I didn’t buy any yarn at Rhinebeck
Seriously. None. That’s not to say no shopping was done. As you may suspect, I bought plenty. But I only bought what I set out to buy, with the cash we’d set aside for the occasion, and that’s saying something when the fibery intoxication is at full force.
First, though, come the friends. We arrived two hours later than I’d wanted to, thanks to a late start and traffic. This means we got there and walked straight into a massive blogger meetup. Here are only a small handul of the friends I got to see. Billy and I barely used the camera, so this isn’t terribly representative of all the old friends who were hugged and new friends met (and hugged).
Kate and Tadpole!
Blogless Rachel H!
Half the day was spent putting Thumper’s socks back on, which is what I’m doing in this photo. (And of course you know we were visiting with Thumper’s girlfriend Juno and long-distance-doula Stephanie.) Special thanks to the several strangers who ran after us with a baby sock in hand. The great thing about Rhinebeck is that most folks in the crowd are unwilling to let you lose a handknit baby sock.
The blogger meetup really was kind of nuts. Pulled in fifty directions at once and no chance to really talk to anyone. I was overwhelmed. Thumper was overwhelmed. Luckily it was nothing a bit of nursing (for Thumper) and visiting with Claudia and Norma (for me) couldn’t fix.
From here Claudia led me to the Journey Wheel booth to choose a couple spindles. I’d specifically hoped to buy a Bosworth spindle and went home with two. Claudia has this special spindle mojo that helps you choose your perfect spindle on first sight. I don’t understand it, but I certainly benefitted from it.
Ditto for following Cassie around to buy fiber. Good stuff comes of it.
The spindles:
The fiber:
And good news! The kid loves to look at sheep! Thumper says Baaaaaa!
And I can now officially add “strolling around fiber festival while nursing in the sling” to my public nursing repertoire.
Thumper was so excited by his big outing, that the next day at my mother’s house he came theeeeese close to rolling from his stomach to his back. He was right there, but couldn’t figure out how to get his arm out of the way. It won’t be long now…
I saw you at one point later in the afternoon but was too shy to approach. And you were putting one of Thumper’s socks on at the time. LOL
Posted by: Carole
I saw you at one point later in the afternoon but was too shy to approach. And you were putting one of Thumper’s socks on at the time. LOL
Posted by: Carole
He’s getting SO BIG! I swear, he’s more adorable every time I see a picture of him.
That fiber is so yummy-looking, and I don’t even spin.
Posted by: Sarah
*sigh* I am absolutely green with envy! It looks like a wonderful time! Love the baby sweater. 🙂
Posted by: Romi
Isn’t he precious! I think that some of those same Cloverleaf Farms autumn braids followed me home too 🙂
Posted by: Kathy
One of those spindles already looks well-used. Nice!
Posted by: claudia
You’ve probably picked up on this, but I am so smitten with your boy. The fact that he made alpaca-like noises only added to his considerable charms. Hugs to you all.
Posted by: regina
Looks like it was absolutely perfect! And Thumper seems to have taken it all in stride, as one would expect, having a mother like you. 🙂
Posted by: Sneaksleep
He’s getting SO BIG! I swear, he’s more adorable every time I see a picture of him.
That fiber is so yummy-looking, and I don’t even spin.
Posted by: Sarah
*sigh* I am absolutely green with envy! It looks like a wonderful time! Love the baby sweater. 🙂
Posted by: Romi
Isn’t he precious! I think that some of those same Cloverleaf Farms autumn braids followed me home too 🙂
Posted by: Kathy
One of those spindles already looks well-used. Nice!
Posted by: claudia
You’ve probably picked up on this, but I am so smitten with your boy. The fact that he made alpaca-like noises only added to his considerable charms. Hugs to you all.
Posted by: regina
Looks like it was absolutely perfect! And Thumper seems to have taken it all in stride, as one would expect, having a mother like you. 🙂
Posted by: Sneaksleep
I didn’t buy any yarn either. But two spindles. And fibre. Quite a bit of that. And a Hitchhiker wheel. *ahem*
It was so nice to get to see you in person, and you and Billy were very gracious to let me commandere your gorgeous boy like I did. I couldn’t help myself really. He’s just such a perfect wee cuddle.
Posted by: Rachel H
It made me incredibly happy to finally meet you, and even get an extra snuggle at the end of the day. And ah, Bosworth. I love them. But I already have one so my mission was to find one that I love equally. Just, you know, for future reference, Forrester spindles kick spinning butt too 🙂
I was totally overwhelmed by everything too, and was so glad that you were still there at the meetup when we came back from our horrible fries experience. Note to self: next year, bring sandwiches…
So, so happy we got to meet. You’re a sweetiepie.
Posted by: Lee Ann
So so so nice to meet you, and you little fam! Thumper is even more adorable in person!
Posted by: Julia
I think I’m in love with the spindle on the right there. P.S. I dreamed about spinning last night, and I’m taking it as wish fulfillment, and I think I need to pick it up again. Like, in 3 hours when I get home.
When I still can’t get over is watching Thumper turn toward you and smile whenever you were talking. Makes my heart go pitty-pat.
Posted by: Michelle
Bless you, my child. At this moment you seem to have the most posted on Rhinebeck (all right, I’m between teaching two classes, so it’s not a comprehensive search, but it’s been a teasing one) and the deprived among us are grateful.
Posted by: rams
Hi Cari! I said hi to you at the end of the show. I didn’t even notice you were nursing until the end and then all I could think was I hope I can be that relaxed about it when I have a baby. I am in awe of your superior nursing skillz.
Posted by: Jess
And a fabulous debut for Accordion, to boot!
Posted by: JulieFrick
I didn’t buy any yarn either. But two spindles. And fibre. Quite a bit of that. And a Hitchhiker wheel. *ahem*
It was so nice to get to see you in person, and you and Billy were very gracious to let me commandere your gorgeous boy like I did. I couldn’t help myself really. He’s just such a perfect wee cuddle.
Posted by: Rachel H
It made me incredibly happy to finally meet you, and even get an extra snuggle at the end of the day. And ah, Bosworth. I love them. But I already have one so my mission was to find one that I love equally. Just, you know, for future reference, Forrester spindles kick spinning butt too 🙂
I was totally overwhelmed by everything too, and was so glad that you were still there at the meetup when we came back from our horrible fries experience. Note to self: next year, bring sandwiches…
So, so happy we got to meet. You’re a sweetiepie.
Posted by: Lee Ann
So so so nice to meet you, and you little fam! Thumper is even more adorable in person!
Posted by: Julia
I think I’m in love with the spindle on the right there. P.S. I dreamed about spinning last night, and I’m taking it as wish fulfillment, and I think I need to pick it up again. Like, in 3 hours when I get home.
When I still can’t get over is watching Thumper turn toward you and smile whenever you were talking. Makes my heart go pitty-pat.
Posted by: Michelle
Bless you, my child. At this moment you seem to have the most posted on Rhinebeck (all right, I’m between teaching two classes, so it’s not a comprehensive search, but it’s been a teasing one) and the deprived among us are grateful.
Posted by: rams
Hi Cari! I said hi to you at the end of the show. I didn’t even notice you were nursing until the end and then all I could think was I hope I can be that relaxed about it when I have a baby. I am in awe of your superior nursing skillz.
Posted by: Jess
And a fabulous debut for Accordion, to boot!
Posted by: JulieFrick
Oh! Everyone looks so happy and Thumper looks sooo
gorgeous, as usual! Glad you got to meet David in 3-D, finally, and that a good time was had by all!
Posted by: Pippy
Oh, you’re such a gorgeous schmoo. I’m glad you found your spindles, not that I had any worries, what with Claudia in the lead……
Kiss-kiss to the boys. Mwah!
Posted by: Norma
Sounds like so much fun! I wish I still lived in New England!! Reading about your sling experiences before my daughter was born was a big help to me – we are now loving slingdom with a 9-week old. I can’t imagine life without it. Even knitting is possible!!
Posted by: Elinor
So great to meet you, Cari. Thumper is a bundle of cute. Let’s hope the sheep mystique holds for years to come.
Posted by: julia fc
I’m sorry I didn’t run into you on Saturday. I was looking for you though! 🙂 Glad you had a nice day.
Posted by: Karen
I’m jealous – well and trully 🙂
And I give Thumper 2 days and he’ll be over.
Posted by: Alison
Good to see you! Thumper is a sweetie pie!
Posted by: Cara
Oh! Everyone looks so happy and Thumper looks sooo
gorgeous, as usual! Glad you got to meet David in 3-D, finally, and that a good time was had by all!
Posted by: Pippy
Oh, you’re such a gorgeous schmoo. I’m glad you found your spindles, not that I had any worries, what with Claudia in the lead……
Kiss-kiss to the boys. Mwah!
Posted by: Norma
Sounds like so much fun! I wish I still lived in New England!! Reading about your sling experiences before my daughter was born was a big help to me – we are now loving slingdom with a 9-week old. I can’t imagine life without it. Even knitting is possible!!
Posted by: Elinor
So great to meet you, Cari. Thumper is a bundle of cute. Let’s hope the sheep mystique holds for years to come.
Posted by: julia fc
I’m sorry I didn’t run into you on Saturday. I was looking for you though! 🙂 Glad you had a nice day.
Posted by: Karen
I’m jealous – well and trully 🙂
And I give Thumper 2 days and he’ll be over.
Posted by: Alison
Good to see you! Thumper is a sweetie pie!
Posted by: Cara
gorgeous pictures… thumper is very handsome in the accordion!
Posted by: amisha
I’m guessing that by now he’s not only rolled over, but then tried to figure out how to get back again. Arms, as useful as they can be, do seem to get in the way of those early rolls…
It was lovely to see you in person this weekend, although I am sorry my introduction was something out of a ‘deer in headlights’ scene. At that point in the afternoon I was a tad bit overwelmed and not at my best.
Thumper – you are one cute, cute kid.
Posted by: Kristen
Looks like fun! Thumper looks like her really enjoyed himself. I gotta get to one of these.
Posted by: Craol
It was so good to see you and meet Thumper and the mister! It was overwhelming there, and we should definitely meet again where there are a few fewer people, cuz that wasn’t nearly enough time. MWAH.
Posted by: melanie
It was so great to see you and meet Billy and Thumper, if only for 2 minutes. You are one great looking family!
Enjoy the spindles and fibre.
Posted by: Steph
Cari, it was great meeting you, Thumper & Billy in person (I wore red fur vest and had my 7 yr old Liam with me). Hoepfully next year, I will get a chance to sit talk and knit with more people. The crowd was amazingly huge! Enjoy your fiber booty and spindles. I bought my first drop spindle and bag o’ roving (and an obscene amount of STR). Time to learn to spin.
Posted by: Kim P
gorgeous pictures… thumper is very handsome in the accordion!
Posted by: amisha
I’m guessing that by now he’s not only rolled over, but then tried to figure out how to get back again. Arms, as useful as they can be, do seem to get in the way of those early rolls…
It was lovely to see you in person this weekend, although I am sorry my introduction was something out of a ‘deer in headlights’ scene. At that point in the afternoon I was a tad bit overwelmed and not at my best.
Thumper – you are one cute, cute kid.
Posted by: Kristen
Looks like fun! Thumper looks like her really enjoyed himself. I gotta get to one of these.
Posted by: Craol
It was so good to see you and meet Thumper and the mister! It was overwhelming there, and we should definitely meet again where there are a few fewer people, cuz that wasn’t nearly enough time. MWAH.
Posted by: melanie
It was so great to see you and meet Billy and Thumper, if only for 2 minutes. You are one great looking family!
Enjoy the spindles and fibre.
Posted by: Steph
Cari, it was great meeting you, Thumper & Billy in person (I wore red fur vest and had my 7 yr old Liam with me). Hoepfully next year, I will get a chance to sit talk and knit with more people. The crowd was amazingly huge! Enjoy your fiber booty and spindles. I bought my first drop spindle and bag o’ roving (and an obscene amount of STR). Time to learn to spin.
Posted by: Kim P
Cari, it was great meeting you, Thumper & Billy in person (I wore red fur vest and had my 7 yr old Liam with me). Hoepfully next year, I will get a chance to sit talk and knit with more people. The crowd was amazingly huge! Enjoy your fiber booty and spindles. I bought my first drop spindle and bag o’ roving (and an obscene amount of STR). Time to learn to spin.
Posted by: Kim P
It was great to meet you, Billy and Thumper at the Cloverleaf Farm booth. I think I assisted in pulling up the socks 🙂
Your husband gives me hope that I’ll finally get mine (willingly) to a fiber festival…
Posted by: Sarah
Oh my gosh – I don’t know which photo is cuter – the one of you and Kate with the kiddies; the one of you with Claudia and Norma with Thumper; or the last one of Daddy and Thumper. You’ve all got that “breathing fresh country air” look about you!
Nice will-power – I’m bowing to you. Those spindles are beautiful.
(I’m saving my pennies for Rhinebeck 2007.)
Posted by: Steph VW
he gets bigger and cuter by the day! and so well dressed!
Posted by: rebecca
Yay for Rhinebeck-people photos! It looks like a great time.
Posted by: alison
So nice to finally meet ya, Cari! Hopefully next time we can chat longer. 🙂
Posted by: Carrie
twas lovely to meet you in person!
Posted by: laura
Cari, it was great meeting you, Thumper & Billy in person (I wore red fur vest and had my 7 yr old Liam with me). Hoepfully next year, I will get a chance to sit talk and knit with more people. The crowd was amazingly huge! Enjoy your fiber booty and spindles. I bought my first drop spindle and bag o’ roving (and an obscene amount of STR). Time to learn to spin.
Posted by: Kim P
It was great to meet you, Billy and Thumper at the Cloverleaf Farm booth. I think I assisted in pulling up the socks 🙂
Your husband gives me hope that I’ll finally get mine (willingly) to a fiber festival…
Posted by: Sarah
Oh my gosh – I don’t know which photo is cuter – the one of you and Kate with the kiddies; the one of you with Claudia and Norma with Thumper; or the last one of Daddy and Thumper. You’ve all got that “breathing fresh country air” look about you!
Nice will-power – I’m bowing to you. Those spindles are beautiful.
(I’m saving my pennies for Rhinebeck 2007.)
Posted by: Steph VW
he gets bigger and cuter by the day! and so well dressed!
Posted by: rebecca
Yay for Rhinebeck-people photos! It looks like a great time.
Posted by: alison
So nice to finally meet ya, Cari! Hopefully next time we can chat longer. 🙂
Posted by: Carrie
twas lovely to meet you in person!
Posted by: laura
Cari I LOVE this post! Thank you for all the wonderful pictures of the beautiful women I have come to know and love through their blogs. And their babies. THANK YOU! Glad to know you had a great time and didn’t lose any baby socks for good! 🙂
Posted by: Laura
Thumper is gorgeous – and such a lucky boy. I noticed a curiously familiar shawl poking out from under him while you replaced his sock – The Yarn Harlot’s beautiful Wedding Shawl!
On your “small world”: This time will not last long. It seems to go on forever but is really gone in the blink of an eye. Oddly it is not really the big milestones that will stand out in hindsight; it’s the little corners of your day: an especially nice breakfast, a lovely sunrise, a walk that at the time seems like any other. Enjoy your precious small world for now. The larger world will call you soon enough.
Posted by: ellen
Cari I LOVE this post! Thank you for all the wonderful pictures of the beautiful women I have come to know and love through their blogs. And their babies. THANK YOU! Glad to know you had a great time and didn’t lose any baby socks for good! 🙂
Posted by: Laura
Thumper is gorgeous – and such a lucky boy. I noticed a curiously familiar shawl poking out from under him while you replaced his sock – The Yarn Harlot’s beautiful Wedding Shawl!
On your “small world”: This time will not last long. It seems to go on forever but is really gone in the blink of an eye. Oddly it is not really the big milestones that will stand out in hindsight; it’s the little corners of your day: an especially nice breakfast, a lovely sunrise, a walk that at the time seems like any other. Enjoy your precious small world for now. The larger world will call you soon enough.
Posted by: ellen