Rhinebeck Review - aka New York State Sheep & Wool Festival

At long last, I had the opportunity to visit the famed New York State Sheep & Wool Festival (commonly referred to as "Rhinebeck" because of it's location), as the first part of our vacation this year.  

Having read endless raves and reviews of past years' shows, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect - barns full of magnificent yarn, fiber and knitting and spinning supplies, fleece and fiber-animal competitions, workshops, people, food, food and more food, and lots of fun. On every item, Rhinebeck fulfilled those expectations, but I had some reservations as well. 

We arrived about 30 minutes prior to the show opening on Saturday, and had plenty of good parking choices near a secondary gate. After sitting in the car knitting for a while, we purchased wristbands for entry - $17 for a two-day pass - and joined the growing queue.

 

The fairgrounds where the show is held are clean, beautifully landscaped and easy to navigate.

The autumn trees are lovely and there are food opportunities everywhere from the giant building full of food and wine vendors

to local 4-H kids raising funds, to fair-type food like cotton candy.

A fun part of the show for me was meeting up with my knitting friends Lynn, shown here in the Brooks Farm booth,

and Andrea, a workshop teacher at this year's event.

I kept a sharp eye on Ravelry badges, hoping to see names from my friends list, but was disappointed to not find any Rav friends. However, in the photo below are a few Ravelry designer faces (and backsides), including Ysolda Teague, Stephen West and others.

Muddy fields and parking lots, hard pavement and changing weather conditions mean comfortable shoes and layered clothing are a must.

Of course, knits were everywhere to be seen and a favorite part of the experience for me was admiring all the hard work displayed by thousands of knitters.

The only unpleasant part of the show for me was from about 12-2 PM on Saturday, when the buildings became so crowded that you were literally pushed along with a solid mass of people. Stopping to look or enter a booth was difficult, and I was concerned for mobility-challenged folks with walkers, and for  those pushing baby strollers.

Lines to have knitting books signed by the author were long, with one of the longest being to meet Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka the Yarn Harlot.

This photo was taken on Sunday when things were much calmer.

Of course for knitters, the fiber and yarn were the stars of the show and there was something there to tempt every taste. I especially loved selections from Briar Rose (always a favorite),

 
Spirit Trail Fiberworks, and The Sanguine Gryphon

It seems I'm also smitten with this skein of gray Miss Babs Yummy Sock yarn - what a surprise...

There are other interesting things to peruse in addition to fiber, like jewelry, baskets and farmer's market apples.

  
A pumpkin-carving expert displayed some creative items.

I saved the animals for Sunday so I could really take my time to enjoy interacting with them. A large part of the show is centered around fiber animal competitions and there were plentiful opportunities to touch the animals,

learn about them,

 
watch them being prepared for showing,

and competing with their handlers.

 
This little goat was so friendly and sweet.

My husband and I had a wonderful time and I look forward to visiting again sometime. Although it was a terrific show, for me it is not a yearly 'must-do' event, as there are so many other great fiber events held around the US that I'd like to visit. But Rhinebeck is certainly one I will keep on my list.

FO - Shawlette & Malabrigo Sock Yarn Review

Although I love to make up my own knitting projects, while on vacation I like to take along projects designed by other people to give myself a break from always working out something for myself.  

On my recent trip to New Mexico, I took several of those projects I'd been wanting to knit, including a mini shawl by designer Ysolda Teague called Ishbel.

It seems like everyone and their sister has knit this except me, so after perusing my stash for yarn possibilities, I selected Malabrigo Sock in colorway Solis, stuffed it into my travel tote and cast on practically the second my rear end hit the airport waiting lounge seat for the first flight.

I wanted something interesting enough to keep my attention, and not so complicated that I couldn't put it down and pick it up easily.  That is exactly what I got with Ishbel.  

Normally, I might or might not choose sock yarn for a shawl, depending on the yarn in question.  This is only because sock yarn is usually spun for durability, often with added nylon and sometimes extra twist, which is perfect for socks but doesn't always translate to great softness and drape desirable for a shawl.

However, after seeing so many successful shawl projects in this yarn on Ravelry, I decided to give it a try, and I'm glad I did.    

I knit the stockinette portion on size US 7/ 4.5 mm, and the lace on size US 8/ 5 mm Knitpicks Options metal needles.  

Malabrigo Sock was nice to knit with - not too scratchy, not too soft - and not splitty.  It has a fair amount of stretch, good drape and softness on the neck.  I encountered no knots, and only one or two tiny white/ undyed spots in the skein that were so nominal I left them in.

The yarn held it's dye very well in a Eucalan soak, and the stitches opened up nicely with blocking.  

I have not knit socks with this yarn, but I would not hesitate to try it for that or for any number of projects, including the flowing, fine-gauge cardigans so popular these days.  

Affordably priced and in beautiful, hand-dyed colors, Malabrigo Sock yarn seems like a real bargain, and paired with a nice pattern like Ishbel, a great project!

Knitting in Santa Fe

Knitting while in New Mexico was a very natural thing, given that there are oodles of fiber shopping opportunities, not to mention loads of inspiration.  

 

Santa Fe, the oldest capitol in the US, has long been reknowned as an artist's mecca.  The gorgeous scenery and natural beauty inspire at every turn in the road, and the well-maintained historic buildings ooze rustic beauty.  

 We got up VERY early one morning in order to get some photos without the crowds. 

Constructed in the early 1600's, the Palace of the Governors is the oldest continually inhabited public building in the United States.  Native American artists, many of them Navajo, set out their blankets on the ground to sell their beautiful silver jewelry.

We enjoyed our stay in this city!  The galleries, shops and museums are rich with inspiration and history.  But as quaint as the main square area in town is, it was extremely refreshing to check out some of the lesser-known parts of town to stop in at several fantastic yarn shops doing business off the beaten path.  

One shop we visited was Oodles Yarn & Bead Gallery on Water St. 

The tiny shop boasted beautifully hand-dyed yarns by local artists (see the photo at the top of this post) as well as some more common labels, and a nice selection of gemstone and glass beads.  

 

The log-beamed ceilings, woven rug hangings, wrought iron chandelier and kiva ladder displays gave off that characteristic southwest charm. 

Another wonderful discovery (right next door to our bed and breakfast accommodations, The Inn on the Paseo), was the Santa Fe School of Weaving and Miriam's Well yarn shop.  

From the unassuming upper level street view, you might not expect much, but enter the gateway to the left of the photo, walk down a flight of stone steps beneath a shaded arbor 

 and turn the corner through a lush, flowering courtyard and you are transported to a place of beauty and creativity.  

 Owner Miriam Leth-Espensen is a transplanted Dane, by way of Vermont, who has developed this location as a school for weaving, knitting and all manner of fiber arts.  She is a prolific designer, offering her patterns for use with purchase of yarn from her shop, along with interesting anecdotes about her designs and their history.  

I came away with this cranberry-hued skein of Obi from The Great Adirondack Yarn Co.  

The hundreds of garments on display (all made by Miriam) are a riotous jumble of gorgeous color and texture. 

Miriam was a delightful lady, and I enjoyed meeting her and discovering a kindred creative free spirit. 

While on this part of the trip I managed to crank out several hats, including this simple little slouch hat modeled by my sister.

The stitch is a super easy one - I don't like to think too hard while I'm on vacation, LOL!  The yarn I used is Knitpick's Cadena, a blend of wool and alpaca, in colorway Seraphim.  

 

I really loved using this yarn for it's springy twist, nice drape and cushiony feel, but it is very heavy.  It was nice for a slouchy hat and I can't wait to try it for another garment, but probably not a heavy coat or jacket.

That's it for Santa Fe, coming soon... Taos and The Wool Festival at Taos! 

And around here it's pure splendor.  The trees, they are a-turnin'...

 

Enjoy Autumn's glories!