It's that time of year again!

Amanda and her boys came up for a visit this weekend so we could make our annual trek to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York. Normally, we would not have dragged two babies on such an excursion, but there were no babysitters available this time, so we had to bribe Moose with hot dogs and carousel rides. He was a little whiny but we all survived.

It all started out with the usual pretty knits and yarns.

But this year there was some very cute artwork as well.

And look who we met!!!! It's Stephanie Pearl-McPhee of The Yarn Harlot fame! She signed our books for us while we told her how much we love her writing.

And then she asked to see what the boys were wearing.

Handmade by their mommy Amanda. And their hats had googly eyes too.

Moose was excited to see all the artisans at work. This lady was needle felting animal figurines.

And this lady was spinning yarn. Notice how Moose was concentrating.

He also enjoyed watching this man make woven pictures.

We stopped to look at the fish in the pond but Leo was looking at something else.

As busy as the festival was Moose found time to stop and smell the roses... or ageratum actually.

Moose enjoyed petting the sheep.

And checked out the angora bunnies.

I think the sign on the pen said this sheep was a Cormo. I love the bangs!

The alpaca were out for a walk but Moose didn't want to get too close. The last time he tried to pet a llama it tried to eat his hair!

We got caught in a sudden downpour of rain and ducked under the carousel for a bit of a ride to stay dry.

We got back home just in time for a quick visit with Uncle Drew before he had to run. I think he's giving Leo the rules about not spitting up on his clothes. LOL!

I am glad we had this visit even though it was a short one.

And I think the boys are glad to be going home tomorrow. I have been showering them with kisses until they can't stand it anymore!

The Cummington Sheep and Wool Festival and Catching Up With the Chicks

Memorial Day weekend there was a gathering in Cummington, Massachusetts of some of the most beautiful fibers and animals. It was the Cummington Sheep and Wool Festival. Not on the same scale as the Rhinebeck festival in the fall, this festival was so cute, with many of the same attractions. There was the sheep dog trials, the showing of the animals, and my absolute favorite, delicious sausage grinders smothered in onions and peppers! The weather was sunny and warm, just right for a day in the country.

There were angora rabbits everywhere I turned and this cute little guy was busily munching on some grass while everyone passing by stopped to run their fingers through his soft, fuzzy fur.

I couldn't resist these baby bunnies, knowing full well I'd be risking a full blown sneezing attack.

Because it was such a warm day, the sheep took full advantage of the small spot of shade to take a well deserved nap after their showing.

I'll bet this beauty is relieved to be rid of that thick curly coat.

This Tuesday the weather was cooperating long enough for us to squeeze our two hours of knitting outdoors. Elaine and Kathleen caught up on knitting projects and grandchildren.

Kathleen finished the baby sweater I showed you last week.

Notice the sweet eyelet design. The pattern was free at

http://www.woolworks.org/patterns/5-hour.txt

Sheila is about halfway through her checkerboard pattern scarf.

And Barbara is almost halfway through the diagonal baby blanket. The yarn she is using is so soft and fluffy that we can all envision this becoming someone's favorite "blankie".

I finished an Elizabeth Zimmermann design called "Pellerine". It was made using Red Heart No Dye Lot acrylic so the nursing home can run it through the hot wash without damaging it. The original design was sewn up 2/3 of the front but I left it open and will look for a jazzy button for the neckline to make it easier to wear.

We'll be checking out Maureen's knitting history this week. She is an accountant so knitting is right up her alley with all it's mathematical properties.

Interviewer: At what age did you learn to knit?

Maureen: I was 7 or 8 when a neighbor taught me to crochet scarves and ponchos. Ironically, I taught my mother how to knit. In 1983, right before I got married, some of my friends from work and I learned how to knit at the same time. I made a sweater and the other two made a blanket and a pair of pants. I didn't knit again until I joined the Chicks in 2005.

Interviewer: Who taught you to knit?

Maureen: My late mother-in-law, Grace Cagino taught me how to knit, as well as crochet.

Interviewer: What was the first item you completed and for whom did you make it?

Maureen: I made a baby sweater for a girl who worked for me.

Interviewer: What was your favorite item knitted?

Maureen: I loved making the Chulo hats from the Berroco site. I made one to send to my daughter who was attending school in Buffalo where she needed warm winter clothing. She loves it!

Interviewer: What was your most challenging project?

Maureen: The baby surprise jacket was the most challenging because I couldn't visualize it while it was being knitted. It was always kind of a puzzle.

Interviewer: What took you the longest to knit?

Maureen: The lap blankets that I made for the VA hospital donation took at least a couple of months.

Interviewer: What do you like to knit now?

Maureen: I love making baby things. The yarns are so soft and they go together quickly.

Interviewer: What is your favorite fiber to knit?

Maureen: I love the soft baby yarns the best, especially the washable blended fibers.

Interviewer: Where is your favorite place to knit?

Maureen: In my family room, in front of a warm fire in the winter.

Interviewer: Where is the most unusual place you ever knitted?

Maureen: Just on a car ride....obviously not while driving!!!

Next week we'll take a peek into the knitting life of another Chick, but for now just keep those needles clicking!

A Day at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival

The weather predictions for this weekend were sounding ominous so I waited until very late Friday night to decide to go to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. As it turned out the sun was shining nicely early Saturday morning when Ron and I left for my annual romp through the fibers.

By the time this billboard shows up there are about three or four more miles to the festival and that's when my heart started pounding with excitement.
We arrived at 9:15AM and already the line was about half an hour long. The wind was blowing across the fields of the parking lot and it was freezing. Ron decided he didn't need to see the sheep that badly and walked back to the car to wait for me in the sunshine warmed comfort. I was all bundled up in my winter coat and alpaca scarf so I was impervious to the cold. Have I mentioned what a saint he is? His parting words were, "Take your time and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about me. I'll find something to do." It's a good thing he had his cell phone with him. I think he called everyone in his phone list. LOL!

Getting there early works out well for me because I don't like large crowds. At 9:30AM this was about as big as the crowd grew. Can't say it stayed the same though.

The first few buildings house the animals along side the vendors. I got a kick out of this sign.

You can see why they would be! Just look at those big brown eyes. How could anyone resist?

This was the biggest, scariest sheep I have ever seen in my life! At one point he had his head over the rail.

Didja have a hard night, goat? Check out the different angles of his horns.

The llamas are cute too.

When I had my fill of the animals and my nose started itching, I knew it was time to move on to check out the goodies. It's amazing what talent people have! This whole village was made of felted elves and animals. It was darling!

And this is the kind of fiber with which they are made.


I love the pastels of this group. But being the sort of impatient person I am, I don't want to spend any time spinning yarn from this fiber. I want to get right to the knitting.


The colors everywhere were beautiful.


And the weavers outdid themselves this year.

I took this photo for my grandson. Look Moose! It's Marlin and Coral and Nemo!

There were other artisans there too besides spinners, weavers, and knitters. Check out the details on this "Lamb-O-Lantern".

What an artist!

Another artist at work hooking rugs.

And speaking of art... This is a spinning wheel, believe it or not! It was highly polished like a piece of fine furniture. Just gorgeous!!!

This gentleman took time out from spinning to play a few songs on his banjo.

Was the Jolly Green Giant here? Did I miss him?

The traditional and contemporary side by side. Somehow it feels wrong to use an electric spinning wheel.

The hand turned drop spindles were beautiful. I almost bought one just because, but I restrained myself.

It's funny how peaceful spinning can be. It's a real meditative act. I don't think she was aware of all the people and animals that were fussing around her.

The same Andean Band was back again this year. Their music floats through the air so I had to buy one of their CDs. Hey Chicks! You'll hear it this week when we knit.

There was a new addition to the attractions this year but I thought walking would be better exercise.

The colors in the trees were just as pretty as the colors of the fibers.

But I was getting hungry and Ron had waited long enough. So I called it a day
and headed back to the car. And in case you're wondering...no, I didn't buy any yarn. Nothing screamed out at me. But I did purchase two handmade dichroic glass beads to make a shawl pin. It was a fun excursion into the wonderful world of fiber and I look forward to next year's festival.