Rhinebeck Bound

Like everyone else, we’re blinking in disbelief to find ourselves in the second week of October. Which means one thing: we’re getting very very close to the third weekend of October, when the knitters and crocheters, spinners, and punchneedlers of the Northeast celebrate the pilgrimage holiday known as the New York Sheep and Wool Festival, in Rhinebeck, New York.

One of the country’s largest and most vibrant fiber festivals happens to be our local festival, and we turn out in droves and in all weather—but with any luck it will be mostly beautiful, postcard-worthy leaf-peeping weather. As ever, it will be a weekend jammed with the faces of human and ovine friends, plus the generous lashings of joyful sweater-spotting and cider donut-eating that will get us through the coming winter.

Each year, Ann and I try to make the most of this weekend. It is our dearest hope to run into many readers of MDK and members of the MDK Society so we can thank you in person and see what you’re knitting—and what you bought.

Here’s our schedule

Friday, October 17: A Woolen Affair in Kingston

Before the big festival, nothing could be better than: a smaller festival. Right?

This year MDK is a proud sponsor of A Woolen Affair, a cozy, warmhearted event that takes place on the literal banks of the Hudson River, at the Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, New York. The festival opens at 10 a.m. and runs until 4. Find more information and get your tickets here. It’s a jolly gathering in a beautiful venue, with a stellar selection of vendors who are independent makers from all over.

Where you’ll find us: MDK has a booth near the bar (pure coincidence/dumb luck, we promise) and stage, and we’re bringing our fun photobooth setup with bountiful props created by MDK’s own Miss Hannah Jones. Stop by to say hi and take free souvenir selfies with your gang. We’ll also have MDK’s Atlas and Jane yarns on hand for up-close inspection and in-person squeezing.

Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19: New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck

On Saturday, we’ll spend the entire day at our traditional table in the Merritt Bookstore in Building B on the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. As usual we’ll be slinging and signing MDK Field Guides and winsomely wishing for visitors. Where is Building B? It’s up by the big food court, look for the bookstore sign.

On Sunday at 11 a.m., we’re hosting an MDK meetup on The Hill. You know the hill, don’t you? It’s on the way to the food court, next to the field where they do the sheepdog trials. It’s labeled as “sheep herding demos,” number 7 on the festival map. Look for us waving our Big Heads on Sticks…trust me, you’ll know them when you see them.

This meetup is a chance to meet your fellow MDK Society members, pose for a group photo, or show off your Bolin or your Daytripper or anything you’ve knit from the MDK Field Guides. While meetups at an event of this size can be a bit unpredictable (with so many temptations to distract the festival-goer) we’re hoping for a healthy turnout and a few special guests. Mostly we hope to see YOU.

After that, Sunday is our free-range day. We’ll be roaming around trying to buy cool stuff, and at the same time, not to buy too much cool stuff—always a delicate dance to the death with the credit card.  There is always something that overcomes one’s natural restraint, let’s just hope it’s not livestock. Suburban Nashville is not ready for the Shayne Sheepfold—nor is the freight elevator at Kay’s apartment building.  If you see us, please say hi!

Sunday, October 19: Jill Draper’s Open-Air Party in Kingston

One more treat is in store: we always try to stop in at Jill Draper’s open-air studio party at Robert Post Park in Kingston; this year it’s happening on Sunday from 11-4. Jill and her family always host such a friendly gathering, with homemade eats and Jill’s beautiful woolen wares on full display and for sale. It’s a lovely, relaxing way to wrap up the weekend.

Last year we were smitten by exquisite handwoven blankets and shawls crafted from Jill’s hand-dyed yarn; what will capture our hearts and wallets this year? Get your free tickets here.

Happy Sheep image by Gale Zucker.