Please forgive the groaner of a screen name. I’m allowed to gush a little. You see, usually I sit in an office all day long wondering where my red stapler went. But sometimes I get to tag along with my yarn-pusher friends when they go on road trips to fibre festivals. Yay for me!

First things first - we crossed land AND water on this pilgrimage, the nautical portion being a ferry across Lake Champlain. I could be wrong but I think Mary enjoyed herself.

Molly Ann meanwhile proved that she can knit with laceweight yarn in galeforce winds.

And how excited were we upon arrival to discover that our hotel was a nostalgic hilltop haven right out of the Borscht Belt heyday! If you’ve made the trek to Rhinebeck you know it can be a challenge to find lodgings within a yarn’s throw of the festival that don’t smell like mould, never mind a place with character. Make no mistake, this was no palace. But the Skytop Motel (or KYTOP MOTE , according to the aged neon sign) has a steakhouse (or STE KHO E) and it’s just a short drive over the bridge to Rhinebeck. If you’re lucky you might see the ghost of Red Buttons walking the halls.

When we finally made it to the fairgrounds, at first there was a lot of this:

But we quickly got our bearings and soon there was a lot of this…

… and a good deal of this:

… not to mention some unbearably cute fibre-bearing animals

For two whole days of serious fibre-hunting, it was important that we keep our strength up. I think it is safe to say that we ate something every 45 minutes. The fried artichokes seemed like a good idea, but left us feeling a little like this:

We met knitters from near and far, some new faces and some familiar, including a couple of Montrealers who we were pretty sure were stalking us (or us them..? hmmm…)

In the author’s tent we met a fellow Canadian and some lovely Americans who left their mark on us…

…and then let us knit a guest row or two on their afghans

And like many, we were thrilled to meet the proud parents of the newest knitting phenom, ravelry. I was especially thrilled to be “pinned” into the club, even though I’m not a beta tester - seriously, I think this is my favourite Rhinebeck 2007 souvenir (thanks frecklegirl!)

Now I know a Rhinebeck blog post is supposed to close with a photo and the vital statistics of my purchases. As a guest (pseudo?) blogger I’m going to buck this tradition. Suffice it to say the current man in my life has examined said purchases and approves.

It seems that the ‘verse is full of blog posts about Rhinebeck right now, but I would like to extend a thank you to the lovely Stitchy McYarnpants and the fine fine gentlemen of A Craftsman’s Touch / Red Maple Sportswear for hosting and holding the Rhinebeck Blogger Bingo. We met people we wouldn’t have ever known and it was a great excuse to go up behind people and utter the gentle words, “Why, hello there fellow square”.

Unfortunately, though we met many fine players and squares, we did not show up on any one person’s card. Which makes me sad, because we have a gift. Just. For. You. Yes, though many others received this same gift, we had You, yes You! in mind when M.A designed it. So this goes out to the player(s) who had us on their card, but couldn’t find us. Please! Drop us a line! We have something for you!

(We were prolly busy petting this guy.)

Anyway, thanks again Mizz Yarnpants. Until next year!

Longest title ever.

But I ask you, does this look familiar?

I’m starting to think that it’s following me.  .  .  I’ll know that something’s up if it’s in my inbox full of student essays today.

We had such a good time at Rhinebeck (kittens! puppies! llamas!), and met so many cool people (knitters! bloggers! writers!) that it is going to take many a post to tell you all about it.  So stay tuned!

Hey Everybody! Rhinebeck is right around the corner, and we need to give all the Saturday and Sunday Players a little hint as to what we look like. I doubt we will be looking so on-the-town fancy, or be surrounded by so many drinks (at least during the day). We will be carrying an official “I’m A Square” carrier bag, (and NOT these). One can’t carry a carrier bag without some swag in it. So if we are on your card, and you find us, you might just get a little something for your troubles!

See you all there!