It's taken me a long time to get to this post. I think because I'm still a little overwhelmed by the Rhinebeck weekend. We wait so long for these festivals, and then they go by so unbelievably quickly. I had a great time, and I'm still a little exhausted!
Jessica and I arrived at the festival at 8:10 on Saturday morning. We were shooting for 8:30, but I think we were a little excited and got ready a little faster than normal. This allowed me to take two quite rare pictures: an empty parking lot, and an empty (and completely stocked) booth at The Fold.
The first people we ran into were Jody, Christy, and Heather. Jessica ran over to The Little Barn for some fiber (and there was a Rhinebeck miracle), and then I headed back to Building A to see if Brooks Farm had opened up yet. I was hoping to find some more of the red Solana I had found at Maryland, but there wasn't anything close. I did pick up some Solana in a really pretty purple.
We ran into Ann, who I had never met before, and I'm so glad that we did. By lunch, Ann and I were sharing food (deep fried artichokes, yum!) and I had a great time talking with her throughout the day.
I also picked up some sock yarn in Building A. It's a great blend of merino and nylon, and the colors will be great for some stranded colorwork at some point. This is Aussi Sock Yarn, and it was only $13 for a 400 yard skein!
From there, we went to Briar Rose Fibers, another one at the top of my list. I found a sportweight yarn in colors that were very me. The very helpful lady at the booth was worried that 1600 yards wouldn't be enough for a sweater, so she suggested I get a smaller skein to go along with it. I'm thinking of a yoked sweater with the brown striped in at the yoke and sleeves.
From there, we walked through the rest of the booths. I kept a list of all the booths I would like to re-visit, which turned out to be very helpful later on. I was really proud of my organization at this festival!
We happened to meet up with Jody, Christy and Heather for lunch, and then went to the blogger meetup. I briefly talked to Casey (Ravelry rock star), but I could tell he was pretty embarrassed by all the attention he was getting. (Seriously, whenever I saw him or Jess, people would come up to them and say "I just have to thank you...." It was so much fun to see.) I also got to meet Deb and I talked with Kim and Christine. Christine made a very exciting purchase this weekend, yay! (purchase not pictured)
After some fried dough and a little knitting (A muggle walked by and said "Hey, look, it's someone knitting!" Duh.) Jessica, Ann and I went back to the stores on my list so I could make my final purchases. I ran briefly into Oiyi, but it was so crowded that we didn't get much chance to talk.
Green Mountain Spinnery's Green Mountain Green in grey. I'm hoping this will soon be a Cobblestone for me.
Maple Creek Farms DK merino for Eunny's Deep-V Argyle Vest
And something for my mom (Ravelry link).
I also picked up some BFL fiber at The Little Barn. Don't get too excited! Jessica is going to spin it for me :)
After the festival we grabbed some quick food and hit the Morehouse Merino party. They were having a tent sale, and I picked up these skeins for really cheap. This is the only yarn I got that I don't have any real plans for, but I like the colors, and the price was hard to beat!
I tried on their Cowl Top and really liked how it looked, so I picked up the kit in this yarn as well.
I think this top might have the magical quality of looking good on a vast number of people. Jacquie tried it on after me and also got the kit! We were worried that we would both go after the brown yarn, but I got the pink and she picked a grey. I also got to meet (very briefly, unfortunately) Amy and Beth.
After the Morehouse party was the Ravelry party. I think the bar was a little unprepared for the influx of knitters. It was really, really crowded. And crazy/fun. Elspeth gave me kind of a drive-by hi. Again with the brief meetups! It was really hard to talk to all the people I wanted to meet. Jess and Casey got up to thank us for coming and to give away some door prizes, and I had a few heart-swelling "I'm part of a great community" moments. It was just so cool to see.
Jessica, Ann and I finally got a picture together. We'd been hanging out all day so it really was necessary.
As the evening wound down, we sat out on the back patio (So much cooler outside! I could finally wear my sweater!) and I got to meet Tina and her husband. We finally had to leave because it was approaching midnight, and I had had a very long day!
I didn't go to Rhinebeck on Sunday because I had to work on Monday, but I had a nice train ride home. I have to say that after all of that sensory overload, I was happy to be by myself and knit for awhile. I've been working furiously on my current projects so I can cast with some of my new yarn. FOs coming soon!
Wow, what a wonderful haul of loot - but also a wonderful day of connecting with other knitters - it sounds like the best day ever!:) So glad you enjoyed every second and found some new friends along with your amazing deals!
Posted by: stacey | October 24, 2007 at 06:48 AM
Aounds like you had a wonderful time! And all the stuff you got! Your post has definitely made me want to put this on my "to see" list for next year.
Posted by: Tanya | October 24, 2007 at 07:31 AM
Hooray for getting to meet in person!
Love the pics of your haul. You'll be busy for a long while!
Posted by: Christy | October 24, 2007 at 07:59 AM
It sounds like you had a fantastic time! And your stash has been replenished with yummy goodness. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: kim | October 24, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Great recap of the weekend! And you know what I notice most about that last pic, it really is weird seeing me using your purse! ;)
Posted by: Jessica | October 24, 2007 at 09:48 AM
wow! what a flurry of activity! I can't even imagine how crowded that party must have been! all those knitters! sounds like you had a great time though, and got some wonderful yarn!
Posted by: stacey | October 24, 2007 at 10:26 AM
You did a very good job of shopping! Rhinebeck IS overwhelming (at least the first time).
Posted by: margene | October 24, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Wow, you got some gorgeous yarn! It was great seeing you at the festival and the Ravelry party. I'm still recovering from the huge fun and am glad I took Monday off from work. All I want to do is go home & knit with my Rhinebeck yarn!
Posted by: Kim | October 24, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Did you get the Aussi Sock yarn at Seaport Yarns booth? I remember seeing some sock yarn at their booth for an incredible price, but I don't remember what kind it was. I didn't look too long there since Seaport Yarns is only 5 subway stops from where I live.
That Solana yarn is awesome! I couldn't stop touching it when I was there.
It was nice meeting you. I saw you coming out of the Shelridge Farm booth and immediately recognized you. If I didn't run into you there, I don't think I would have went into their booth. Their yarn was great!
Posted by: Oiyi | October 24, 2007 at 11:19 AM
The first (and only) time my dad went to Costco he emerged two 1/2 hours later, dazed and carrying only a huge jar of mayonnaise. I'm always afraid that's how I'd be after Rhinebeck - sort of confused and wondering how I ended up with just a putridly colored skein of boucle that would never become an FO. :) Looks like you had a fabulous time and shopped brilliantly, though!
Posted by: Ariel | October 24, 2007 at 12:58 PM
I'm sure I would be completely overwhelmed too. At OFFF I kind of ran away from all the yarn and hung out with the goats for most of the afternoon! But I'm glad you persevered, cause you got some good loot -- that Solana is stunning.
Posted by: Stella | October 24, 2007 at 02:20 PM
HOORAY for Rhinebeck! it was nice to meet you and run into you throughout saturday. sounds like you had a blast!
Posted by: heather | October 24, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Sounds like fun. Next year, I'm THERE!!!!
Blessings!
Posted by: Susan Pandorf | October 24, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Great purchases! It was nice to meet you in person, and I'm sorry we didn't make it to the Ravelry party to chat more.
Posted by: Amy | October 24, 2007 at 05:49 PM
It was nice meeting you too, Kristy! Your purchases all look fabulous.
Posted by: --Deb | October 24, 2007 at 06:00 PM
It was great spending the day with you and Jessica! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with all that amazing yarn you picked up. :)
Posted by: Anne | October 24, 2007 at 10:52 PM
I was looking for some of the red solana that you acquired last year too... Next year perhaps? Good buys!
Posted by: nova | October 25, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Good Times! :D Looking forward to May already. Might spend less time buying yarn *gasp* and enjoying the festival/meeting folks.
Posted by: Sacha | October 25, 2007 at 06:24 PM
I'm loving all the Rhinebeck posts since I'll probably never get to go! Glad it was fun!
Posted by: tiennie | October 25, 2007 at 11:22 PM
Hey! A little Ravelry told me that today is your birthday! Hope you have a happy one!
Posted by: Tanya | October 27, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Sounds like a great time! I can't wait to get my first shot at Rhinebeck! Love your take home! Great fiber!
Posted by: Carol | October 27, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Looks like you had a great time! I actually considered making the trip from MI. Maybe next year.
Posted by: Beth | November 04, 2007 at 06:14 PM