You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby. (Nothing to do with this blog post; just a song I'm listening to.)

While it seems like everyone I "know" is at Rhinebeck this weekend I know that it is simply not true. For example, I'm not there. Either are thousands of unlucky so-and-so's who wish they were, but aren't. If you are reading this, then you are either wondering what the heck Rhinebeck is, or you know all about it and didn't go, either.

I read a blog post recently--can't remember who said it--to the effect that knit bloggers and people who are in the design/writing business as knitters are a cliquey group. In some ways I think that is true. I've never considered myself a "part of the group" but that is because I never really go out in public to these shindigs. I guess I'm sort of shy and feel more comfortable staying in the wings and observing. I will also say that recently I ventured out and met a lot of other folks that I used to "know" but am happy to say that I now honestly know. And it's fun.

But I do want to go to Rhinebeck at some point. Why? Well, first, I have never stood next to a real sheep. I've stood next to a horse but never rode one or sat on one. I have seen an elephant from far away. Snakes? I see them on a daily basis (well, when I'm out walking and it happens to be the season) and rabbits litter my front yard with poop pebbles. But sheep? No sheep around here.

Which reminds me. I recall a day about 15 years ago when HWWV and I were driving somewhere, probably up north to San Francisco to visit my grandparents. Anyway, there were cows along the roadside. We saw them up on the foot hills. "Cows!" he sputtered. "I see cows! Those are cows, right?"

And, I was like, "Uhm, yeah. That's a cow. Were you born on Mars or something?" And then he explained his long stint in a foreign country that is too small to have cattle except of course they have polo ponies and then another long stint at a boarding school where he only wandered far enough away to hit a pub or two.

So, Rhinebeck: I think I need to travel to the other coast and check out some sheep. And meet some folks who I sort of "know" but never saw in person before. That would be nice. I need to get out more.

BTW: I've been obsessed with slip stitch patterns and re-formatting them so they can be knit in the round. I have knit three cowls in different weights with this herringbone pattern. If you find the right yarn with the right amount of sheen the herringbone really stands out. The cowl actually looks as if it were woven, but it's knit. Not to mention, all you need to do is to slip every other stitch for four rows and then slip every two stitches for awhile. (We can blame the Missoni/Target debacle for the inspiration.)