Rhinebeck 2010

     After much blue air and gesticulating (traffic), we arrived at the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, in the early afternoon. It was a perfect-let me say perfect- autumn afternoon. Cool enough to need a sweater but not so cold that you wished for gloves-although I am carrying my gloves with me these days. I do not like to drive with cold hands.
     I will say here that I do not need  another skein of yarn, nor another knitting book or pattern, nor likely any knitting utensil. Therefore my purchases were not multitudinous, rather they were more of the 'this is unique and I may not see it again', variety.
     And here I will list them for you. Just three from big to small.

     I bought a bag, from the artisan, Julia Hilbrandt (who comes from Stanfordville). Now if you know me or even if you read my blog or my facebook posts, you know that I can and do make felted bags-and pretty nice ones at that. and that I have even ventured into using vintage wool for a bag or two. However. These bags were different, The were industrial and strong -and yet the details were noticeable and dignified. even classy. So I circled the booth, and took a walk around the fairground and saw alot of wool. Alot. Of. Wool. And then I decided that I would forgo the wool and buy the bag, because, after all, as I said in my words above, in line one of paragraph two, I do not need another skein of yarn. Not just yet. And I do love this bag. I love the look, the size-it will fit lunch, gloves, keys, ipad, wallet and knitting quite easily, and I love the details, as simple as they are they are well executed and poised on the edge of edgy. love that. well done Julia.








     For all of my declarations fo not needing more wool, I did buy just one skein of brushed mohair, because it reminded me of mermaid hair and somewhere in the back of my mind I have a fascination with mermaids and I want to paint (another) one and this lovely green, yards and yards of green, shimmering like mermaid locks in the surf, brought those mermaids back to the forefront of my mind. And for 20 bucks, it was worth it. I do not know the provenance, of the mohair , but it was hand dyed at "Handmade in the Hills", in Lawrenceville, PA. no website listed in the receipt.

My last purchase, small and beautiful, made at the Shipyard Point Glassworks booth, coming all the way from Maine. Beautiful, bright, brilliant glass knitting notions: glass buttons, glass tipped crochet hooks, lovely kits and these tiny wonderful stitch markers. I will likely go to their website and buy some more. I  bought these on my way out. As a place holder. Ahem. I know. Sorry for the insider knitting pun.