Rhinebeck Roadtrip

Overnight stay at the Best Western in Poughkeepsie and a new job as a doorlady ...$65.00

Assorted Brooks Farm and Spirit Trail and other goodies yarn haul ...$165.00

Apple Crisp ala mode .... $5.00

Riding in the mini van with Nancy, Katy and Sue .... PRICELESS

This past weekend was the infamous Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. It was my first time at any sort of wool extravaganza and let me say it was a little overwhelming at times. The amount of wool, roving, fleece and handspun was wild.
I had the absolute pleasure of riding up to the festival with the best bud Nancy and of course Katy and her mom Sue.
We all had our budgets planned and a plan of action... sock yarn first and then the rest of the fair. Of course all the Socks that Rock was gone in 2.5 seconds when the doors open but I was very happy with my Spirit Trail and a good deal on Lorna Laces and Koigu.

I am simply in love with my Brooks Farm haul and some people in my life will have some great gifts this holiday season.

Overall the festival was fun, I don't know how often I will return and I did hear that it was not as exciting as last year and it is getting as crowded as Maryland...It was amazing to see so many lovers of our craft in one location.

I had a ball joking around and handing out with Sue and Katy. It was the first time that I have met them, and they made the long ride on I-9 so much fun.... silver diners, subaru dealerships and FDR will never be the same again.

At the blogger meet up I was able to see some familiar faces again, and I met some new friends. It was like a knitting fashion show and high school reunion all in one. Who would believe that fried articokes could cause such havoc or people hiding to eat fried dough in private would be so scandalous.

So I have finished my first Magic Loop sock, its a worsted weight winter sock.. and it does knit up fast. Lets see how much I like it when I am working on #1 needles. But it will be great when I have to do all those hats next week.

Duck ... Duck... No Goose

Here's my duckie, well... here is Zoe's Duckie.

I was asked by a co worker to make a duck for his niece Zoe. It seems that there is a love for ducks in the household and he wanted her to have a special duckie ... later on I added her name to the front of the duck.
I find a certain amount of joy in knitting up toys and putting all the final touches on them. One of my favorite toys book is Knitted Toys by Fiona McTague. I have made the dolls and I will make more from the book in due time.




















I used Dale of Norway- Baby Ull on this duckie and with Treasure Island closing I have to settle for another type of stuffing that wasn't fun to work with. I was on a time constraint so I couldn't order in some special stuffing.

Sorry for the short post today...I have to swatch for my mom's cardigan.

Next time .... Rhinebeck Recap.

A Summer top...Just a little late

So I finally finsihed it... just a little late. Here is the summer tank top from the Sexy Knits Book that was released this summer. I had started this in late June for a co worker Denise. She loved the pattern and asked me to put it together.

Something that could have been done in a month or so took me three
Something that I could have done on circular needles, I did on straights
And this Summer tank top 2006 will be worn Spring 2007.... Oh well

After Denise understood that I would not have the top ready for the end of the summer she was happy when I was finally done when it was handed over to her.

I was so happy to finally see it put together and looking like a top. Its the first adult top that I have put together that worked. It looks like something wearable, and pretty.


The ruffle edge was the hardest part, and the most tiring thing to do. I was up putting it together until 3 in the morning finishing that edge and then casting off those 400+ stitches. Cascade Fixation was a lot easier to work with than I thought even with the elastic in it. And completed piece is a little heavier than I had imagined, but most important thing to me was that IT FIT PERFECTLY !!!

Here is the pretty Denise modeling the tank top for me and it fit her perfectly. I was so worried since the top has a stretch to it.

And the back looks good too.

I am so proud of me ...