Monday, October 22, 2012

New York Sheep and Wool

Last weekend was the venerable Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Festival. Otherwise know as Rhinebeck. I didn't make it this year. It's been kind of painful to hear all the wonderful stories over the past couple of weeks.

There's been the inevitable drama of finishing sweaters on time. It's clearly impossible to go to Rhinebeck without a "Rhinebeck Sweater". This is deadline knitting at its finest, perhaps only rivaled by Christmas knitting. Rumor has it that many a RS is blocked in the hotel on Friday night with the knitter fervently praying that the drying gods work in their favor.

Then there are the cider donuts. Apparently the cider donuts alone are worth the pilgrimage. Thanks to Clara Parkes of Knitter's Review for this lovely image. I'm sure her newsletter on Thursday will chock full of great photos.



I'm sure there were lots of sheep.


Probably an alpaca or two.


I'm going to let you in on a dirty little secret. I've never been to Rhinebeck. Or Maryland. I know. Gasp, right? I've decided that I'm going to rectify that in 2013. I've been cruising around the MDSW's website and it looks like 2013 is their 40th anniversary. That's reason enough for me to commit to it. I wonder if it makes sense to do both.

What about you? What's your favorite fiber fest? Is there one that is not-to-be-missed?

And just in case you were worried that I spent the weekend feeling sorry for myself, let me ease your mind. I took a chocolate class over the weekend. We made truffles and mendiants and all sort of goodies.




Anybody want to trade yarn for candy?


8 comments:

Stefanie said...

You are so cute! I love it that you took a chocolate class! They came out beautifully. You go!

monica said...

I have never been to Rhinebeck and Maryland either and want to remedy that next year too! I hope we are both successful.:)

Enid said...

I just got back from Rhinebeck, it was lots of fun. I've also been to Maryland. Both are worth going to, but I like Rhinebeck better. I'm actually heading to the Ann Arbor Yarn Festival this weekend since I somehow didn't buy enough yarn this past weekend.

Araignee said...

Being from Maryland, of course I will sing the praises of MDSW but trying to compare it to Rhinebeck is like comparing apples and oranges. Both are crowded. Both pretty much share the same "big" vendors but the vibes are different. MD is watch where you step messy and farm-like while Rhinebeck is posher and refined-a vintage shopping mall of wool. We have outhouses, they have powder room attendants. We have snowcones and they have maple cotton candy. If you want to flop on the ground in the heat and join an enormous knit-in then come to MD. If you want to shop til you drop elbow to elbow in a crisp autumnal setting then go to Rhinebeck. Either way, you can't lose!

Gracey is not my name.... said...

Rhinebeck is so full of awesomeness (I made two posts about it on Saturday and Sunday). It is my favorite, it is just a great crisp autumn experience (even when it rains, or is 70 degrees, which it was on Saturday) It is a fashion show of fibery goods....I've attended almost all of them in New England...in fact the New England Fiber Festival is coming up in 2 weeks...this is a newer show (3rd year) and getting better every year!

Manon C. said...

I am definitely going to Rhinebeck next year. Never been either and it looks not only beautiful at this time of the year, but being surrounded by yarn... what more can one ask for?

Judith said...

Being as you are in Chicago, you should come up for the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool festival. It is in Jefferson,WI and the next one will be Sept. 6-8, 2013.http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com

quiltyknitwit said...

Because I'm on the other side of the country, my friends & I enjoy Stitches West!