New York Sheep & Wool Festival (aka Rhinebeck)

  We went to check out the New York Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY, for our first time this weekend and it was amazing! Sheep, goats, llamas, alpaca, and yarn. So. Much. Yarn!

The festival is held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds and the fall colors were in full swing with a crispness in the air. The weather was perfect for everyone to wear their favorite hand knit sweaters and shawls; a Rhinebeck tradition. As I walked around, it became a game to name the patterns and yarns I saw on people: “ooh, a TinCanKnits Flax sweater in MadelineTosh; there’s a Stephen West Exploration Station; and she’s wearing Color Affection in Plucky!”

 We met up with friends, made some new friends and perhaps brought home a few skeins of yarn. (No, I did not bring home any baby goats this time.) My favorite new (to me) vendor was Kelsey Stephens at  Primrose Yarn Co. Her booth was busy and her yarns are amazing. This is where I ran into Stephen West shopping and was able to snap a picture of us. Notice he is towering above me at about 6’5”.

 Next year I’m planning ahead and snagging some of those coveted spots for workshops- like basket weaving and beginning wheel spinning. In the meantime, I’ll be working my way through my basket of beautiful new yarn and making a sweater for #Rhinebeck2017.

-Joanna Elsas

joanna@yarnsbydesignpa.com

TNNA Survey

TO: Needle Artists

SUBJECT: Complete national needlearts survey, gift certificate drawing



Please complete the triennial national Yarn, Stitching, and Weaving 2013 Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TNNAfiber.

The 10-minute survey asks about your experiences with the needlearts you enjoy: crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting, needlepoint, spinning, or weaving. Let us know which types of projects you prefer, how you like to learn, and what you’d like to see needlearts shops do better. The needlearts community needs your advice and opinions, whether you are a beginner or an expert! This survey is conducted every few years by The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA). Your input is very important and will be included in a published national report.

Your answers are anonymous. No one will use your survey responses to market to you.

In return for your participation, you will receive valuable benefits:
· Gain a chance to win one of five $100 needlearts gift certificates.
· Ensure stores, manufacturers, and other suppliers provide what you want.
· Explore your needlearts interests.

Your valuable input will also help the needlearts community:
· Give guilds, associations, community groups, and others guidance to grow the world of needlearts.
· Help independent retailers and family-owned suppliers succeed by giving them the customer feedback they need.

The survey is sponsored by TNNA, an organization of businesses dedicated to supporting the needlearts community. Hart Business Research is conducting this survey for TNNA and compiling the results into a major national report, The State of Specialty Needlearts 2013. Please complete the survey right away at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TNNAfiber. The survey closes April 30, 2013.

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