Rhinebeck 2012

oh my gosh! Where to start? Maybe I'll start with a warning: this post will be long and full of friends and good times! Read on at your own risk!

So this past weekend I went on a trip to attend the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck NY. I flew out of Regina with my knitting buddy Katherine. We picked up Leanne from NB in Toronto and flew to Albany NY. Janie and Patricia from Kansas met us at the airport. They took us grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. I wish we had one here.

photo by Patricia : )

We drove to the house rental where we met a bunch of ladies I've been chatting with online for years. If you regularly read my blog or know me at all, you know that the Itty Bitty Knits group on Ravelry is a big part of my life. Sounds a bit silly when I describe it but you'd understand if you could meet this group. There are so many amazing people I met in person (finally!) and I feel so lucky to have spent the weekend with them.

photo by Joe (he's such a super guy!)

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, bright and early we headed off to Rhinebeck. I'm not sure I have words to describe how large this fair is. It has everything a fair should from food to petting zoos, sheep shearing competitions, dog herding, magicians, and yarn... oh the yarn...

photo by Rae Lynne

my pic, loved this fella's shoes!

photo by Becky - sheep bums

I went a bit mad buying up yarn. I got to hit booths and squish stuff I've only heard about on podcasts. I spent a long time at Miss Bab's and Socks that Rock. I found yarn for the projects on my list and lots that don't have a purpose... yet. I got some gifts and bought Soak, buttons by Jennie the Potter, and a nifty dpn holder.

The best was exploring the fair with my IBK buddies. We hit up the Rav meet up on the hill and I found podcasters that I adore like Leslie and Laura from the Knitgirllls and Carin from Round the Twist and the Deborah and Melanie from The Savvy Girls. I ate a deep fried pickle (interesting) and posed for pictures with my gnomies. Saw Stephen West from afar and went all fan girl in my head. I might have squeaked out loud, shoulda, shoulda, shoulda went and met him, he was so adorable. I saw the Yarn Harlot walk by with her entourage and I had to grab Suzanne to stay upright. It was really fabulous.

Becky's photo of Rae Lynne and I wearing our Whippoorwills

Becky's photo - deep fried pickles

Becky's photo - waiting at the gates to get in

Of course each afternoon we'd head back to the house and show off our finds, knit a bit, eat, drink wine, laugh and sleep so we could do it again the next day.

Becky's photo - thanks for using your camera way more than I did!

Janie's photo - that's Ellen with the wheel, she was fantastic!

The weekend was full of good friends, knitting, laughter and hugs. There are some fabulous huggers in this group! It was really hard to say goodbye on Monday. I started missing everyone as soon as I got on the plane to Toronto.

I know there are girls I met that I will see again. I have to because, they were that awesome (said in my best NY accent like Suzanne). We have a flickr group where you can see more pictures of our weekend if you'd like. And as always Itty Bitty Knits is an open friendly group on Ravelry, so if you knit, crochet, weave, spin, dye yarn, etc... check us out!