Rhinebeck

Stephanie wrote:

We're back from Rhinebeck. What a whirlwind weekend!

On Saturday the mobs invaded before our booth was completely organized. The booth was packed all day long as in "take a number" packed. I know many people took one look at the close quarters and decided to come back on Sunday.

Mona and I did our best to move everyone through the check out process as quickly as possible and at the same time restock inventory.

Our booth was in a horse stall in a barn. It was a crisp fall day. One of the challenges was keeping warm. The benefit of having so many people in our booth was the extra body heat. I was dressed in various layers, but the one thing that helped me the most was my Hoarfrost Neck Warmer.

Sunday the weather was not as nice - damp, rainy and still chilly. The crowd was not as large, but we had a steady stream of people in and out.

Time for taking pictures was at a premium, but I did manage a couple shots toward the end of the weekend.

Doesn't this look cozy and inviting?

This is a yurt made by Mehmet Girgic, a Turkish feltmaker. Mona and I had heard Mehmet speak last spring at a Common Cod Fiber Guild meeting. Mehmet uses natural dyes to dye the wool that he then uses for his felting projects. He creates some beautiful, impressive pieces.

This little boy was so cute.

He was taking Rosie for a walk and paused just long enough for me to take a picture. He couldn't stand still and was rocking back and forth on his heels. Rosie is one strong, sturdy gal.

The view as seen from the back of the barn we were in.

A splash of fall color.

At the end of the day on Sunday the sun decided to make an appearance.

Everyone was busy packing up, getting ready to hit the road. For us that meant a trip home in snow.

Thanks to everyone who came out and visited our booth. As always it was fun to meet so many creative and inspiring people. Special thanks to Nancy for stopping by to show off her Jalapeno Sunrise (ravelry link).

We're not done yet. Mona and I have just a couple of days to catch our breath before heading down to Hartford later this week for Stitches East. The fun continues . . .

Kind Of Blue

Stephanie wrote:

Kind Of Blue . . . the title of one of my favorite Miles Davis' albums.  The phrase sprang to mind when I recently surveyed the efforts from a day of dyeing.

Not that I'm in a blue, down-in-the-dumps kind of mood.  I do find it interesting that from a long list of colors that had to be dyed, I chose most of the blue tone colors on the same day.

The yarn shown is Comfy Sox - Azure above and Peacock below.  These are two examples of blues I dyed in one day - the other two blues didn't make the photo shoot.

In a slight shift from blue . . . I finished this the other day.

This is my second Hoarfronst by Anne Hanson.  The first one I made as a booth sample.  I liked the pattern so much I had to have one for myself and cast on right away.

The yarn is Luster Sox Grape.  I love this yarn - durable, great stitch definition.  And it dyes up with lovely, subtle color variation.  The temps have been cool this week.  If this weather pattern continues, I may need to use this neck warmer sooner rather than later.

I found this bit of color inspiration in my yard.  Lately I've been thinking we need some pink in our color line-up.  Think I can match this? 

Longing for Lace

Stephanie wrote:

I've had the urge to work on a lace project - a nice, substantial shawl.  My eyes wander to various lace patterns online and in magazines. I scan my queue of projects looking for lace patterns I know I have saved for "someday".  Which pattern?  What yarn?

Until I decide I have this tidy little neck warmer to satisfy my hunger for lace.  This is Hoarfrost by Anne Hanson.

This has been a fast moving project.  Well, fast when I don't get distracted by a couple of other projects I have in the works.

This is shown in Twinkle Toes Chile Pepper.  I've been struggling with color and lighting so the color on the website is more accurate.  This pattern has wonderful texture and highlights the color variations of this yarn.  

Yes, this is destined to be a booth sample, but I'm going to start one for myself as soon as this one is off the needles.  And neck warmer projects make great go anywhere knitting.  They are a close second to socks when it comes to a knitting project that travels well.