If you go to The New York Sheep & Wool Festival, otherwise known as Rhinebeck, than you know there's a "thing" about the Rhinebeck sweater. Knitters knit all year on that one special sweater to wear proudly at the festival. There's even a # on instagram with over 3,000 sweaters! It's a chance to show off your skills and get inspired by everyone around you. It's even ok to run up to someone, touch their sweater, ooh and ahh and ask what the pattern is. It's also ok to stalk people, take their picture, drool (well, not actually drool on because that would be rude) but drool over other's beautiful knits and talent. For non-sweater knitters, shawls of every shape and size will be worn proudly. Hats and scarves, gloves and fingerless are also seen everywhere.
This year, I fell in love with a sweater at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival back in May.
It was at the Bare Naked Wool booth. The sweater was the Illas Cies pattern by Anne Hanson.
The yarn at their booth was so beautiful but out of my price range for a whole sweater.
So I sadly walked away from their booth and a last ditch effort to find affordable yarn led me to the fabulous Miss Babs. I found 2 skeins of her Yowza in a beautiful gray called, Oyster.
I knew it was perfect. Yes, I would have loved the natural wool from Bare Naked Wool, but like I said, too $$$ at the time.
I casted on and went to work. With Rhinebeck as my deadline, I knitted away here and there throughout the summer months. It was a hard pattern because the lace was on both sides. You never got a row off. Lace knitters know what I'm saying. I mean, you kind of need that one row off....you know? It wasn't a sweater I could knit on the go. It was a sit down, in the living room and concentrate kind of sweater. The pieces were coming together and I knew that I could do it.
So, with two days to spare, it's done. It's DONE! My "Rhinebeck Sweater" this year is the Illas Cies sweater. It began at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival and is coming to life at Rhinebeck.
If you're going to Rhinebeck say hi!!!!!! Can't wait to see all my buddies and enjoy the happiest weekend of the knitting year.
Ravelry notes: Illas Cies
oooooh leanne, it came together beautifully!!! it is the perfect sweater for rhinebeck and i hope it doesn't get cold and you have to wear something over it ;)
ReplyDeleteif it get's cold, i would just freeze if i were you, you need to make sure to show that baby off. i LOVE the last picture of you, have fun, and bring me with you in your heart!!!
You know how much I wish you could be there with us!!!! I know it's too much walking for you. But boy oh boy, we would have loved to have you. Thank you for the compliments on the sweater. I hope it won't be chilly too! I might have to bring a vest. At least the lace arms will show!
Deleteyour sweater is beautiful and so are you:) I love the sleeve detail :)
ReplyDeleteSo kind! Thank you. I almost skipped the sleeve detail because I was afraid I wouldn't finish in time. And now I'm so glad I did the lace. It was worth it.
DeleteStunning! Love the yarn you chose, too. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Deletewow, what a beautiful sweater -- great work! (came here via Andi My Sisters Knitter)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was a lot of work and TOTALLY worth every stitch!
DeleteAmazing sweater!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful knitting! Enjoy ~
ReplyDeleteThank you!
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