the blue blog archives: no, I'm not a square

Back from Rhinebeck where it was all about Socks that Rock and being a square. And I didn't participate in either.

This was the line at the Socks that Rock stand about 15 minutes after the fairgrounds opened: 30 people, each with at least 5 skeins in their arms. And supposedly the line stayed like that all day. Crazy!

After checking out the STR insanity, we moved on to things I really wanted to get. Like Jamie Harmon's amazing hand-dyed angora. Last year I got her angora to make this funky hat. This year I got yarn to make this little baby hat for wee one on the way.

And I picked up some extra in the same colors to make a hat for me too. Awwww. Then it was on to another favorite: Shelridge Farm, where I was reminded of a cutie patootie baby bonnet pattern of theirs that Lisa, Johanna and I fell in love with last year.

I've got some Lorna's at home that'll be perfect for it! I did still pick up some Shelridge Farm Soft Touch Ultra for a tiny, lacy sweater for wee one to wear home from the hospital. And a skein of their worsted weight for a design idea. I couldn't find a sweater of theirs that I was desperate to make, so I'll just have to make one of my own!

I found this so funny, I kept repeating this title all day long. Just ask Johanna!

Kate Gilbert's baby was in the best baby sweater at the fair, by the way. I didn't get a pic because I only caught a glimpse of her at the knitblogger meetup which was a mob scene. Oh and no, I'm not a square (sorry, Rhinebeck Bingo players). I am lame.

After about 6 hours at the fair, we spent about 4 hours at Morehouse Merino's shop. Here's what I got...

We shopped, ate a ton free refreshments (we are pregnant, you know!), then Johanna and I grabbed a sofa by the laceweight and sat and knitted and told everyone we saw to knit a lace shawl like my Melody's shawl. (Look for me, Jess and Maya to be making the exact same shawl in the near future!)

Finally, it was off to the Marriott to meet up with lots of knitbloggers and knitbuds for a knitting and spinning party in the lobby.

I worked on my garter stitch baby sweater, getting all the way to the front panels.

And last, but not least, we stopped by Colorful Stitches in Lenox on the way home on Sunday to check out a little sale we heard they had going on. I got two baby sweaters' worth of yarn (one in Jaeger Matchmaker DK, one in Mission Falls 1824 Wool) for a total of $26!

And then we came home and showed all our loot to the Knitsmiths. Cause no one else would really understand.

posted by alison at 11:44 am | in just blogging 06 , koigu baby coat

Comments

A super-duper fun weekend... next year, with the babies!

Posted by: Johanna at October 23, 2006 11:55 AM

Okay, I'm pretty damn jealous. Knitter's Nirvana weekend!

And I'm especially envious of your visiting the Morehouse shop! Coincidentally, I just purchased the Melody shawl pattern and plan to start it relatively soon, but with some Blue Heron rayon metallic, I think. And then maybe with some KnitPicks Shimmer. And then maybe with.... ;-)

Posted by: Mary at October 23, 2006 12:06 PM

Looks like you had a great time. I wish I was there. And How Are You Feeling? Hope all is well.

Posted by: Charisse at October 23, 2006 12:11 PM

I live on the wrong coast! All the really cool knitters and yarn shops seem to be over there instead of over here on the West Coast! I'm jealous, but happy for your bounty of purchases.

Posted by: Karen at October 23, 2006 12:18 PM

So nice seeing you! I am so excited about our red Melody. I balled the yarn up last night and started casting on. wee!

I am so pissed that I didn't think to stop off at Colorful Stitches... love that shop. We got married in Lenox and every time we went out there to plan, I had to stop at CS. SALE! Dammit.

Posted by: frecklegirl jess at October 23, 2006 12:26 PM

It was so nice to meet you at the hand-dyed angora booth!

Glad you had a fab time at the fest!

Posted by: Christy at October 23, 2006 12:40 PM

I saw that STR line, too, at about 11 and it was just as long. But then they ran out and the line magically went away.

Posted by: Carole at October 23, 2006 12:48 PM

I totally agree with you on the Socks That Rock line. I followed my buddies to the booth because I wanted to check it out, saw the line, and immediately thought to myself, "No yarn is worth a line like that." I hope the folks that stood in line love their yarn.

I think I glimpsed you at the festival. Thought about saying hi and introducing myself, but you were deep in conversation with someone else already. Glad to hear you had a great time.

Posted by: Jenn C. at October 23, 2006 12:48 PM

It was so nice meeting you at Morehouse, and thank you for letting me rub your belly :-) I totally forgot about the sale at Colorful Stitches, but I'm thinking that is not such a bad thing. Then again maybe I'll drop by later to see if there is any good leftovers in the baskets on the floor.

Posted by: michelle at October 23, 2006 12:49 PM

Okay, and in weirdness, I just realized that I'm in your first picture, right in the front, in the demin jacket. I think Emily and I were, in fact, discussing our lack of desire to stand in the STR line, and the craziness of the people that were.

Posted by: Jenn C. at October 23, 2006 12:51 PM

Good trip!

So why don't you like STR? I'm not keen on so the skeins I recieved from the Sock Club because they jammed so many colors into one skien. But they are incredibly soft and cushy. And not all their colors are so busy.

Posted by: LaurieM at October 23, 2006 1:07 PM

Such nice photos ... looks like you had a great time!

Best,
firefly

Posted by: firefly8868 at October 23, 2006 1:07 PM

It was lovely to meet you. We hit the Fold booth as soon as we arrived. There was already at least an hour's worth of line. Having bought way too much sock yarn and way too much spinning fiber, I'll have to remain ignorant of STR a while longer.

The wool is $30 an ounce, the meat is $4.50 a pound?? Something is awry in the state of the universe, but we knew this.

Posted by: Lucia at October 23, 2006 1:18 PM

I didn't make it to Rhinebeck this year because I was co-hosting a baby shower. Thanks for sharing your fun times! Next year, I will be there!

Posted by: Michelle at October 23, 2006 1:43 PM

I made one of those shelridge farms bonnets last month (out of some gret angora I found). It was a really fun little knit. The only thing I changed was the colour of the ribbons - I liked 'em plain instead of mismatched. If you want to see there is a pic in my September archives (in the end I think it will fit the baby when I want it to).

Posted by: Renee at October 23, 2006 2:31 PM

Great to see you, if only for a little while.

Posted by: claudia at October 23, 2006 2:37 PM

Mmmm, goat meat. It can be stringy, but is quite tasty.

Posted by: Kat at October 23, 2006 2:46 PM

yeah, saturday was a total mobscene! but fun! it was nice meeting you at the blogger meetup :)

Posted by: gleek at October 23, 2006 3:29 PM

I finally found the socks that rock around 2:30 and they only had 2 colorways left, equally odd colors on hot pink and the other mustard yellow. I guess that line would have scared me if I got there earlier. Around the end of the day I did opt of of some sock yarn cause I just couldn't wait in a long line again. I have absolutely no patience.

Posted by: Elise at October 23, 2006 4:43 PM

Sounds like quite the haul! I agree - STR is overrated. I would never wait in that kind of line. Scratch that. I would wait in line if the yarn were free.

Posted by: Elinor at October 23, 2006 5:29 PM

Hmmm, sounds like you two managed your time well. I look forward to trading observations in person.

Posted by: colleen at October 23, 2006 6:55 PM

If any one REALLY wants Socks That Rock or any of Tina's other yarn, I am in the mecca of it here. She is from Scappoose, Oregon. She is also selling it on line now. I haven't used STR, but the bamboo is fantastic.

Posted by: Jackie at October 23, 2006 7:29 PM

what a blissful time! i am very jealous here in florida :) next year i hope!

Posted by: amisha at October 23, 2006 9:26 PM

Superfuntimes! It was great hanging out with you, Johanna, and the babies-to-be (if only for a little while).

Posted by: Sarah at October 23, 2006 10:42 PM

It was so great to meet you this weekend! I was travelling with Andi and Heather (just to remind you of who I am). Wish I could have had more time to hang with you at the Morehouse party. I'm sure I'll see plenty of you around blogland, though :-)

Posted by: Amy at October 23, 2006 11:17 PM

What a cute two story yarn store! And the total score on the yarn, too. If I'm ever near Lenox, that's where I'm going for yarn.

Posted by: freecia at October 24, 2006 2:07 AM

oh man! I wish I was there sounds like a blast,...chilly over there aint it...we're still in t-shirt here...oh well, middle east and all.
Okay...love the bonnet look...i've never done a mitered [sp?] square...and the color of that fiber, now that's more like it. LOVE IT.
Sweater looks really nice on you.

Posted by: Orli at October 24, 2006 5:24 AM

The Melody shawl is in my future as well! I couldn't resist when i visted the morehouse stall in union sq a couple of weeks ago. though i'm sure it doesn't compare to rhinebeck. hope to see you soon!

Posted by: shireen at October 24, 2006 8:35 AM

Thanks for all of the advice about the Melody shawl and how to make it work with less yarm (I was the one frantically looking for more yarn in the pinkish greenish colorway)! It was great to meet you, even though in all the yarny excitement I'm not sure I introduced myself. ;)

Posted by: sarah b. at October 24, 2006 10:22 AM

I'm with you, STR: don't believe the hype! I've made several pairs of socks with it and find that I enjoy so many other sock yarns much more. There seems to be a "softness" that is missing from STR. But to each their own.

Posted by: Roberta at October 24, 2006 10:40 AM

My hubby just about had a coronary when he saw the "yarn you accumulated" that turned out just to be the sale yarn at the shop. Tee-hee! I shouldn't have told him! Just think what it could have done for my stash enhancing!!!

Posted by: Amy Lu at October 25, 2006 1:29 AM

man that picture does not do the size of that Knitty cat justice! It was huge!!!

Posted by: Denise at October 25, 2006 7:12 PM

Sounds like a fun day! Love all that sale yarn!!

Posted by: Michelle at October 25, 2006 8:47 PM