We are Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre, co-authors of the upcoming book New England Knits (Interweave, Spring 2010). We both live in Massachusetts, but at opposite ends of the state. We've known each other since before knitting ever took over our lives, but our shared love of the craft has made us a team.
While technically NOT in New England, the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY feels like it should be. Last year, on a crisp fall day at that very place, we discussed an idea that would eventually be a book called "New England Knits".
When you cross over the Massachusetts border into New York during prime leaf-peeping season, you can't help but be inspired as a knitter. It's clear that the colder weather is coming. Once inside the festival gates, it's almost overwhelming. People are sporting their newest or favorite handknit.
There are friends, new and old...
left to right: melissa g., cecily, julia, gudrun (www.shetlandtrader.blogspot.com), melissa l.
Fiber producing animals we know and love...
Group knitting projects...
Shopping...
And fair food (yum!)
It was rainy and cold on Sunday, so we were glad that we had taken in most of the Festival the day before. We're already looking forward to next year--after the book launches! Now that the book is in our editor's hands, there should be plenty of time to plan next year's Rhinebeck sweater (Cecily finished several for this year, you can see one of them in the last photo).
We hope to see you next year!
--Melissa and Cecily