Rhinebeck 2013

This post almost didn't happen, so better late than never I think.  I read that there were over 40,000 people in attendance this year, which I feel will ensure the event happens again next year.  It was chilly in the morning when we arrived, but it got warm during the middle of the day - which is how it usually goes.

Here's my loot. 6 lbs of Romney fleece:

It's double bagged to avoid the knitting group from suffering nausea on the bus ride home.  It doesn't look like much until you open the bag:

You can't realize the wonder of this fiber until you see (and get a whiff of) it:

There's a pretty long staple length, so this fiber will have to be combed instead of carded:

I also got two WooLee Winder bobbins, 1 skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock lightweight in the Rhinebeck colorway 'Little Bo Peep', and a pattern for the Acer sweater:

I don't know how the picture came upside down, but you get the picture.

I spent most of my time on line at Miss Babs (nearly an hour)!  The line was down the aisle, out the door and I was 10 people back from the entrance.  I was shopping for Tracey to buy Yowza - Whatta Skein, and believe me, it is worth the money.  It's soft, and the color is so vibrant that if she doesn't want it, I'll take it!

On my way out of the park, I did snap one picture:

This was the only part of the park that was empty when I left.

Rhinebeck is the fiber/yarn/livestock event of the year and people come from all over to attend.  If you're a newbie to the event next year, here's a bit of useful information:

Saturday at Rhinebeck is a madhouse.  People come from all over the world to attend by busload and carload, but parking is no problem.  There are a lot of hills to climb and you wouldn't guess it, but shopping and standing in line all day is exhausting, even if it is exciting.  Most of the shop owners are there, so it's nice to see them in person, along with your Ravelry friends and some of the podcasters, too.

Sunday is a whole different ball game.   If there were 40,000 people there on Saturday, then there are half that many there on Sunday.  Sure, some of the stuff you wanted might be gone, but there's always a lot left on Sunday, and it's a lot less hectic, less crowded and the food lines are shorter.  

And if you ever want a mug from Jennie the Potter - you have to be on line on Saturday at about 6 a.m.  Or you can find her online, place an order and wait. 

Next blog will be about the knitting.