Us at the winners barn looking at the winning sheared wool ^
This little guy surveying the scene^ at SOAD Fiber Fest
After all these years the Rhinebeck Yarn Festival has become something of a Mecca or "must do" for enthusiastic knitters drawing huge crowds. Ravelry, popular yarn and knitting authors, craft bloggers...their presence at Rhinebeck add to the frenzy. Unfortunately vendor booths are over-crowded, under-stocked and unpleasantly chaotic. Food purveyors are over extended and long lines for food add to the sense of stress. While we will continue to attend the RYF, it is verging on too big, too successful, just too much.
In contrast, for the first time today Amanda and I went to the Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival & Romney Sheep Show in Washington County, NewYork with my sister (another rabid knitter) and her unbelievably patient husband. In Schuylerville, New York, the SAFF&RSS was a wonderful surprise. 100 vendors, prize winning exhibits of rovings, spun yarns, knitted and other crafted projects, sheep shearings, Gotland, Romney and other breeds sitting peacefully in their individual pens - everything was great. Everyone was so happy to chat and share their experiences. Spinners busy at their wheels were everyone. There was equal emphasis on roving as well as yarns. Spacious; tons of elbow room. Plenty of benches to sit and rest. Just three key food vendors including the 4-H Food Booth. Possibly the world's best fresh donuts EVER. Low key, ernest, calm.
Maybe it was the clear blue skies, the clean, cool weather or the friendly folks. Maybe it was the fact that we could stroll into any vendor booth without being elbowed by a million other New Yorkers up for a day "in the country". Maybe it was the ease, the relaxed atmosphere. Maybe it was the authenticity of a young entrepreneur selling handmade bracelets made from recycled belts for $8.00. Maybe it was the evident, straightforward interest of all in the goodness, pleasures of wool.
Whatever it was that made SAFF&RSS such a great experience, we will likely add it to our list of annual rites going forward. What a great addition to our wool world.
-Chee Mee
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