Either You Love Sheep or You're Wrong

Buttons worn by Beth Smith

It has been three years since I was able to make to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival.  It is still just like I remember it: frantic, crowded, over stimulating, and a vast amount of fun. Because the weather was mild, there was a lot of sweater spotting, and I am delighted by all the cables and colorwork on display. I also had the happy experience of seeing a version of a pattern I had written worn in the wild.

Here's a iPhone picture of Gretchen in her fresh Party Mix:

 

I couldn't be more proud if I had knit it myself! It felt like the best compliment when Gretchen said she was excited to be able to use her handspun for something. This is a dream come true for me, I tell you, to hear that. We should all be using our handspun all. the. time.

Meanwhile, Spirit Trail had the prettiest version of Skipperdee hung up in their booth, knit by Random Kelly.

and a lovely Hiro in blues as well:

There was so much to see and so many people to talk to. I kept stopping knitters and asking them to tell me about their sweaters. I saw a couple of really beautifully knit fair isles that made me catch my breath, and a few handspun beauties that doubled my resolve to come home and spin even more.

I also had my first chance to see a large scale display of Sincere Sheep yarn in the Carolina Homespun booth. It was a rare sight here on the East Coast (you lucky California/Oregon/Estes Park knitters!).

This stuff is luscious! As in organic, American-sourced, breed specific, naturally dyed luscious. I'll be working with this yarn for the next few weeks, and I will soon be able to show you what I have in mind. I also have a sweater in store for some Spirit Trail Holda yarn that I bought, and some incredibly pretty Corriedale fiber to spin from a new-to-me company Into the Whirled. I love their packaging as much as their colors. There is a QRR code on every label so you can link directly to a breed infomation page on their website for notes on spinning and knitting characteristics.

This is one of the best applications of a QRR label I've seen so far. Here's where the Polwarth link goes, for example.

Picture me knitting and spinning away in my sunny kitchen as winter arrives. I have much to keep me warm.

Comments

[Cambria Washington]

The one and only time I went to Rhinebeck, I met Gretchen in a drop spindle class, lol. She was a lot of fun and we've been stalking each other on Ravelry ever since. I saw her project page for her Party Mix, and it's cool to see the final result on your blog :)

[kim in oregon]

Must. Have. Button.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Sincere Sheep at a little yarn store in Whitefish Montana this summer. It is indeed special!

[Mary K. in Rockport]

Lovely blog today. How wonderful to see your very own designs out and about and in such an illustrious setting!
Every time I see Party Mix, I think "I want one of those," although it won't be made of hand spun because I don't spin. And my queue is soooooo long!

[carolyn]

I haven't been in a couple years either now and I miss it. Would've loved to be there and run into you. :)

[Liz]

I love your Afghani hat and would like to have a go at making it too, but cant get the pattern locally. Wonder if you have a copy you could email.

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