20 Oct 2016 Rhinebeck Recap
The Stitchcraft Marketing team are active participants in the fiber world, designing, knitting, crocheting, spinning with Spinzilla, weaving and attending local and regional fiber events. Rebecca, our account manager who lives in Connecticut, says Rhinebeck is second only to Thanksgiving for her favorite fall events. Here is her recap of the 2016 New York Sheep & Wool Festival.
Rhinebeck 2016
It is no secret to any fleece or fiber fan in the New England or New York regions that Rhinebeck is the place to be each year on the third weekend in October. Unlike last year, it didn’t snow and the weather started out cool and crisp. The days did warm up enough that whatever knit items you started out wearing, you removed by the afternoon. Cable knits and sweater-jackets are popular choices. While there were some beautiful sweaters walking around, I noticed more woven scarves, crocheted wraps, knit shawls, and knit hats. I found it really interesting that I couldn’t pinpoint one or two particular designs that everyone was wearing, unlike last year’s Baable Hats. It seemed that there were more coordinated efforts from groups to make a group sweater or a group hat.
Rebecca’s Local Knitting group and their “Farmer’s Market” tribute hats.
In the Booths
Kits, mini skeins, and gradients are everywhere. It is hard to resist a ready-to-go project like that! Mini-skeins and bundles are also a great way to sample a new-to-you yarn. When packaged with a pattern as a kit, that makes it easy to know what to do with the newest member of the stash. A number of vendors featured a Rhinebeck 2016 exclusive colorway, and a lot more speckled yarns. These are in line with our recommendations to clients that they continue to position themselves with affordable kits ($40-$70 price point).
(Bijou Basin Ranch‘s display. Pam from Louet North America talks about her Leftie Shawl knit in Louet Euroflax and the new Kollage Needle set.)
Walking among the booths is tight as the crowds grow each year. Booth set-up can be tricky, but booths like Bijou Basin Ranch and Harrisville Designs have a good plan in place. Each was consistently busy each time I walked by, yet there was room enough for multiple people to browse and shop without causing a bottleneck in the aisle or having to fight for the yarn you want.
When we attend these events we spot the trends! If you want help turning the latest yarn trends into sales or to consult with you on eye-catching booth design and displays, click here to contact us online or call us at 719-539-3110 to help!
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