to my solo trips in years past, immersed in every barn, booth after booth, three deep with other knitters/shoppers. But being able to bring and include the children has brought a whole new dimension of fun (and fatigue!) to the trip. When all is said and done, it is their excitement at seeing and doing new things that makes Rhinebeck special.
(they really are best friends)
Happy knitting, all!
xoxo Danielle
daniellechalson.com 