The Best Time I've Ever Had With My Clothes On.

This is Rhinebeck.

And this is Rhinebeck.

But most of all, the people are Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck-a-looza. What a glorious day it was, too. Many pictures, kids. Not enough words to express how much fun this day is.

So the story begins. I get there at 9 a.m. sharp, before Joe, before Carol, before Ted, and I head over to see Dr. Mel and David. I had missed Mel and David last year and felt terrible about it, so I made sure that they were #1 on my list. Mel was wearing the kilt. And it is the first garment he has ever made. Unfuckingbelievable. (Carol did lift the kilt--I'll leave it to her to tell that tale.) And of course, I bought some wonderful black baby alpaca top from them.

Within moments, Carol shows up. OK, C, I know this isn't the most flattering picture of you but it does show you in a pensive mood. Or something.

I leave Mel and David to their rapidly increasing line of customers and head back towards the concession stands, where the Wolvies traditionally gather, kinda like flies on shit. Suddenly, I spy the Frecklefaced Girl and the Code Monkey (who inconveniently turned his head when I took the picture but he's a handsome young geekboy).

After all this time of emails, I was very glad to meet Jess and Casey in person. As far as I'm concerned, if this is the face of young knitting, then I'm thrilled.

Jess and Casey came with Ravelry buttons, so I put that one on my right tit, my Rhinebeck Bingo Square button on my left tit. It seemed the esthetic thing to do.

Finally, the rest of the crew shows up: From left, with his back to the camera, it's JoeWi, Ted's friend David (a new spinner and a swell guy!), Fredda hugging Ted. Let the games begin. And to my great surprise, Lars showed up. Appearing from nowhere. We weren't expecting him to come and I was shocked and awed that he had found time in his insane schedule to come.

At this point, it's getting close to noon, time for the Ravelry/bloggers get-together. I perched precariously on a bench to take this shot. Is this fucking incredible or what?

A lot of people came up to me, some with Bingo cards in their hands. "Who are you?", waving the sheet in my face. "Well, who do you think I am?" I always make people guess. Usually they figure it out. But as Ted said, if I'm too nice and gracious, then people won't recognize me. Good point. I should have said, "Who the fuck DO YOU THINK I AM???" But I really tried to be on my best behavior. Kinda.

Honestly, one thing I enjoy enormously is meeting my readers. And I met quite a few, although rumor had it that some people were afraid to approach me. I hear that every year. Come on, people. Get some balls, willya?

Jaya (left) and Monica had balls. And we had a wonderful conversation. The two of them were funny, smart, and a pleasure to talk to.

Oh yeah, and Rhinebeck's all about the food, too. Fried pickles, artichokes, apple crisp a la mode, and whatever the fuck Ted was eating (I think it was one of Thaddeus's sandwiches that he snuck in under security's collective noses.)

I do love these two men so much. I can't ever say how much they both mean to me.

And then it it was time to break out with a rousing verse of O Canada. DUDE.

Yes, it's Lee Ann and Spiff, with Ted's incredible Shetland stole wrapped around her neck. The color was perfect for her and she looked ever so chic. But Lee Ann and Spiff came sans Twinkletoes, much to my great sadness. I completely understand why they chose to leave one of my favorite little girls home with her grandmother. Frankly, were Corinne and Jenn of that age, their asses would have been parked elsewhere too. But I'm always glad to see Lee Ann. Wish I had had more time to spend with her.

Canadians were all over the fucking place. And I have to say, they are some of my favorite people. I was thrilled to meet Veronik Avery in person, finally. We've corresponded at times and I've always felt she was one of our top designers. If I don't get off my ass and get her book, well, my library is still incomplete. Somebody took our picture together but I don't have it. I think it was Carol.

And then...there was the primo Canadienne. With her sidekick Juno. It was showdown at the OK Corral. I walked up to her and threatened to beat the crap out of her. Blood on the streets of Rhinebeck. Just so everyone could see how much we hate each other's guts, which is what they love to think.

Um, sorry to disappoint. Steph's another one of my favorite people. There was no blood, just a big hug. I loved her sweater and damn, I forgot to ask her from whence it came. It was spectacular.

Later on, at Morehouse, which is sadly closing its shop doors in Milan, NY, and moving to online sales completely, I ran into Kristin Nicholas, who took me out to her car to show me her book. Now, having interviewed K for Interweave Knits Winter issue (shameless self-promotion), and having photographed many of the projects for the article, this was the first time I'd actually seen the book. Kristin Knits. It is fabulous. And that's not just because K is my friend, either. It's because she's a fabulous designer. So buy it, already.

Last but not least, here are some pictures I took of winning entries in the knitting and spinning competition. The lacework and the spun boucle were so inspiring, I had to include them here. Because this, to me, is also Rhinebeck.

At 5 p.m., with sore feet, I began my trudge out of the fairgrounds. I was going over to Morehouse (yeah, I bought some laceweight--pictures of the Rhinebeck loot later this week), and then to dinner with Ted, David, Carol and some of Carol's friends at the diner by the Holiday Inn. Except that Carol got the wrong diner, dope-e-lah that she is, so it was Ted, David, me. I was sorry to miss the Ravelry party but I needed some quiet time before I made the 2-hour drive back home.

As I walked out, I saw this woman. And all I can say is, that's the way to end the day at Rhinebeck. Nothing more rare and handy than a beach chair and knitting. Anywhere.

Best Quote I Heard All Day
I have found out there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.--Mark Twain

Other than to Texas, when I went with my dear friend and bosswoman Susan, I tend to travel alone for work.

Like yesterday, to Wilkes-Barre. Now, would you ask anyone to accompany you there? I sure wouldn't. Although the ride up and down the hills was beautiful, with the trees finally turning colors. And then there was the lovely place in East Stroudsburg, where I stayed Monday and Tuesday nights. Ah, the spaghetti sauce was exquisite. (And there's a very nice yarn shop a block away, Mountain Knits and Pearls.)

Next week, I'm off to Hyattsville, MD, for two days. The following week, Danbury, CT. November 13-16 down to Wilmington, North Cackalacky, as the late husband called it. Second week of December finds me in Tampa for a sales training conference. All fucking week.

But this Saturday, it's Rhinebeck. The most important trip of them all, bar none. I will be there at 9 a.m. sharp. I'm looking forward to meeting those of you who are going. Don't hesitate to grab me. I'll be with JoeWi, as he's calling himself these days, along with Carol, Ted, and a few others. But it's people I really want to see, even more than all the fibroid extravagances.

Oh yeah, and once again I'm a Square for those of you playing Rhinebeck Bingo. I still have last year's button, so what the fuck.

Big Muthafucka Needles
OK, will someone tell me why you'd want to knit a scraf in an hour? No, I didn't misspell that. Anything rectangular that poses as a scarf and is knit on these needles is a scraf in my book.

These needles are too big for even Wenlan Chia.

Please. Size 50 is what they are. Nothing new. But Lion Brand calls 'em Speed Stix, somewhat reminiscent of the deodorant. Stix 'em up yer ass.

I want knitting needles that double as vibrators. And light up. The Wolvies will know whence I speak. Now those, I'd buy.

Open Mic Thursday
Somebody, whose name I'm too lazy to look up, wanted to know last week why the Open Mic Thursday appeared prior to midnight, even though the post was marked as 12:01 a.m. Well, because I ain't staying up that late so I cheat every week. Bite me.

This week, I'm in a mood political. I know, generally Joe does that deal; however, I'm highly political and of course, highly opinionated. Neal and I often discuss politics--we're both news and politics junkies--and he's of the opinion that the time is ripe for an independent party/candidate to make an appearance. Here's the topic for Thursday:

Would you vote for an independent, such as Al Gore or Colin Powell, for example, rather than the party choices?

I agree with Neal, completely. It may be the right time for an independent. I am completely dismayed with both parties. As he says, the Democrats are just Republicans in cheap suits. You have to wonder why the fuck the Dems have squandered the opportunity presented to them last November to set some shit right.

Obligatory Knitting Shit
Nothing. Absolutely nothing worth discussing. Just socks. I'm fried so that's what I can do on the train. This is bad, very bad. However, when I catch a breath, I will go back to the several projects that are yet unfinished: The Magenta Diamonds shawl, which needs only the top edging, Jenn's Campanula, and my Lavold that is missing a sleeve. Plus, I misplaced and then found the battery charger for my camera, hence no pictures, even of stoopid socks. But plenty of Rhinebeck pictures will be forthcoming.

Groupies
I have noticed that the KnitDweebs are busy creating dee-liteful groups in the Ravelry forums. Scary. In case you're interested, there is not yet a warshcloth group. So if you're a Sugar 'n' Cream devotee, hurry up and start one. You'll be flooded with members, no doubt.

However, there are plenty of intelligent groups available and I've joined a few. Spin Tech, Historic Knitting, and of course, Jersey Represent, which has a brilliantly written intro to the group that I recommend all Jersey wannabes to read. As they say,

cuz life's too short to be pumping your own gas (especially when there is knitting to be done!)

I only learned to pump my own gas when I became a solo act and had to travel out of state on my own. Now I'm a pro and I wish we could pump our own gas. But it's against the law in NJ. And I believe Oregon also.

So, with that, I will pump my own gas, catch some sleep now, and see you all on the rarest and handiest day of the year. Rhinebeck cometh.

Best Quote I Heard All Day

The Ninety-Ninety Rule of Project Schedules: The first ninety percent of the task takes ninety percent of the time, and the last ten percent takes the other ninety percent--Arthur Bloch

This weekend was exceptionally gorgeous. Much time spent on the deck, in a bathing suit, working on the Campanula's final piece, the second sleeve.

Those two pieces hanging over the railing are dry. I just stuck them there for lack of a better place.

Besides, it made a close-up easier.

The Other Ninety Percent

So now I've finished all the pieces to the Campanula cardigan and now you can see why you must make the effort to block your work.

To the right is an unblocked sleeve, to the left, a blocked front. Don't need to say anything else. As I write this, the shoulder seams are done and I'm about halfway done picking up the front/neckband edging, 337 stitches. The sleeves always go in last, unless it's a raglan, because I don't need the extra weight as I work the band.

Knitting Daily

Don't know if any of you have tapped into this, but Interweave has just started a new bloglike creation, with access to free patterns, many of which were freebies for subscribers via their website or from older issues, I think. Sandi Wiseheart writes it, and although it's certainly a running ad for IK subs, it has a lot of good stuff. Nicely designed web site, too.

The Barbara Walker Chart Project

I've completed several of these transposed chart and now the question is, how am I going to archive them so they will be easily catalogued and downloaded? I have several options, one of which is to put links to them on their own blog, which I may do. The original files will be on my FTP area, which means that you will be able to download the original file. If I just put the chart right on the blog, the size would be too small.

My hosting service offers free MySQL, which is a database, for those who don't know. However, as these charts will be saved as .png files, I'm not yet sure whether I want to go the database route.

It amazes me that some people hate charts. For one thing, they allow magazines to publish much more complex designs than they could if the directions were written out. Plus, they decrease the margin of error enormously. If you look at a 40-row lace pattern written out against its charted version, it's not hard to understand why. And if you train your eye to read them, you'll find that they ultimately make your work much easier.

My own sainted mother fought against learning how to read charts for years. And finally, several years ago, she gave in. Now she hates working without them because she is very visually oriented. So if a woman who's going to be 84 in two months can use charts, what's your excuse?

Upcoming Events

One of the best things about a Sunday morning is often a phone call from Ted. We talk about once a month or so and although I'm not much for chatting on the phone, damn! Ted and I can talk for hours. Just to keep you in the loop, if you read Ted's blog, you'll know he's planning a knitters retreat the last weekend of September. I am going. I'll make the drive from NJ to Canada, absolutely. Because this will be worthwhile.

And then there's Rhinebeck, aka NYS Sheep & Wool Festival. This year, it's October 20-21. I'll be there too, along with a bunch of Wolvies. I can't imagine what I could possibly buy, having taken a keen look at my fiber stash this morning. I'm still feeding from stuff I bought at Rhinebeck two years ago.

However, it's a ways off until the autumn. So I'll continue my rare and handy swimming, and start on a shawl for daughter Jenn. "Because, Moooommmm, you made Corinne a shawl for her wedding last year, what about ME?" No, Jenn's not getting married. But ya gotta make your kids happy. So that's next.