Fun
Ann and Kay Went to Rhinebeck
I’m writing this three days after our weekend in the Hudson Valley for A Woolen Affair and the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (a.k.a. Rhinebeck).
Confession: your correspondent is happy and bone-tired. Four days of fresh air, nonstop joy, and yarn fumes will do that to a person. All I’ve wanted to do since dropping Ann off at LaGuardia (and driving straight back there because she had the fob to my keyless car in her bag—that was fun) is sit and knit and look out the window in cozy silence, flipping through my memories and patting my pile of new yarn.
We kicked off the weekend on the literal banks of the Hudson, in Kingston, New York, at A Woolen Affair. As a proud sponsor of the festival, MDK had a booth by the music stage and bar, which felt like the best seat in the house.
We shipped and lugged our 57-pound photo booth all the way from Nashville, plus a bunch of props to add pizazz to the souvenir photos taken by festival goers. The wind off the river did not deter us one bit, it just made us grateful that we were wearing wool.
Thank you to every single person who stopped by, and especially the MDK Society members who answered our call to identify themselves and say hi. It was so fun to put faces (and sweaters) to names.
To organizer Catherine Clark and her team of detail-oriented, friendly helpers we say: you knocked it out of the park, and we can’t wait to do it again.
The Weekend
Saturday and Sunday were devoted to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival, across the river in Rhinebeck. The weather was glorious, and the sweater spotting did not disappoint. People showed up and showed out with enough energy and beauty to amp up the world-weariest knitter. My queue, like the Grinch’s heart, grew three sizes this weekend.
Up top, a few snapshots from our whirl of a weekend. If you’ve got a fiber festival coming up in your area—paging all Carolinians: SAFF is this weekend!—all I can say is: GO. You will be coasting on the knitterly joy for weeks and months to come, I promise.
(And yes, the So Mush Room hats, designed by Ainur Berkimbayeva, were incredible.)
Breaking News: I Bought Yarn
I’ve been going to Rhinebeck and its satellite festivals for decades at this point. I tell people I don’t buy yarn at Rhinebeck because I get overwhelmed, paralyzed by the pressure to decide among such riches and such crowds. I generally come home with new wooden spoons from Chester P. Basil’s (if you know you know), a book or two, and maybe a tchotchke, maybe not.
This year I made a total liar of myself. I got three (!) sweater quantities of yarn.
I couldn’t be more excited about this unprecedented haul and my plans for it. I have a whole rationale about why I needed to buy each of these yarns, so don’t come at me, fellow Marie Kondo-ites. Every bit of it SPARKS JOY.
Sweater Quantity the First
In a rare festival appearance, A Verb for Keeping Warm was at A Woolen Affair. It was a delight to see co-owners Kristine Vejar and Adrienne Rodriguez, who are renowned for their natural dyeing and foraging skills and the supreme quality of their California-grown wool yarns. Ordinarily one has to go to their Oakland shop to see these yarns in person.
They had me at indigo.
These skeins of indigo-dyed Nibble are destined for my very own version of The Twigs, a design by Junko Okamoto that I’ve coveted for what seems like a lifetime. Nibble + twigs = destiny, right?
Solid shade Indigo Blue Sky will be my main color, with two-tone Cumulus for the twiggy colorwork. The pattern calls for a second contrast color, so I got a skein of a lighter indigo, Bay Sailor, that I may not use since the Cumulus has two colors built right in.
Winding the first two skeins by hand was thrilling, and I can’t wait to cast on.
SQ II
I was again drawn to acquire a yarn because of its rarity, at least in my world: La Bien Aimee’s marvelous laceweight, Helix.
The sweater I have in mind is Midori Hirose’s Paul Klee Sweater. They had a beautiful sample and swatches in their booth.
SQ III
This is the only one that was truly an impulse purchase. Chirping something about an “evening sweater,” Sarah Ross bounced into our booth at A Woolen Affair clutching skeins of Love Child, a hand-dyed silk mohair from Wishbone Yarn, in a murky-twinkly shade called Owl Call.
My heart went boom, and I crossed that room to see this marvelous yarn and the sample of the evening sweater, and that was that. That was also that for Ann. We don’t know what hit us, or what bug bit us, but we’re not sorry.
I’ve already changed patterns for my evening sweater; the current pick is Ranunculus, another longed-for knit. I may be late to the Ranunculus party, but I’m happy to join it with a wispy, open layer to wear for festive winter gatherings, assuming I can get it knit up in time! I’m nothing if not unrealistically ambitious at all times.
Oh Kay what fun!! You really bring the joy in this post. So glad you had fun. I decided this year to check out the Fiber Festival of New England with my newly knitting addicted sister. Should be a ball!
Last year as I was in the area unexpectedly I visited Rhinebeck as a novice and then learned about the New England festival 2 weeks later. it was about 30 minutes from where I was staying in Ct. Loved it, especially as many of the venders I either missed or purchased from at Rhinebeck were there. I was able to fill in some holes and get some other treasures. Unfortunately we are back home after Rhinebeck and will miss the back-to-back this year. Enjoy!
Thank you for sharing your joy!
Great pictures, beautiful yarn and inspiring enthusiasm.
It was nice to meet you and Ann in the Merritt Book area at Rhinebeck. I thought it was a great day – a treat for the eyes. I likewise came home – unexpectedly with a SQ of Harrisville Designs yarn for a colorwork yoke sweater they had on display. After I spent the preceding weeks telling my husband – I’m not buying any yarn – I have plenty. He insisted!! I relented – yahoo!!
Kay- loved your posting. I enjoyed meeting you at A Woolen Affair. It was a wonderful venue and for those who haven’t listened to their Playlist, I highly recommend it. And of course Rhinebeck never disappoints. Between the two events I’ve added 10 new projects to my already packed queue!
Also late to the Ranunculus party! I’ve been standing outside the doors for a year with some linen for mine. Let’s sashay in!
So fun to hear of your Rhineback exploits, Kay. And that fob story rings a bell for me and probably for a lot of people. Some of us are not built for fob life. But besides that, the evening sweater SQ looks so tempting. Not my usual palette but gorgeous is gorgeous. Hmmm…. Have been a regular at Maryland S+W for years before we moved and have given SAFF a try. Not very big back then but I did find some beautiful hand-dyed yarn. Worth the trip! But Rhinebeck still eludes me. Maybe one day….Until then first-hand reports are so welcome. Thank you so much! Oh, and knitters don’t leave out local Farmer’s Markets. Small batches. Sometimes scrumptious opportunities.
Yes to farmers markets! One of the vendors at ours raises Leicester Longwool sheep for their wool. They are considered a rare breed, so of course I had to buy some to try. I’m loving how it feels, both while knitting and worked up.
We attended on Saturday and it was the best day ever. The yarn, the people, the donuts, everything. So many gorgeous sweaters and smiling people. Wonderful to see Kay and Ann.
It was very nice seeing you both once again, at the Merritt Book Store in Rhinebeck!
The storm hats are great! I didn’t see them! Can’t wait for you to cast on and start showing and watching your choices come to life!
Rhinebeck is truly a blessing!
Until next year!
Suppose to be mushrooms hats! Silly auto correct keeps correcting!
Sorry about that!
So happy I got to say hi Saturday afternoon and show off my society pin. Love you two and I already have FOMO for those SQ treasures.
Wait, what is the name of that sweater with vertical, circular stripes in the centre of the photo, please?
I think that’s a Kate Davies sweater.
So glad to finally get to Rhinebeck, and extra special to meet you both. Been to SAFF many times but a move north is leading me to the New England Fiber Fair.
Time to renew my MDK Socirty membership!
Yes…I want to know too 🙂
I think, if I’m understanding your description correctly, that you’re referring to the Petunia Pullover, also designed by Ainur Berkimbayeva for Purl Soho!
Kay- loved your posting. I enjoyed meeting you at A Woolen Affair. It was a wonderful venue and for those who haven’t listened to their Playlist, I highly recommend it. And of course Rhinebeck never disappoints. Between the two events I’ve added 10 new projects to my already packed queue!
What is the pattern of the jumper Sarah Ross is wearing in the picture please?
Sorry I don’t see a photo of Sarah Ross wearing a jumper?
Nice haul!
The Twigs will be stunning in thst yarn.
Every year you make me long to go. I may have to do it next year.
And come bsck to the knitting and cozy silence and new yarn -aah
Thanks! I can never see too many photos of Rhinebeck. More is always better!
It looked like a marvelous time. The Mush Room Hat put a smile on my face being so uniquely cute. Please let us all see the Ranunculus Sweater once finished. The yarn is beautiful.
Except for 2020 this is the first Rhinebeck I’ve missed in about 12 years!
Thank you for sharing that! Sounds as wonderful as ever! Unfortunately this year I did too many yarn crawls and online binging that I just had to say no ( one last time). I’m making my resi for Rhinebeck 2026 now❣️❣️❣️ love you both sooomuch!
This New Orleans girl came home after doing Woolen Affair, Indie Untangled, and two days of Rhinebeck —- and I had never been to any fiber festival! My wallet is empty and my feet still sore, and I wouldn’t change any of it. Wow!
It was so fun to see you experiencing it for the first time!
Sometimes you just have to give in to spontaneity! Like your Owl Call, I saw MY colors at Ginger Twist (Breakfast with Ginger a Caribbean aquamarine) in Suri Silk lace-weight. I had not clue what I would do with it. I bought a skein. When home I ordered two more for my first ranunculus (held together with a sport weight because I live in Maine). Given tariffs now and cost no matter what and postage, I have now purchased ready to dye 74-26 suri-silk and am working on dyeing wool lessons to build on my dyeing cellulose / cotton fabric skills. Diving in deep is FUN!
“I’m nothing if not unrealistically ambitious at all times.” Same here, sister! I’m going to crossstitch this onto a pillow, once I learn to cross stitch and get some other knitting projects out of the way.
This!!
Thanks for sharing all your fun vibes from the festival. Loved that you too had to have some impulse buying. The photos just makes me want to be at a wool festival…right now!
Dear Kay,
Thanks for the fun post and photos!! Great to see Natalie and Robin!
About that SQ1 — you know that cool sweater that Judy Flores did? It’s on her IG feed in June. Well, that’s what came to my mind when I saw the SQ1 yarn. Just saying . . .
Looking forward to seeing all three sweaters when you are finished.
If you’re talking about Judy’s Boro cardigan, I’ve got the yarn for that one already, it was quite a project to gather all those colors!
I am a West Coast girl so haven’t made it to Rhinebeck…yet. I will be a Sacred Sheep in a few weeks and am looking forward to getting high on yarn fumes.
So happy to see Verb was there. I have taken natural dye classes at their shop and even got to use their indigo vats! For any other West Coasters, it is a great experience.
Have so much fun at Sacred Sheep. That’s one I want to get to!
Love the Indigo from Verb, especially the combo of the blue and gradient blue. If I still remember the photo so vividly in March 2026, may be in my basket too during the Bay Area Yarn Crawl. Glad you are able to experience.
I love living vicariously through your posts. It sounded like lots of fun. I’m also impressed with your reasonably amount of yarn. I guess the definition of reasonably is in the eye of the beholder.
Kay! FANTASTIC yarn choices! Indigo Twigs: a heavenly idea. LBA Paul Klee? Brilliant. A murky-twinkly silk mohair Ranunculus? Wonderful.
Well done all around, you. Obviously, it was another great Rhinebeck party!
Love the pictures from Rhinebeck!! So many smiles and happy yarn buyers!!
you won’t be sorry about knitting a ranunculus. I’ve knit 3 (so far). One of them is a dress. I just kept on knitting! I know I have more ranunculuses (ranunculi?) still in me. its such a fun pattern and a great sweater
Curious about the gradient plaid sweater in the header photos. Can anyone identify?
I am so lucky to call A Verb for Keeping Warm my LYS. I have known Kristine and Adrienne for several years and love their yarns and philosophy. Indigo is one of my favorite colors. I haven’t seen Nibble yet, will do so at my next trip to the store. Kay, I’m glad you and others got to see their yarns in person.
Everything about Wishbone Yarn is wonderful – Lily’s dedication to sustainability (which includes using rainwater for her dying & all solar energy), her unique color sense – ‘murky twinkly’ is a perfect description of many of her colors! – the luscious bases she chooses, and especially her kindness and graciousness which means there is great karma in each skein. Your Evening Sweater will be lovely!
It was SO nice to see you both at our rally and protest here in Rhinebeck, with Hudson Valley Strong, local branch of Indivisible. My brain was confused at first – isn’t she the lady from the internet? I was a little stunned and speechless. But of course you were in town for Sheep & Wool – duh, silly me.
I’m disappointed that you didn’t mention your presence at the rally and march in your post about the weekend. We had a glorious time, talking with neighbors, petting their dogs, singing, waving signs and walking in the sunshine to the stoplight our charming downtown. Smiles were everywhere as we celebrated our love of DEMOCRACY. Taking a stand against authoritarian takeover is crucial. When you have a public platform, it is MORE IMPORTANT than ever to Speak Out. It takes courage to part of the resistance. It also takes risk. This blatant disregard for law and justice, this disrespect of our country’s traditions, allies and our own citizens will not end without us risking some comforts.
Love all of your yarn choices. I would have gotten them all as well! The Paul Klee has been on my dream list for a while.
The indigo yarns are beautiful and the colors of the final yarn are very enticing! Enjoy your projects.