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October 02, 2006
Picture this
Rhinebeck, October 21: I walk into the festival wearing my trekking socks. On top, I have a sweater I finished just the day before. It's gorgeous. And original. And intricate. Around my neck is a lovely scarf or shawl. If it's chilly I even have a handknit hat tucked into my bag... my felted handknit bag...
Can you see it? Lovely, right? Well, it ain't gonna happen. Though I am knitting a sweater, as usual, it's not for me. And though I just finished a shawl, it's already been mailed. I do have hats, though most are to small and the others are missing. My trekking socks are more like trekking ankle warmers for now and will most likely stay that way for several months.
I was talking to my (non-knitting) sister about "Rhinebeck sweaters" and saying that I have nothing to wear, except clapotis or the Union Square Market Sweater (and that only if I get a girdle). She told me that I shouldn't wear clapotis because "that's like wearing the band's t-shirt to a concert" or "like being a Cornell engineering student and wearing your 'Cornell Engineering' sweatshirt to class". Yeah. I know. Non-knitters. You've got to love them, but the whole concept of a sheep and wool festival is foreign enough, without adding the layer of something knit FOR the sheep and wool festival.
So what is a knitter to do? I think I'll live vicariously through my child. Even if she doesn't have a hat, shawl and socks, I'm determined to finish her sweater. If I don't finish it soon, she'll never wear be able to wear it, so I had better get my butt in gear.
Posted by kate at October 2, 2006 01:21 PM
Comments
I am totally wearing the clapotis or "the clap" as I affectionately refer to it....since I made it. I may however be a total dork and pair it with a cardiagn if I can get the *&*^&%^%%$%$ collar on between now and the then. Is there a day a group of you ladies are going...I go every year with my Mom and never meet any of the knitters from the area.
Posted by: lisag at October 5, 2006 08:32 AM
My Mom once wore this sweater from Kohls to the Taos Wool Festival, where she got tons of compliments from other knitters before I ratted her out ;-)
Posted by: Leslie at October 3, 2006 03:41 PM
Hey Baby - Thanks for your message - I am actually going out of town tomorrow, but if I have any good airport or driving time, I will try to give you a ring. Otherwise, I should be around quite a bit next week after Monday. How are you guys doing? BTW, you totally have to finish Crevette's sweater...it's too gorgeous not to! The week I spent in the northeast, I loved seeing my bebe in the little knit sweaters I made for her...
Posted by: Anne-Caroline at October 3, 2006 03:01 PM
I agree with the above comment--you ARE the band! Wear the clapotis and a mini one for Tadpole would be adorable. A fruit hat would also be sweet for the baby and that you could make on your way to Rhinebeck!
Posted by: Mary at October 3, 2006 11:10 AM
That's why I have kids, :) LOL!
And the idea for the mini-clapotis rocks!
Groeten uit Holland
Posted by: knitting ajour at October 3, 2006 03:44 AM
Oh well, when you've got a baby with you all eyes are on her anyway....
Posted by: laura b at October 2, 2006 11:58 PM
Wear the pumpkin.
Posted by: alison at October 2, 2006 10:15 PM
For my two-bits worth of opinion, I'd say that you could absolutely get away with Clapotis of UMSP because . . . unlike someone wearing the band t-shirt to the concert, in this case, you ARE the band. Think of it as performance art!
(Although, yes, of course, Tadpole will be happy to stand for your recent creativity. You could always make her a mini-Clapotis....)
Posted by: --Deb at October 2, 2006 06:11 PM
For what it's worth, I'm in the home stretch of my second Clapotis and I fully intend to wear it in your presence at Rhinebeck. I may even flic my Bic and demand to hear "Freebird."
Posted by: Michelle at October 2, 2006 05:09 PM
I don't think a 6 year old will be able to fit into that sweater now though..... ;)
Posted by: scout at October 2, 2006 04:42 PM
She'll be there with you after all? Excellent!
Posted by: cari at October 2, 2006 04:12 PM
Since it takes me an obscenely long time to finish anything, I'm in awe of women who whip out a "Rhinebeck sweater" in time for the festival. I'll be there, probably dressed in a long-sleeve tee and jeans (a good outfit for shopping, slogging through the stalls and petting the occaional alpaca). You, of all people, don't need to wear anything hand-knitted to Rhinebeck. Chances are good that a fair number of garments being worn there will have been designed by you. Sorta wacky to contemplate, no? I really look forward to seeing you and your fashion-forward Tadpole.
Posted by: regina at October 2, 2006 04:10 PM
