Rhinebeck or bust!

Rhinebeck or bust! Our wonderful customer, Jessica Lepak, made her way back to Rhinebeck this year! Since no YBDers were able to attend this year, she has graciously agreed to guest blog for us about her experience! Thank you, Jessica!

 Fall Leave, apple cider donuts, glorious handknits everywhere, livestock to see and much, much fiber to pet and buy.  That’s my Rhinebeck experience in a nutshell.

I usually try and go to Rhinebeck every other year, but the last few years my kids seemed young and life got hectic, so the date came and went.  This year however, I said was my year to go back, and boy did I ever!

I left Pittsburgh with my newly finished Throwback Sweater in my bag completely giddy to meetup with the designer Andrea Mowry.  What was she like in person you ask? She is just as sweet and sincere as you would expect her to be. My married-woman-mom-of-three-girl-crush on her just became even more embarrassing. I somehow managed to sputter, “May I get a photo with you” and was unable to make a coherent sentence back when she commented on how soft my sweater fabric was!  She is delightfully warm, and seems genuinely happy to be part of such an amazing community...ignore my ridiculous expression, I was so excited.

(my sweater by the way was knit out of Woolfolk FAR (colors 1, 4, 18 and 19) purchased at Yarns By Design, it was totally worth the splurge).   

The rest of saturday was perfect.  The weather was crisp and I spent the day cozy in my sweater walking from barn to barn finding so many lovely treasures, independent dyers, lots of smile and lots and lots of wool. By 3pm I had my fill of the crowds, and far too much fiber in my bag, so we retreated home just as the raindrops began to fall. The haul (and crowds!!) from day one:

O-Wool in their sport weight for a Maritime Pullover for my son and Worsted Weight Merino from Dirty Water Dyeworks for the Find My Way sweater for myself!

Sunday was a little blustery to say the least.  I felt like Eeyore worried that my house would fall down any minute if I lost my warm hat or spilled my hot (getting cold) cider.  I’ve never been more thankful of so many layers as the windchill made the air seem biting. I wore my newly finished Humulus and The Shift cowl, but sadly had to layer up with a hideous windbreaker. The temps and wind however didn’t keep my crew from spending the day at the fairgrounds.  We ate lots of falafel, watched some of the demonstrations and even spent some time with our beloved wooly friends.

While the morning was pretty chilly, the crowds were much more manageable, which I found made for a calmer shopping experience.  I browsed again from barn to barn and then participated in a stitch marker swap! This was a free signup on Ravelry for the first 50 people for each day.  Basically you came to Rhinebeck with 50 stitch markers and left the meetup with 50 stitch markers that others made and brought. It was such a fun idea. About 30 stitch markers in, I started to regret my decisions to make my markers, but in the end am glad I did.  It was fun to put my own stamp on my markers and then collect new ones from other knitters. This will be a fun keepsake from the weekend.

The haul from day two included some more yarn and then a few splurge purchases I’ve been eyeing for years.

The pink and yellow/green yarns, from Cozy Color Works, are to make a few hats. I simply could not decide on a color and really enjoyed talking to the dyer so decided both must go home with me.  I’m not sure what pattern I’ll use yet but this big furry Raccoon tail pompom will go on top. The natural fingering weight is from Twist of Fate Spinnery and will be used to make a Arrows Down Cardigan for myself.  I’m really excited about this one, it actually wasn’t on my list but I spotted another shopper wearing one and knew I needed to add it to my list!

...what were the random splurge items you ask? How could I leave Rhinebeck without a pelt for my couch and some lovely wooden tools to stash away for holiday presents?

In the end, Rhinebeck for me is always just as much a shopping excursion as it is a time to reconnect with old friends, make some new, and enjoy being surrounded by ‘my people’ who don’t roll their eyes at my stash, who are completely smitten with the same craft as I am and are proud to show off their talents. I left Rhinebeck with a refreshed mindset, full heart, and a very, very stuffed suitcase.  Until next time!