Greetings!
Recently I hosted a trip to the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival in beautiful Rhinebeck, NY (otherwise known affectionately in the knitting community as just "Rhinebeck"). Joining me on the trip was Lisa M., Harriet, Debbie, and Juana Elena. Here's quick recap of our fun day! |
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Knitting on the Bus
We joined about 40 other knitters on the bus from Patricia's Yarns in Hoboken, NJ. On the ride to the festival, I taught a mini-class in how to make i-cord, which is the basis for my Vortex Necklace knitting pattern and great to use as straps on bags, "frogs" for buttons, and other surface embellishments. |
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Leaf Peeping!
This festival is always held on the third weekend in October. It's peak leaf-peeping season in Dutchess County, and the trees are always gorgeous.
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How Sheep Become Yarn
Our first stop was to visit the Flying Goat Farm. Owner Lisa Check talked to us about how she raises sheep (and goats) and how the fiber is made into yarn. We all bought some luscious yarn from Lisa!   |
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Buffalo Yarn?
We saw all kinds of wonderful yarn made out of sheep, alpaca, angora goats, angora rabbits, and even camel and buffalo! The Buffalo Wool Company drove their yarn truck (made from an old Twinkies delivery truck) from Texas.  |
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My Search for Buttons
I was on a mission to buy buttons for a baby sweater. The pattern is Sheep Yoke Baby Cardigan by Jennifer Little. I bought the rainbow buttons, but ended up using wooden buttons with carved sheep that I bought from Patricia's Yarns after we got back to Hoboken.    |
Hitchhiker Shawl
Lisa M. is making the Hitchhiker Shawl. While we were walking around the festival, we saw lots of other people also wearing this shawl. It's a great project for newer knitters, as it's mostly garter stitch with some increases and binding off to create the "teeth." Here is Lisa's shawl in progress: 
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Crazy Socks
Every year, I enjoy visiting the booth of the Tsarina of Tsocks, aka Lisa Grossman (yes, there were a LOT of Lisa's on this trip!). She is SUCH a creative sock designer, and this year's new sock is "Shark Week." What I didn't realize at the time is that there are two different socks in this kit. There are even tiny baby sharks that attach with Velcro!
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Yarn Winding
Most of the yarn we bought was packaged in hanks which need to be wound into balls before knitting. I brought my ball winder and swift so we could wind the yarn on the bus ride home.
 
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We were all exhausted, but happy!
Maybe next year you can join us! Happy Fall Knitting!
Lisa M. Barnes
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Upcoming Events
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Anatomy of Mosaic Knitting Learn how to create Mosaic knitting designs, an easy way to make colorful accessories! Sun., Nov. 9, 11-2pm, Lion Brand Yarn Studio in Manhattan. Click here for more information.
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Featured Project
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Rose shows off her first sock!
Get your project featured here! Email me your photo with link to pattern at Lisa@LMBDesigns.com.
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