the blue blog archives: rhinebeck: the yarn

Look, there's some yarn! Sure, sure, that's what you were expecting to hear. And it was what I was expecting to see. But apparently some people like to make their own yarn. This festival was like a spinner's fantasy! As we passed by basket after basket, stand after stand overflowing with gorgeous roving, I found myself having to look for yarn. "Oh what beautiful colors - wow - do they have any actual yarn - nope - darn."

I did enjoy seeing the needle felted crafts made with roving. Everyone seemed to be selling these incredible silk scarves with sections of free form needle felting. And I particularly liked these needle felted pumpkins. Alas, I could not come up with a reason that I needed to buy one.

There was of course plenty of yarn to be had. The Great Adirondack booth was one of the most memorable, as they had yarns in every crazy color and made of every crazy fiber. Just the wackiest things! And tons of it. In the same barn were two other faves of mine, Green Mountain Spinnery, and the best of all Morehouse Merino. We spent at least a half hour at their stand, then another two in their store nearby. I ended up spending much more time than money, which is probably a good thing, because I could have bought it all!

I came home with bear paws kits for the boys and one skein of beautiful variegated yarn for a scarf for me. I know, I know, what am I doing buying variegated yarn?! I was so overwhelmed and overjoyed at how awesome everything was at Morehouse Merino that I kind of lost my way as a shopper. I can't really explain why I bought what I bought or why I bought so little. But now that I've seen the store and felt the yarns, I have a feeling I'll be visiting them online quite a bit.

So that's my Rhinebeck story: I came, I saw, I was tempted. But I figure, you don't have to buy a lot just because you were at a big festival. I enjoyed the festival, I love the few things I bought and that's enough for me. This time.

posted by alison at 3:43 pm | in fantastic fiber voyage

Comments

Love the "Rhinebeck sundae"--yum! I didn't buy much either but had a great time, and The Great Adirondack booth had some real temptations. Maybe I'll actually bring my kids next time...or maybe not. ;)

Posted by: Katy at October 18, 2004 4:08 PM

I'm a knitter at heart and you're right this festival was a spinner's dream come true! I ended up being so tempted by the roving that I ended up buying a drop spindle and some roving in beautiful colors!

Posted by: Erin at October 18, 2004 4:22 PM

I would want a felted pumpkin because felted wool has lanolin in it and lanolin helps keep pins lubricated and ready to sew with! Do you recall the seller? I would love to buy one.

Posted by: Melly at October 18, 2004 6:37 PM

I did most of my damage at the Morehouse store on the way home. Those bear claw mitts are so cute.

Posted by: Suzanne at October 18, 2004 7:05 PM

Try Knitty's Clapotis pattern for the variegated, or a twist on it. It shows off variegated yarns very well, without looking strange like some can.

Posted by: amy at October 18, 2004 7:56 PM

great pics. love the yarn sundae and the pumpkins. and the stall shop is too cool.

Posted by: froggy at October 18, 2004 8:08 PM

Weren't you even *a little* tempted to play with a little roving and a spindle? Even a little??

Posted by: claudia at October 18, 2004 9:37 PM

Melly, the ones I saw were almost actual pumpkin sized and cost around $20. The vendor was Decadent Fibers. I found their info in Wool Works' stores listing here. The pumpkins were so great looking. I wish I'd managed to talk myself into one!

To answer your question Claudia: no. The roving sure was beautiful and soft, but then again so are the sheep. ;0)

Posted by: alison at October 19, 2004 12:22 AM

The bear paw mittens are great-they remind me of Maurice Sendak illustrations very much (ie Where the Wild Things Are).

Any ideas on how they made the felted pumpkins? I have no idea what I'd do with them, but it dowsn't stop the urge to try to make one on my own!

Posted by: Katie O. at October 19, 2004 8:24 AM

I would have bought a felted pumpkin. I would put it on my piano and adore it.

I noticed the bear paw mittens at the Morehouse website. Cute!

Wish I was there :o)

Posted by: Donna Boucher at October 19, 2004 8:37 AM

Great to meet you on Saturday!

Posted by: Cari at October 19, 2004 11:33 AM

I'm in the same boat. I bought 1 skein of yarn (mind you, it was 12oz) and two little fluffy bunches of angora/alpaca roving (mmmmmmm)

I'm amazed at how good I was!

Posted by: Amber at October 19, 2004 12:37 PM

I like your response to Claudia and I'm not surprised at all. You are one tough nut to crack. ;) Seriously? I bet you would enjoy Stitches East because it's more yarn store focused from what I've heard. I know what you city folk like! I was actually surprised this time by the amount of yarn I saw. Did you see the bargain Carolyn picked up? It's a very, very pretty shade of blue wool and something like 600 yds for $18. Not too shabby.

Posted by: Kerstin at October 19, 2004 2:10 PM

Sensory overload is sometimes good for the ol' wallet. I get that way...like at Maryland Sheep and Wool...So many beautiful things! I love the ice cream...lots of fiber!

Posted by: Heather at October 21, 2004 8:39 AM