Depending on just how big of a knitting nerd you are, you may or may not know about The New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck NY (aka simply “Rhinebeck”), to which devout knitters from across the globe make their annual pilgrimage. I swore I would get there this year, but haven’t figured out how to make it happen. And now it’s too late anyway, because if you know anything at all about Rhinebeck, you know that no one arrives without having plotted, discussed, planned, knitted and blocked the perfect wow-’em Rhinebeck sweater. Ysolda Teague took it one step further, inviting eleven other designers to join her in designing their perfect Rhinebeck sweater and modeling them (at last year’s Rhinebeck) for her new book, The Rhinebeck Sweater, which, by the way, happens to have the most charming schematics I’ve seen. (Boy, type the word Rhinebeck a few times and it starts looking truly bizarre.) I got to see the collected garments at the trade show in June, but I don’t remember seeing this one, which turns out to be the one I truly love. It is Aunt Fred by Pamela Wynne, named for her Aunt Fred and inspired by the namesake’s goldenrod kitchen. I love a shawl-collar pullover, but I especially love how extra nerdy chic this one is, thanks to the colorwork pattern and color choice. Then again, think how lovely it would also be in a nice ivory and steel grey combo. Bonus points for the seamless set-in-sleeve construction.
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I don’t live that far from Rhinebeck, and I usually go there once a year with my (non-knitter) college roommates, but I have yet to make it to the festival! That book looks wonderful. (Like I need one more…) My son asked me to make him a sweater similar to the Aunt Fred, minus the shawl collar. I’m not good at colorwork, so I said I couldn’t do it. Those schematics ARE charming!
I started planning for Rhinebeck a year ago, and I have my daughter, and best knitting buddy coming with me all the way from Seattle….can’t wait it is one of my bucket list items to check off…can’t wait…these sweaters will be inspiration for me….
That is so awesome.
I want to go this year! This collection makes you want to go, doesn’t it? Beautiful. I’d like to just see what everyone is wearing.
EVERY YEAR I say I’ll go, and then it just comes up at the worst time!
Maybe next year we can put together a contingent!
Let’s do it!
Yes, Rhinebeck is my dream, too! However, I do make a point to go to the two festivals in my area. (Support Local Yarn?) The Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR is nice, but my favorite is the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival in Canby, OR. OFFF is this weekend! Hooray! Oh, and I love Pamela Wynne’s designs. I think that the Adorable Nerd Factor of this design is also enhanced by the super-big nerd glasses!
Totally. She looks so cute in it.
I honed in on that one early today as well…but it is a hell of a lot of colourwork for someone contemplating their first full sized fair isle piece. Love it though.
Yeah, I can either fantasize about it or knit it in a solid color.
For a few random moments I considered knitting the top part of the body – the top third or so – with colourwork and the rest solid mustard…but think even THAT is crazy talk.
Think I need to get back to my xmas balls. ;-?
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! haven’t decided which sweater I’ll knit first – love them all. But unlikely I’ll make it to Rhinebeck before 2015. thankfully, I think these designs are classics and it will be ok to show up a year late!
And you have plenty of time to do the knitting between now and 2015!
hope you make it to Rhinebeck next year Karen! i live about 45 minutes away and it’s one of my favorite weekends of the year. i am often there all 4 days (classes begin on the Thursday & Friday before, which i prefer, so as not to cut into my shopping and socializing time on Sat/Sunday). my favorite thing is checking out all the awesome knit- and crochet-wear on parade. i’ll try to take lots of pics for you this year! i’ll be happy to be your on-location reporter if you like ;n) here’s my post from 2011: http://hodgepodgefarm.net/?p=2440
You shouldn’t tell me you’re that close — I might turn up on your doorstep looking for a patch of floor to sleep on!
But I might take you up on that on-location reporter idea. And you’ve given me another idea as well.
people threaten that all the time ;n)
but know that you are always welcome! i have a friend who comes down from Toronto every year for it, and i imagine one day i’ll have about 10 people camping out here annually!