Rhinebeck 2011 Report

I have Rhinebeck hangover! How can one come back to the everyday after experiencing so much yarn, color, stunning knits and fried foods?

My one regret is that I didn’t take enough photos. But here’s a sampling.

Since I wanted to avoid the crowds on Saturday, the hubster and I went up to the Rhinebeck area that afternoon. Relaxed in the hotel, ordered in dinner and then I knit in the lobby for several hours.

When I first went downstairs, I met two lovely knitters—a mother and daughter from Connecticut –who warmly welcomed me and told me the highs and lows of their day at the fairground.

People then began arriving back to the hotel and soon the lobby was full of knitters!



The Hitchhiker Scarf especially enjoyed the fireplace.



We got up early on Sunday and arrived at the fairground about a half hour before the gates opened.

This gave me time to admire the trees that are just beginning to turn.



I also gawked at some gorgeous knits.



And it's not surprising how some people spent their time waiting.



Gates opened and here's some of the sights.

Felted food art



The colors!



Look at that sweet face!



Stunning Orenburg shawls for sale



The wearer’s grandmother made this fun sweater.



I didn’t have any—but the idea of fried pickles is both intriguing and nauseating



Ann Hanson (carrying the green bag.) I wonder what yummy yarns she has in those bags?



Queen Bee Clara Parkes who was there to sign her wonderful new book.



OK, the main event. What did I buy? Not much. I didn't intend to buy any yarn. I was there more for the ambiance and the inspiration. But, some did follow me home.



Sanguine Gryphon Zaftig Bugga (No! I didn’t wait two hours in line.), a couple of Christmas ornaments, a needle case, a little bit of 3ply cashmere, fingerless gloves and a new old-fashioned knitting bag.



The hubster and I were on the road by early afternoon. Whew! I really zipped through those barns. But I feel I saw everything and am very pleased with my purchases. It was a wonderful, wonderful day! And I'm already looking forward to Rhinebeck 2012!

Another Snowy Day

Another snowy day here in NYC. However, this time, I won't see anybody skiing down the street.

(Photo was taken on 12/27--after the blizzard of 20 inches of snow.)


Today's snow was short-lived and we only had a dusting of about an inch and a half.



Carrying an umbrella in the snow--this is something I just don't get it! Never saw such a thing till I moved to NYC.

In the photo, you can also see piles of garbage on the sidewalk. Because of the blizzard, my block hasn't had a garbage pick-up since before Christmas. (The Sanitation trucks double as snow plows. When the workers plow, they don't pick-up the garbage.)

After getting chores done early this afternoon, it was then a good day to get caught up with some neglected knitting



That's Ann Hanson's Cabled Keyhole Scarf. Cute and quick. A lot like this snowfall.

A New Beginning

2010 is going to be the year of a sweater for me. Just one--my first.

Sometimes I think I need a knitting shrink to figure out why I have a sweater phobia because I've never, ever made one. I haven't even knit so much as a baby sweater. For the past couple of years, I've thought, "This is it--I'm doing it. I'm knitting a sweater."

But how many sweaters have you seen on this blog? Nada. Nothing. Zero. Calling Dr. Knitting Shrink!

However, at the Knitters Review Retreat, it all came together for me. I took a sweater class with Ann Hanson. Ann's skilled teaching gave me a huge boost of confidence. Plus I have my measurements and a load of tips for knitting a sweater.

And, sure enough, a pattern I've had my eye on--Jackie Leisure Jacket-- was for sale in the Retreat's marketplace. No excuses--"Oh, I'll buy and download it later." Suddenly I had the pattern in my hands.

One of the suggested yarns is Briar Rose's Fourth of July. Chris, of Briar Rose, was at the Retreat and, again, I had no excuse for talking with her right then and there and placing an order.

And that brings us to right now.





Look at me, I'm swaaaaaatching!