Hauling Rhinebeck Yarn

I've reached the time of year that I sit and stare at my yarn and plan what I will be doing with it. Socks, there will most certainly be many socks. I love having pictures of my yarn to look back on. In my case it is true, becoming a knitter has made me appreciate all the colors more. 

You'll notice that I have found a new function for my tea service tower. Normally you would bake tempting treats, plate them and display them with your lovely three tiered tower. I'm gonna display my yarn goodies there for a bit. It also makes carrying everything outside easier.

Remember a few years ago I discovered Wild Apple Farm's yarn? I even made my first Rhinebeck sweater out of it. I was lost when they stopped coming to Rhinebeck a few years ago. Wait a minute was this my 9th trip to Rhinebeck? Yikes! Think of all the wool I've found.

Back to sweater yarn, I found out that Bartlett Yarns was actually making my sweater yarn. So I bought a new sweater, assembly is still required but that is half of the fun.  I'm thinking of a sweater from A Fine Fleece.

They had a lovely dark gray that I still wish I had bought, but the lighter gray will be able to show off the cables better. And let's be honest I will probably get the dark gray next year, hopefully while wearing this year's light gray.

Buttons! I guess I can no longer hide it I am a button person. Top one says "either you love SHEEP or you're wrong." Bottom is pretty clear, "A life without yarn is no life at all." I also found one for a yarnie friend of mine but I'm going to keep it secret for a little while. 

Seriously, how does a woman who professed to hate yellow and orange, buy this kind of yarn?

Or this?

Now this one I get, I could claim it is mostly blue. 

 I forgot to take a picture of them all out laying on the ground together. I took individual pictures to post the yarns into my stash on Ravelry. I bought more than three skeins. I believe I bought enough yarn to keep me busy for a while. Since I tend to buy my yarn at festivals or Portland Oregon it is important to make sure you have enough to tide you through the coming year(s).

I did take another picture once I had packed it all back up. That whole top shelf is my Rhinebeck yarn. Yeah, if yarn makes you happy...I've got an excellent year in front of me.

For the Record

Dragonfly Djinni Sock "Aurora Borealis"

Dragonfly Dragon Sock "Hudson River Valley"

Dragonfly Traveler "Starry Night" (I love this colorway so much I bought it again in a different weight. I was thinking of making the Honey Cowl again.)

Blue Moon Fiber STR lightweight "Free Range Chickens"

Blue Moon Fiber STR mediumweight "Farmhouse"

These two are remarkably similar. I've been in love with Farmhouse for a while and who can turn down a colorway with chickens in it.

Shelridge Soft Touch Heather "Bronze"

Shelridge Soft Touch Heather "Gunmetal"

D already has a pair of Gunmetal socks but it is such a good color and yarn that I may just delegate it as a repair yarn, we'll see.

Peace Love and Yarn Kestrel "Sunflower"

This is a new yarn to me and totally out of my color comfort zone, but I totally had to have it. It will be interesting what it knits up as.

Lisa Sousa Hard Twist Merino Petite "Awwe-tum"

Again out of my old color habits but so beautiful. They also had a sock yarn base but I thought the hard twist might be better for socks, now I am not so sure. I checked on Ravelry and people have made socks from this yarn, another we'll see.

Fiber Optic Yarns Foot Note "Prisim Break"

Catkin Pattern, I finally broke down and bought it. Now I just need to figure out what color combo.

I remember finding their booth one year and easily buying yarn the next few years it was not so easy. I am happy they are so popular, but am glad I can get in the booth now. I can not say the same of Miss Babs.

Bartlett Yarns 2-ply Aran weight 9 skeins

Hopefully to make a cabled sweater from A Fine Fleece.

Three funny buttons at Bitsy Knits. I should have bought more but there is always next year.

Carolina Homespun Knitter's Dreamz needles 2.25 cubic needles and fixed 32" US 9 circular. I had a lovely chat with a lady. She even asked me if I had used the cubic needles and liked them. 

Gary's Pickles 1 quart spicy and 1 quart sour. (Spicy is much better!) These were a D find last year. I promised to get some if they were there again. When I texted him the choices, he texted back: Yes. So I got both. 

Two bottles of wine from Crooked Creek. Cab Franc and Riesling. Yeah I am complicated that way, I like complex red wine and sweet white.

So in summary I took my time this year and went through most of the barns several times. I remembered to eat before I got angry and to drink too. I tend to let myself get dehydrated. I hit all three restrooms too. The lines were long but moved quickly. I made one stop off to empty my bag at the car. It was nice to lighten up and sit quietly.

This year I concentrated on being in the moment and not getting overwhelmed. It is so easy to let the crowds get to you. 

Ahhh Rhinebeck and other things

I've been dreading and anticipating this weekend for months now. Because of my new volunteer position at church I've been getting my fill of people and things to do that are not knitting. My little introverted soul is ravaged. I'm listening to The Martian and thinking other than the possible starving to death, being the only person somewhere sounds ideal.

OK maybe not ideal but I may need to admit that I could use a break from people. Good thing I have some trusty feline companions to snuggle in with and a very understanding husband.

Back to the great and the good of this weekend. First up it was Rhinebeck weekend, NY Sheep and Wool Festival. Huge crowds but lovely wool to tempt you. I think I spotted a cousin to one of my favorite CrazySheepLady's sheep.

Anybody else see Ewen McTeagle in this fine Shropshire Sheep? Go ahead and try to say that five times fast. Shropshire Sheep.

I had my now traditional falafel lunch. Still as tasty as the first time.

The trees were not at their best this year but I managed to look up and capture this one in a lovely moment.

 This little guy almost grabbed me from the pen. Once she got my attention we started off with a double cheek rub and chat.

Then because I successfully negotiated a photo shoot. We switched to one handed rubbing with eyes closed. I offered to take her home but said she would have to share the bed with my boys. Then I realized Gus would probably make her his bed. I regetfully said goodbye and went off to but more yarn to help with my loss.

Back at home I gleefully unpacked my new yarn. 

Whew I just passed my Jack inspection.

Dad thought Jack needed more of an all-in approach to his technique.

Gus said "Wake me for dinnertime. It is exhausting looking at your yarn."

I worked very hard on enjoying myself and having a good attitude. The crowd is so overwhelming. I found a few more treasures on second and third trips through the barns. Rhinebeck only comes once a year I may as well enjoy it for as long as I stay sane. 

I even got my first ever Yarn Harlot in the wild sighting. She was wearing her Fox Paws scarf when she walked right by me.

On Sunday we had a big project for me with a short time to do it in. I had been dreading this day for months. I am very pleased to say it went well and was not as bad as I had imagined. It is funny how things can overtake your life and make you stressed. 

Now if you will excuse me I have some new yarn to gaze at...

Cake!

No it is not yarn cake this time but honest to goodness Birthday Cake, decorated and everything!

D put in an order at a local bakery for my birthday. What? I did not want to assume that you all could work it out from that very pretty writing above.

He even had them decorate with a couple of my favorite things. Gus says he resents being called a "thing." And that image captures none of his silky fur element.

 I like to look at the shadows on this one. It gives you an idea of the texture of the icing.

We enjoyed birthday cake for several nights. I'm considering going back for D's birthday too since we enjoyed it so much. But how should I have them decorate it for him? Hmm...