Monday, October 21, 2013

Rhinebeck Perfection

The New York Sheep & Wool Festival...better known to knitters simply as Rhinebeck, was this past weekend. We all wanted to go but when we looked at the possibility, it seemed slim.
Kids, life, sports, work, etc looked as though it was stopping us from enjoying a trip
up to the festival. We moped around...sad and depressed. 

Then on Friday night, we made a last ditch effort and figured it out.

So with some kids in tow, missing Lizzie :(, Andee, Brady, Shea, my mom, Chase and I packed into Andee's car early Sunday morning and took the drive up to knitters heaven.

Here are the pictures to prove what an amazing day it was. I'm so glad we figured it out and made it up there. The weather was picture perfect. The trees were amazing. The animals made Chase's day.

 We made it!
 Waiting in line to get in. A very nice lady gave us each a coupon. :) Knitters are nice people.


Kids immediately wanted to see the alpacas. Shocker.

Yarn. Oh the yarn....everywhere you look.



Chase broke out in his "Phoebe from Friends" run when he heard the sheep!
This kids loves sheep.





Taking the boys made me slow down at this festival. No mad dashes to yarn tents, just a nice slow pace, enjoying the sights, events and sometimes a really good puddle jump.

 We met a nice rescue border collie.

One of the main reasons that I wanted to make it to the festival this year is because my artwork was chosen as a finalist for the 2015 cover contest. People were able to vote on them. Mine is the top right #4. I don't know if people could see it was sheep. Just looked like pretty colored things from afar. Fingers are crossed....we'll see! It gave me a thrill to see it up there.



A magician shrunk our kids :) Chase and Shea were so confused.

Besides seeing my artwork, this was my biggest thrill of the day. Many authors of popular knitting books were there for author meet and greets and book signings. I love Fair Isle. I taught myself and don't do it very often, but I love the chance to use so many colors and create designs that are unique.
I read that Mary Jane Mucklestone would be there so I brought along my copy of Fair Isle Motifs for her to sign. I also purchased another book of hers. She was so nice and it made my day. I will treasure these books and I can't wait to learn more and create new designs.

The hat you see here is what she was working on at her table. Very cool.


Another favorite thing (ok...so I had a lot of favorite things. It was a good day, what can I say?)
The Leaping Llama contest!!!!! So funny! Llamas and alpacas had to jump over a pole that was raised. Think of limbo in reverse. Who know a llama could jump so high? The alpacas weren't the best...but we really enjoyed watching. Next time we'll have to get there earlier so we can sit in the stands instead of looking like peeping toms through the fence.





I liked this team's shirts in the contest... "The Spitters"



 
A little zoo was set up for the kids. Chase posed by this wooden kangaroo and made me take his picture. This kid is something else...




I couldn't get over how much there was for the kids. And they were so good.
Well, Chase had a few moments, but he's 2. So I guess that is to be expected.


Lots of hill running

 Gorgeous. No other words.

Another fun thing....the blogging world connects!!!!
My sister Andee and I follow "The Crazy Sheep Lady" Blog
She drove up from Kentucky with her husband and her big stuffed sheep "20". 
Sara "the crazy sheep lady" contacted Andee and we met up.
It was a pleasure meeting her in person.



Then Chase got a little tired....the busy walkway seemed like a good resting spot.



The zoo was fun. Chase is a turtle fan, so this kept him happy.

 Not too sure of that kid's entire face painted like a tiger.

I admired so many hand knits. Anyone know what this pattern is????? I love it. 
The great thing about the fall festivals is that it's cool enough to show off your knits.


 MomMom and some of her little boys :)
 Lots of leaf playing.

An attempt to get a picture of me and Chase.....


 Another sweater I was stalking. 

 Dog frisbee throwing and catching!!! Another hit with the kids and the adults.



Mental note for next time....follow the yellow line if you have to pee.

A scene that is not strange at a yarn festival. 
Caught this woman knitting while she waited for her food.


End of the day....time for cider and donuts. 




 Apple cider donut sugar lips :)

I didn't go for yarn...BUT I HAD to buy some.
Picked up these four skeins of wool at a cute booth. 
I plan to use them for a fair isle project out of my new book.


Aunt Andee and Chase


And then we fell in love with a llama. Previous to this day I feared llamas. 
But this gentle giant changed my mind. He was very cool.




A day never to be forgotten.

Thank you Rhinebeck. We'll be back.

Next time, with a cute hotel room and wine :)


9 comments:

  1. You got so many wonderful pictures! I want to go for the whole weekend next year!

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  2. Contacted a shop owner where I have seen that pattern. If you don't find out before I do I will forward the info. Love your photos!!!

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  3. I think the pattern for the shawl is called Stole. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stole-7 It is beautiful!

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  4. oh wow leanne! love all the photos, i've never been to a fiber festival, and especially want to go to rhinebeck! i'm going to try for next year!

    love all yours and andees little boys, chase makes me laugh he is so adorable. i'm crossing my fingers for your art, SO exciting! it looks first place to me!
    and mjm, so cool. i bought fair isle style the moment it came out, LOVE so many of the patterns in it. i can't wait to see what you make first. i'm trying to decide here...
    such a fun post, thank you so much for sharing!

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    1. Lori, you have to go next year and then we HAVE to meet!!!!! I see wine and knitting in our future. We are hoping to book far enough in advance for next year and get a cute hotel in town. I am signing up for a 6 hr fair isle class with MaryJane Mucklestone at Vogue Live in January. So exciting.

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  5. I love that Chase runs like Phoebe; Libby does too! I also love that sweater you were stalking. How about you make for for me...in maternity. That'd be great. K, thanks!

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  6. That is a really awesome post about Rhinebeck...I love reading Rhinebeck posts to see what I may have missed....I missed your little boy...what exuberance and love for life he has....just wonderful....I saw pictures of the Burgis Brook alpacas in the pole jumping contest...

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    1. You summed up my little guy perfectly!!!! He is a character and certainly does love life :)

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  7. Thanks for taking us along to Rhinebeck, even after the fact! What fun to tag along with you and Andee and the boys. The pictures were great and it looks like a lovely day!

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