No. I am not at Rhinebeck this year. No one is but I thought a lot about it yesterday as I was hand washing loads of laundry-again. I sure was wishing I was there sprawled out on the lawn knitting like I was in 2013.
It was my last trip to Rhinebeck and I was wearing a sweater that I had started right after my first visit in 2009. It took me four years to finish it. I saw someone walk by in one and knew I had to have one. It's Lillehammer by Dale of Norway and it was an epic achievement. I took its mugshot laying in the leaves outside one of the little vendor sheds in the fairgrounds.
My very first Rhinebeck sweater was this one in 2009. It's a Lopi and it was a good choice. It was cold that year. There was ice and snow on the ground. I was freezing and also coming down with what would turn out to be H1N1. I had taken the train up with Daughter and I was so sick by the time my train arrived back home I could barely walk. The Mister had to carry me to the car. Swine flu was no Covid but it was pretty bad. It was the sickest I had ever been and for the longest time.
My second Rhinebeck sweater was Inishturk. That was 2012 and it was too hot for it that year. It was also too big. I gifted it to Son.
The Rhinebeck sweater that never was is White Pine. I made it for a year that I didn't get to go because Daddio had started to become an issue.
Here is a photo from that Rhinebeck weekend in 2014. It's from a post where I was moaning about missing the festival because Dad was in the hospital with pneumonia. It all seems pretty silly of me now. In only four years he would be gone.
I just told The Mister come hell or high water, as soon as this pandemic thing is over I will be there again some day.
I could care less about the yarn or the fiber or the other woolly things. Rhinebeck is always such a crazy crowded mess it is hard to shop there. I just want to sit on a hill and knit with strangers. I also want some apples. I always bought some for the ride home whether it was by train or car and they were always the best thing you ever ate.
2021 people. I'm already knitting next year's sweater.
It's a date.
.jpg-large)
It's my goal to someday, someday, get to go to Rhinebeck. I watch video after video every year of others going there and I drool, (well, not really, but you know what I mean,) over all of the people. My people. Yarny people.
ReplyDeleteAll of your sweaters are fantastic, but that Lillehammer is amazing, gorgeous, unbelievable. I could go on and on because it's that spectacular. I wish I could knit colorwork like you do. It scares the bejeebers out of me!
I think you and I had the swine flu at the same exact time. I missed a very important wedding in Seattle. Dennis and Alex drove there and left me at home, quilting a queen sized quilt by hand. I still remember it. By the time they got home, they were both speaking Italian from a CD they had listened to on the way there and back. Since Dennis speaks fluent Spanish, it was fairly easy for him to pick up and Alex has an amazing ear for languages. They now have fun speaking Italian to each other when I'm around so I don't know what they're saying. They just did it last night on Face-time.
Anyway, I know what you mean about being sick. It was the sickest I've ever been and it lasted forever. I know too that it was no COVID, but it was bad enough. :-)
Have a great Sunday my friend. Sorry I jabber on so long sometimes. It feels like we're having a real conversaton.
Blessings,
Betsy
I’ve never been to Rhinebeck but desire to get there one year. I could drive 2 hours to Niagara Falls NY and get on the train but alas this has not happened yet. Otherwise the Woodstock Fleece Festival usually happens same weekend and I vend there with a few friends. Every year I troll all the pictures and posts on the web. The year I retired I dragged my hubby (willingly) to go with me to Maryland. We had great time. Also visited falling water on the way back. Take care. Love your blog. Hugs. Cheryl (aka seajaes on ravelry)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful sweaters! I think all of us have list of things that we will do after all of his is resolved. Mine are kind of holding me together - the looking forward is so important to my heart and mind! In the meantime ... knit.
ReplyDeleteAll of your Rhinebeck creations are amazing!
ReplyDeleteMom and I have never gone because it's always on the weekend my Dad leaves for moose hunting and Mom doesn't want to have to kennel the animals. This year, he leaves a full week later... and then there's the pandemic... :(
Oh well... maybe some year, we'll meet there.
Knit on!! That looks like an amazing gathering...what fun! Your sweaters are all so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the tour through your sweaters! I've never been to that festival so usually watch some YouTube afterwards to see the highlights. I have a lot of plans for next year, too!
ReplyDeleteOh Deb. Gorgeous sweaters.
ReplyDeleteNow here 's the thing, I got to go to Rhinebeck VIrtual. I had such a fun 4 days my friend! I started shopping and show meyour rhinebeck knock off, on Friday . I Told fireman, think of it as My Masters TOurnament.
Saturday I shopped andfound Allison a coveted skein of RBG yarn from a vendor. TOday I took a shawl pin jewelry class. THis year Rhinebeck was acessable for ME! and I loved every minute of it! SOrry It was very hard for those of you who normally get a donut smell as you walk the lovey crowded grounds. I entered the photo contest. I may have made a friend!
I have such mixed feelings about Rhinebeck. I'd like to be able to say I've been but I'm fairly certain I would hate the crowds and I'd rather spend the travel money at smaller, less crowded festivals that I know I would enjoy. But then again, sitting on a hill, knitting with strangers does sound like fun.
ReplyDelete