MEETING FIBER FRIENDS.....THE JOY OF RHINEBECK

Getting together with friends is always fun. Combine that with yarn, food, wine tasting, perfect weather and you're at Rhinebeck. If you've never been to the festival put it on your bucket list. I've attended for about ten years. This year was extra special for a few reasons. First, it was cancelled last year due to the pandemic and I was disappointed. Second, it was my first time out for an event like this in over a year. Third and most important, I was going to meet some of the women I met online at the beginning of the pandemic. We zoom on a weekly bases and have become a tight knit fiber family. We've laughed, cried, celebrated and encouraged each other. Yes I can say we're family.

If you've never been to Rhinebeck it's a weekend filled with workshops, classes, llamas, sheep, food and yarn beautiful yarn, There are books to purchase and usually the authors are there to sign them. You can also find the best assortment of food trucks, New York wines and yes the best hot apple cider donuts in the world. This is just naming a few things. In 2019 for the first time I stayed the entire weekend. I must warn you some people book their rooms or Air BNB's 12 months in advance.

I arrived at 8:15 A.M. ready to go. Gates opened at 9 and the whirlwind began. I had an apple cider donut or two before the line got to long. I hit the button booths and found a new Fiber Artist Dragonfly Fibers and purchased the perfect yarn for Cassapinka's design Your Slip Is Showing. Finally it was time to meet a few of the ladies from my Zoom Fiber Family, Laverne known in the fiber world as Bzypeach and Tenita Brokeandcrafty. Laverne dyes 100% Pima Cotton and Tencel. Tenita works magic on a sewing machine and her bags are amazing. Little Peach as she's loving call, Laverne's daughter, was a trooper hanging with us. Later more of my fiber family arrived Roz known as Crochetroze on Instagram and the diva of Graphghans Shanna of Instagram.com/Creative_stitch_n_diva . We spent the day exploring the booths and meeting people I've followed on Instagram. Laverne and Tenita introduced me to so many people. I hung out with Ashley Hangingonbyastring and Shinkassha Mysocalledcraftlife both on Instagram.

I was in awe as I met Cassapinka. I've spent my time during the pandemic knitting her patterns. I'll continue to name drop. Toni of TLYarnsCrafts, Louis of Brooklyn Boy Knits and Vincent of Visuvio's Crafts just to name a few. All and all it was an amazing day. Pictures are worth a thousand words so I'll share some from my day and hope to meet you at Rhinebeck 2022.

A few ladies from my Zoom Family! Laverne,

Tenita, Roz, Shana and me.

Can you identify any of the fabulous fiber artist in the pictures below. If so tell us who you see in the comments. The amazing stripe sweaters are a new design by Shay of knitandcroshay called Coven Cardigan follow her and watch for the release. If you went to Rhinebeck share your experience with us. Yes the llama wanted to kiss me. 🤣