Warning: Long post with lots of pictures ahead!!
My first Rhinebeck experience was AMAZING. If I had to describe it in just one word I would use the word “Community”. As much as the sights, sounds, food, yarn, and everything else was wonderful, it was the PEOPLE who made my Rhinebeck phenomenal. So many lovely people all in one place. The love and joy was palpable in the air.
So, I drove up partway on Tuesday night and stayed with a friend, then drove the rest of the way Wednesday. My AirBnB was simply the quaintest spot ever. A 1750s house with a private room with bath attached. And sheep just outside the window, too.
My classes were all day Thursday and Friday. (All 4 of them sold out, I was blown away!) I really lucked out and my classroom was inside in the Foster’s building – which was really nice on the Thursday when it was so wet and rainy.
On Thursday I taught Double Knitting and then Mosaic Knitting. My students were fantastic.
On Friday I taught A Sampling of Short Rows and Estonian Decorative Stitches. Again, my students were fantastic. (I forgot to take a picture of my short row class, oops.)
Friday night I splurged and had dinner alone at Reginato Ristorante on the other side of the river closer to my BnB. The food was so good. It’s a lovely spot. I felt a little out of place among all the romantic couples dining, but my waitress took good care of me and I had a wonderful meal.
Saturday was the festival. I only had one day to take it in, since I needed to drive back home to NC on Sunday in order to be home for Monday. Let me tell you, I had heard that the festival is huge. I had NO IDEA. Wow. Huge is an understatement. You need two days to see everything, really. I was wishing I could stay another day. I met so many wonderful people, and ran into so many of my students – who now all felt like good friends. (A bonus benefit of having taught leading up to Saturday!) I got such lovely feedback and compliments from my students, they really made me feel special. <3
I met Kristy Glass for the first time (she’s so sweet!) and she filmed me for her Rhinebeck sweater video – and even gave me a prize! How cool is that!?
I accosted Stephanie Pearl-McPhee for a photo, I met my vintage knitter crush, Sydney, and got a photo with her, and ran into Alison and Julia and got photos with them to! (We’re totally plotting a pre-planned vintage girl meetup for next time!) And I ran into a student from my Estonian lace class at Galina’s booth, and saw her Orenburg shawl (so gorgeous!!)
I tried to wait in line for cider donuts, but couldn’t do the long line – so I got an apple crisp instead. I had a lovely corned beef rueben for lunch, got some hot apple cider, and bought way more wares than I planned to. (But I have no regrets!)
Yarn: Neighborhood Fiber Co Rhinebeck colorway and White Birch self-striping sock in colorway “Nothing Says Screw You like a Rainbow”.
Buttons from Dusty’s Vintage Buttons (I love Michelle! Have to buy buttons from her whenever I see she is vending!)
Shearling slippers from Shepherd’s Flock, since I heard his stuff was wonderful, and he was retiring on Sunday after the show and was selling out. I snagged the next to last pair of Women’s slippers in my size.
And of course, festival souvenirs. (I was smart and pre-ordered these! The line for the souvenir tent never got short on Saturday!! It was a sight to see.)
I also watched some of the herding dog demo, and the agility course dogs too. And I saw lots of cute animals!
I drove partway home on Saturday night (that was an adventure, if you follow me on Instagram you’ll have seen.) And came the rest of the way home on Sunday. And now I’m prepping to leave tomorrow for SAFF to teach for 4 straight days. Whew.
I will be back to Rhinebeck – hopefully as a teacher again (I do so love teaching knitters!), but if not, certainly as a participant. It was an amazing experience.
Until next time (probably this time next week with a SAFF recap!), Happy Knitting!!