Rhinebeck Shopping When You Are Stash Happy

This past weekend was the wonderful event known officially as “NY Sheep and Wool Festival”, but as Rhinebeck to all the fiber fans that attend. It really is an amazing event. I feel like it combines the best part of New England / Upstate New York, prime leaf peeping season, the fall chill in the air (it even snowed this year!), with a bit of quirkyness – I saw kangaroos! I go to Rhinebeck for motivation, inspiration, the chance to say hi to friends I’ve made through knitting, to say thank you to designers whose work I admire. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there are lovely yarns and items to look at as well. I tend to get overwhelmed by too many sights and sounds and people, but this particular combination is the best sort of overwhelm.

I am the first to admit, I have a healthy stash. It’s is already past SABLE-status (that’s short for Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy), so what could I possibly find to purchase?  I went in with a list – I was looking for one particular skein (it wasn’t brought to the show), one particular breed (found it), and a vague notion that I wanted something gradient, or in a kit, and a new project bag. My purchases were on the list, mostly.

From left to right: Clun Forest & Targhee from Solitude Wool, North Light Fibers Block Island Beanie Kit, Wedge bag from Stitched by JessaLu, Meridian Sock in Excursion and Bethel Sock in Sojourn from Into the Whirled, Cree-Ah’s Breath DK Alpaca from Hampden Hills Alpacas and a Super Sheep DK Badger Black Gradient Set from Holiday Yarns. I’m not sure what will make it to the needles first!