Knitting@roosterhillfarm.com

It was in fits and starts and I am sure someone upstairs shifted a number of things to get me there, but by golly, I went to Rhinebeck this year. My first time there was in 2007.

The weather was iffy and could have turned nasty, but in the end, it was a great if cool day. The cool temps brought out the handknits! My friend Mary and I had a great time admiring all of them. I wish I took more pictures!


Here’s a random person at the Brooks Farm booth. Brooks Farm, along with many vendors, increased their booth space this year. But still, the area was so crowded! The lines to pay were usually long in most of the booths we visited. At The Fold, lines went out the door of their building. But Toni was at the register, and she was a joy to meet.


FLEECE was everywhere – tops, raw, combed – and all so beautiful. Made me wish I was graceful enough to spin, but I have enough of a time getting things knit!



But really if I had a Golding wheel, maybe I would just make the time. Isn’t this beautiful? I did not look to see if there was a price tag (You know the old adage, “If you have to ask…”).



Here is another picture from Golding’s booth, this time lucets. I had never heard of these until this day. They are used to make i-cord. Another vendor sold nothing but lucets, and had an impressive display, but did not allow pictures.



Here is a spinning wheel made by Norm Hall from Oxford, NY. I had the chance to meet him since he and Mary go way back. He had several examples of wheels of all sizes in his booth. Plus he is a great guy! Again, I did not look at prices



Here is a triangle loom from a vendor who I can’t remember! This was in the last building we visited, and my eyes were beginning to glass over. A woman winding tops even commented on my expression so I guess I was pretty bad! This was in the 2 story building by the farm museum. Did you notice how empty it was this year? I need to give a shout-out to the owner of Four Directions Weaving who gave me a wonderful demo of an Ashford rigid heddle loom. Now this is a craft that even someone as clumsy as I am can get my hands around.



Many, many crafts were on display besides knitting, spinning and weaving items. Crochet was present, rug hooking, needle felting. Look at the is gorgeous pillow from Weston Hill Farm. All of their finished items were sold, but left on display so we could admire them.



But what really left an impression was the amount of felting going on! From purses to produce, animals to scarves and hats, there is a lot you can do with felting! You can do it, I cannot as proven by past attempts. But look at what some folks can do!



Many people were excited to see these ouessant sheep. The farm did not display their name or location but rumor has it that they were from Oregon (thanks Vi!). They were a little skittish so it was hard to take a good pic, but here they are! And soft, so soft.



Lots of other animals too – many breeds of sheep, alpacas, rabbits. All the llamas we saw were a little grumpy so no pictures of them.



Here are Mary and Lis in her booth. Lis’ website is here and she spends all year weaving and knitting up items for you to purchase. And people were purchasing, here and everywhere! In fact Mary and I could not believe the amount of finished items available at Rhinebeck and the amount of people buying them. I bought one of Lis’ patterns for a cable brim hat.



So thank you Rhinebeck 2009! We had a great time!
Next up: the Rhinebeck haul.

Related posts:

1. Rhinebeck Haul