So, I'm going to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival for book signings in October. Yes, Rhinebeck. For those of you not-yet-annointed (that would be me as well), it is a sheep and wool festival held north of New York City in Duchess County. I have no idea what goes on there--except I hear there's the usual fried fair food, lots of sheep, goats and what have you, and yarn, AND that one should NOT bring suitcases on wheels or other wheel-y items because it makes people mad--further, I am told that it is de rigueur to knit yourself a "Rhinebeck Sweater."

The so-called Rhinebeck Sweater has this interesting lore, something that I've only touched on a bit because, well, I've never been there. I have noticed, though, that there are tons of pictures of knitters wearing their sweaters, and have heard many stories of finish-line knitting in time for the event. I have even heard that some wear their sweaters that are still UFO's.

So, being in the armpit of California--and you know I like knitting sweaters and all--it doesn't make a lot of sense for me to knit a sweater that I won't really ever wear but once. I know it sounds crazy, me being a knitwear designer and all, but I just don't wear sweaters. It's too warm. In fact, as proof, I will make a confession: You all know what I'm talking about when I say that there are a few items in my laundry hamper that keep getting passed over. You know, there's always a top or maybe some socks that get left behind time after time because I just don't need to wear them, want to wear them, or frankly don't want to deal with deciding to do with them. You know about this, right? 

Well, when I did a couple of loads of laundry last night I noticed a sweater that had been passed over many times. So many times, that I think it has been there for at least two years. And that might be an understatement.

Oprah, I'm sure, would have a thing or two to say about me and my hamper.

At any rate, in keeping with the whole Rhinebeck Sweater thing, I decided that I'd make a vest instead. I looked around and I found this class on Craftsy, The Fair Isle Vest, by Mary Jane Mucklestone, and wow, what fun.

Even though I've worked this type of stranded knitting before and worked steeks, I totally appreciated the class. Mary Jane is such a great teacher. And the class is great because I was able to pause or fast forward to places where I wanted information. I confess I am not totally happy with my color choices because the actual motif gets sort of muddy and hidden with my version, but that's okay. My goal was to have a sunny feeling--sort of Southern California style--if you know what I mean.

I knit the second size up. My gauge is pretty close to goal, but because of my long torso, what I'd do next time (and there will be a next time because this is something I might actually wear), is make the smallest size and lengthen the body and work the armhole depth the same as the second size. Does that make sense?

Full disclosure:

P.S. If you want to know where I got the yarn (it's Jamieson's Shetland DK), I found it at Camilla Valley Farm Weavers Supply. They actually have a deal there where you can buy the correct quantities of the yarn for your particular size at a bit of a discount. My next one will be pinks.