Home from Rhinebeck

I know you've probably seen this all over blogland, but I can't resist:

It's the Gaint Pumpkin! We laughed and laughed. One R even named her new bear "Gerhadt Gaint" in honor of the silliness.

We spent our Rhinebeck time on Sunday revisiting vendors, chatting with friends, and doing a little more shopping. We were visiting Spirit Trail and happened to be there when the Yarn Harlot stopped by. I grabbed Judy from down the way, because I knew she'd like to meet her -- we both would. She wanted to be able to tell Stephanie how participating in the Knitting Olympics inspired her, and to thank her. We did that. And we felt like goony junior high-schoolers. We hope Stephanie forgets the whole thing. Really, we are grown-ups. We have jobs and everything. Don't let the giggles fool you.

By early afternoon we were ready to go home, so we did. We had the best time ever. We couldn't -- and can't -- stop marveling about our lovely, inspiring, hysterical, delicious, exhausting weekend. After a short detour through the beautiful grounds of the Vanderbilt Mansion, we turned toward home.

Happy,

sleepy,

and already making plans for next year. So far: bring lunch, and our own pillows!

~:~

I began a scarf with my Brooks Farm Acero yarn today. Not lace this time around, but a diagonal rib. I'll take a picture as soon as there's something to show. I'm aiming for a soft, drapey, kind of wide, long scarf. So far so good.

Rhinebeck

By now you know that Saturday's sky looked like this:

And that there were lots of these:

That's about it!

Just kidding.

I didn't do so well in the photography department, but I sure did have a wonderful time! We -- my friend (blogless) Judy and her daughters, the Amazing R's -- stayed in our new favorite motel in Hyde Park, which is just five minutes up the road from our favorite place to eat, the Eveready Diner. We enjoyed breakfast on both mornings, the better to fortify ourselves for the days ahead.

That's right, Sandy, No Crybabies!

Saturday: full of pancakes and sausages, we parked and made a bee-line to the big building to visit the peeps at Spirit Trail -- Jen and Martha and Purlewe and Shelia. Hugs all around, with a little squealing.

Then we spent a while going in circles, discovering things like this:

• Brooks Farm's newest yarn, Acero -- 60% superwash, 20% silk, and 20% viscose. It's beautiful, and not yet available on their website.
• Susan Borger's lovely lavender sachets, of linen and cotton, some with delicate embroidered patchwork designs.
• Grafton Fibers batts. I did not realize that they were those batts until after I had purchased some.
• Spirit Trail's incredible silks and fibers and sock yarns. And everything. I'm going to wait till Jennifer's appearance at the KR Retreat.
  

By the time we made it out into the open, it was clear that the crowds were bigger than ever. Weaving in and out, trying to stay together, we saw the most beautiful knitting being worn by just about everyone. Shawls of every type and color, with knitters stopping knitters to ask what pattern? which yarn? Sweaters, hats, scarves, socks. And fingerless mitts! The fingerless mitts were on just about every hand (including the R's, because I finished theirs just in time).

I didn't go to the big blogger meetup, and I'm only a bit sorry that I missed it. You see, we were already having a magical, wonderful day, and I didn't want to interrupt it. Next time.

We took a car break in the early afternoon -- we stowed our purchases and had twenty minutes of peace, a chat about our plans for the rest of the day, some water, and we were good to go. By the time we met up with a friend in the late afternoon, we'd made it up to the top of the fairgrounds. I got lost in the Morehouse booth, emerging with enough beautiful variegated lace yarn to make a little shawl or a big scarf. I'd also found the fiber of my dreams at Carolina Homespun -- Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks Cashmere-Tussah in a color called Hallie's Berries. One R caught the knitting bug right there in the middle of Building 31. Cotton yarn to make a placemat for Grandma. Good thing I brought my needles!

After a delicious dinner at our traditional Saturday Rhinebeck spot, the Rhinebeck Grille and Cantina, we went back to Hyde Park to rest up and knit and sew (the other R was working on a fantastic felt creature). And gab. When you've known someone as long as I've known Judy (34 years!) (we were babies, I tell you!) and you can still make each other laugh so hard you can't breathe, then I'd say you're best friends, wouldn't you? And when you immerse a pair of girls, starting at birth, in your Philosophy of Friendship, then by the time they are almost thirteen they're right there with you, making you go breathless, too.

~:~

So that was Saturday. It's late now, and my work day was a long one, and I'm still basking/recovering. I'll be back.

T is for...

...Turtle.

Turtle is my own, my "totem" animal. I don't know why, except that as a symbol it has always just come to me. What it represents -- a creature who can protect itself -- means everything, for my Turtle habits have shielded me many times. Its pace -- slow and careful -- means that I might take my time getting somewhere, but when I do, I'm ready for the next journey. I like to live on Turtle Time. Turtle is grounded, at home on earth but also in water. My strengths come from being at home there, too.

This is my little Zuni Turtle, brought to me by V at a time in my life when I couldn't be like Turtle. I was scattered and uncomfortable and scared. That was a long time ago, though. She gave it to me, she said, because Turtle carries his home wherever he goes, as I always have.

This Turtle is the last of my favorite pair of earrings. I bought them when I was on the verge of knowing I could move somewhere-not-at-home. I wore them almost all the time, for many years, until one disappeared. I must not have needed the pair any longer.

Ah, Turtle. Slow and steady wins the race.

:~:

Warning: Sock Club Spoilage Ahead.

Sundara's next Petals Collection shipment arrived today. Don't look if you want to be surprised when yours arrives, but I can't help it, I must share this color.

Knitters, meet Fall Foliage. I wish I could photograph red, though.

:~:

I'm trying to contain the Rhinebeck Frenzy. (Be like Turtle, Jane...) All I can think about is leaving work early on Friday, getting in the car with Judy and the R's, laughing till we drop off to sleep, and then...

I can't wait to see old friends, greet new ones, and discover treasures at every turn.

Hardly an original idea

First, the hands: It's all Sandy's fault. When a perfectly brilliant idea is put right in front of me, I pay attention. Fetching, from the Summer 2006 Knitty. For two Fabulous R's. By Rhinebeck. Sure. This is a fun pattern to knit, and the Cashmerino is a knitting de-light. This first creamy pair is just off the needles, and needs a little wash 'n set. Do these qualify as mittens, for the Warm Hands Knitalong? Sandy?

Then, the feet: I've made a good start on my next sock project, the one I'm taking on the road. It's Fleece Artist in Indian Summer. The cuff stitch is Twin Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks -- simple, stretchy, and perfectly suited to the yarn. And what a perfect color this is! I've been saving it just for this time of year.

And on to the week ahead:
Workworkworking.
Cleaninglaundrypacking.
Listingdreaminglaughing.
Road trip! Sheep! Knitters!