So there's this NY State Fiber Festival - better known as

Rhinebeck.  I wasn't going to go.  But then, I had enacted this plan to fund my latest desire - I'd sell off my Louet wheel, carder, and various other knitting-related stuff I had accumulated but were sitting unused, and whine and plead my way into re-owning this wheel.  Cate was gracious indeed.  I'm pretty sure that she didn't really want to part with this wheel, but she has at least one other Really Nice Wheel, and my whining was persistent at best.  So she relented, rather ambivalently.  Were I a better friend, I  would have read between the really obvious lines and ... and looked for another wheel ;)

Anyway, I sold a slew of stuff, but one thing was hard to ship - the Louet full sized carder.  Kit wanted to buy it, and queried whether I'd be at Rhinebeck - and could I deliver to Mel and Dave who would provide shuttle service.  And Cate said she had some hotel room - though it might be on the floor or on the hotel chair but I could come.  So I went...and Cate loaded the wheel into her van to boot to complete the round-robin of equipment transactions.

Lookie, it's back:

And it has already seen some spinning action - note the baby camel/silk roving from Foxfire on the distaff. 

While in some ways it was hard to part with the Louet and the carder, I finally admitted that I spun SO much while this wheel resided with me for a bit about a year ago; and I had not spun much (at all?) on the Louet since it left to live with Cate; and really??  Really??  I really don't enjoy the process of preparing fiber.  While it was nice to "have" a carder just b/c they're not cheap and hard to come by without spending a lot of money - it was a way better use of resources to have a wheel I loved.

That said, I liked the Louet while I had it.  I spun a lot of nice stuff on it, especially once I got the woolee winder.  I don't think they're bad wheels. 

I just liked the Norm Hall a whole lot more :)

And to boot?  I got to meet Norm Hall himself at Rhinebeck.  My wheel is one of his older ones (from 1978), he makes much bigger wheels now.  He also makes nice box/tensioned lazy kate's - I may at some point have him make one for this wheel.  He's a great quirky sociable guy - I didn't talk to him long but I liked him.

Aside from that, seeing folks was a treat at Rhinebeck.  I spent excellent time with Kristin and Cate (both hotel room share mates) (Kristin and I shopped together much of Saturday), and met Crystal, and Sarah, and Tara, and caught up with Justine, Leeane, Juno, and really?  Lots of other folks - I am sure I am leaving out many who deserve to be linked. I missed a lot of folks - based on reading all the other Rhinebeck Reviews in Blogland.  Fibery goodness was acquired (the above-mentioned Foxfire roving, some shetland, some cormo/merino you see stuffed into the bag next to the wheel above), and - a spinning stool to boot.  Lastly, a kit from Tongue River Farm - I got the kit with only two skeins of yarn as it'll keep me busy enough for 4 pairs of socks.

As others have said, while the fluff and fiber and wheels were all great, the people are what make Rhinebeck.   This year, I was struck by meeting several folks going through  life-changing relationship reconfigurations.  I probably won't blog about it much, but such is happening at home - Terry and I are separating.  All is ok, the kids are fine, there are no fireworks etc., but some big changes are in the pipeline.  Ultimately, we will both be happier, but before we get to that point, no doubt there will be a large amount of hard stuff to work through.   It's  not a surprise to me that I am knitting and spinning more than usual. 

Skating is still happening, rather well even, though oddly??? I'm skating a little less - and it's more enjoyable.  It's almost like it's no longer a "need" re releasing stress - but more of a joy.  Which really is rather nice.

The only other news I can think of is that I have painted my bedroom - it's not as pink as is showing up in the background of the picture of the wheel above - more a dusty lavender.  One wall is darker, and the accent colors are a deep plum (window trim) and rusty orange (sheets etc.).  I like it ;)

Oh, that plus the obligatory Halloween stress of anticipation by the kids and it's a busy household.  Toby's already obsessing about his xmas list - holy tamole.  Hannah hosted a small Halloween party and did most of the planning and hostessing herself - it was great.

Comments

[Justine]

the wheel is good, I am still longing for one - glad to hear that you are doing ok and really glad that you came!

[mamacate]

It looks very happy back home with you. I don't think it was ever really mine... :)

Have fun!

[katy]

So sorry that I missed you & Kristin & Cate at Rhinebeck. And sorry that tough transitions are happening. But hopefully that wheel will help provide some therapeutic spinning time.