tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273833632024-03-13T12:02:37.284-08:00Knitting WeatherIn Juneau the weather is always fine, if you're a knitter.kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-15210810337923488362009-05-01T14:17:00.001-08:002009-05-01T14:19:11.216-08:00Picking up where I left off..If I just start chatting about the latest finished project and the weather will you not notice that I have been gone for a very long time? I haven't meant to be. All is well here. My best excuse is that I started a new job a few months ago and for a time it was all consuming. Since the knitting wasn't progressing, I couldn't motivate myself to blog.<br /><br />When I finally realized my niece's wedding day was fast approaching, I got serious about her gift, which had been languishing on my needles. I nearly made it, too, but five days before I was to leave for her wedding, I used up my last bit of yarn (including the test swatch yarn which I unraveled and used in the vain hope that it might suffice) and still had 18" of edging to complete.<br /><br />I immediately ordered another skein and it actually arrived the day before I was to leave. I finished up the knitting but left the blocking until my return last Sunday. And now, at last, without further ado ..<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SfpOtoiQevI/AAAAAAAAA58/yVrwPrZ0x08/s1600-h/Girasole_full.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330659654828587762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SfpOtoiQevI/AAAAAAAAA58/yVrwPrZ0x08/s320/Girasole_full.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SfpOoXQ_2tI/AAAAAAAAA50/PRTTlf9wOTk/s1600-h/Girasole_center.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330659564293446354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SfpOoXQ_2tI/AAAAAAAAA50/PRTTlf9wOTk/s320/Girasole_center.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong> Giralsole</strong> for Jeanne and Lou</p><p align="left"><strong>Pattern:</strong> <em>Girasole</em> by <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/">Jared Flood</a></p><p align="left"><strong>Yarn:</strong> Cascade Pastaza in Doeskin Heather (14 skeins plus a little bit of a 15th)</p><p align="left"><strong>Needles:</strong> US Size 10 Knit Picks options (and dpns)</p><p align="left"><strong>Finished size:</strong> Nearly 7 feet in diameter!</p><p align="left"><strong>Modifications/Notes:</strong> My only mod was to go down a needle size; I did use the suggested yarn but I'm a loose knitter. (As evidenced by how huge this is, even with a smaller needle!) Fantastic pattern; Jared is brilliant!! I was tickled to learn the nifty circular cast-on.</p><p align="left"> </p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SfpPFiPrP1I/AAAAAAAAA6E/-6IkPmtOtiw/s1600-h/moreGirasole+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330660065456897874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SfpPFiPrP1I/AAAAAAAAA6E/-6IkPmtOtiw/s200/moreGirasole+002.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Glorious weather this week. I played hooky yesterday and we went to the beach!</span><br /></em></p>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-34982147466394488472008-12-14T22:44:00.005-09:002008-12-14T23:14:26.987-09:00It's The Little Things...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SUSay8REYyI/AAAAAAAAA5E/KOOvtIzw35M/s1600-h/Bookmarks.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SUSay8REYyI/AAAAAAAAA5E/KOOvtIzw35M/s320/Bookmarks.1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279514863146918690" border="0" /></a><br />Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. I've crafted only a very few, and very small gifts for this holiday season. I'm a little bit gift-challenged; I obsess and fret and worry that I've not done enough or gotten the right thing. This is in conflict with my desire to make gifts, as MY handmade gifts never seem quite sufficient to ME. I get around this by giving handmade stuff either in addition to store bought (crazy, I know-I'm working on it), or by making things to give away when a gift is neither required nor expected. That way, it doesn't matter that it's <span style="font-style: italic;">just</span> handmade.<br /><br />My very special friends in Berkeley, who will be having their annual dinner at <a href="http://www.buccis.com/">Bucci's</a> without me next week, will each be getting a bookmark. The light was extraordinarily crappy this week, as I tried to get photographs of these before sending them off.<br /><br />They were fun to make and it gave me lots of pleasure to imagine The Moms, sitting around the table, drinking Cosmopolitans, and unwrapping these. (The first year I had to miss one of these dinners, I printed a photo of myself, drink in hand, and mounted it on cardboard so it could "sit" at the table with my friends. My desire not to be forgotten is <s>pathetic</s> great, I know.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SUSYFqjj7WI/AAAAAAAAA48/fXG8l7EE0CI/s1600-h/Bookmarks.2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SUSYFqjj7WI/AAAAAAAAA48/fXG8l7EE0CI/s320/Bookmarks.2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279511886275276130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Six Bookmarks</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Perle Cotton #5, assorted colors, less than 1 skein for each<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US #0<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hooks:</span> I think I used a 2.1 mm, but it might have been something else<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crochet Patterns:</span> <a href="http://crochetroo.blogspot.com/2006/05/fan-bookmark.html">Fan Bookmark</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocheted-shell-bookmark">Shell Bookmark</a> (That's a Ravelry link)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting Pattern:</span> I just made this one up using the Melon Stitch pattern from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Lace-Today-Pattern-Book/dp/B00189EB70/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1229328039&sr=8-2">VLT</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Most Fun</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span> Picking out beads for each of them!<br /></div><br /></div>By the time I had finished and mailed the bookmarks, I had rather warmed to the idea of making gifts. I actually have a gift sock on the needles, but as it's the first of two, I've accepted that it won't be gifted by<span style="font-style: italic;"> this</span> Chanukah (and it's ok, I already bought and mailed the <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> gift.) That left me free to cast on for another sweater...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SUSXxt1ygQI/AAAAAAAAA4s/kAGXW5AO-Pc/s1600-h/jensornament.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SUSXxt1ygQI/AAAAAAAAA4s/kAGXW5AO-Pc/s320/jensornament.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279511543559651586" border="0" /></a>ornament! I love these wee tree decorations. This one is made from that recycled silk that was so popular a few years back. It's sort of on the funky side, but I love it. And the great thing is, it's going to a woman who totally appreciates hand made gifts. (She's getting a big<a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2008/12/fruitcake-day.html"> Fruitcake</a>, too!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jen's Sweater Ornament</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> <a href="http://www.zanzibartribalart.com/RecycledSilkYarn.htm">Recycled Silk</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles: </span>US#8 DPNs<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> Last year I made a few of these by following <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-fiddle-faddle.html">Jared's recipe</a>, more or less. Shortly after I posted about them,<a href="http://kamsarmer.blogspot.com/"> kt</a> sent me mail and asked for help. Luckily, I was able to find my response to her and followed my own directions, which I would otherwise have had to re-figure out.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Thing About This Project: </span> Near-Instant gratification!kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-58411773000050530192008-12-04T08:10:00.000-09:002008-12-04T08:10:53.369-09:00Shetland III finally finished my Shetland Triangle. Why I thought it needed to be so big is unclear. It's lovely, and I'm happy to have it, but will I wear it?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTmH8MnrwI/AAAAAAAAA38/O9PjJ99TudQ/s1600-h/shawl4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTmH8MnrwI/AAAAAAAAA38/O9PjJ99TudQ/s320/shawl4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275094087650225922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTl_ZdaHVI/AAAAAAAAA30/k3Qw7MBLKiQ/s1600-h/shawl3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTl_ZdaHVI/AAAAAAAAA30/k3Qw7MBLKiQ/s320/shawl3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275093940886445394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTl5j9GE5I/AAAAAAAAA3s/dks_35C0HIg/s1600-h/shawl2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTl5j9GE5I/AAAAAAAAA3s/dks_35C0HIg/s320/shawl2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275093840624489362" border="0" /></a>Having gone to all the trouble to make it truly shawl sized, instead of scarf sized, of course I like it best worn as a scarf.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTlpzL-ffI/AAAAAAAAA3k/gkg29Bpev90/s1600-h/shetlandscarved2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTlpzL-ffI/AAAAAAAAA3k/gkg29Bpev90/s320/shetlandscarved2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275093569835531762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTljkZklII/AAAAAAAAA3c/LPfkjUwsYSM/s1600-h/shetlandscarved.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STTljkZklII/AAAAAAAAA3c/LPfkjUwsYSM/s320/shetlandscarved.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275093462786806914" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shetland Triangle II</span><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Shetland Triangle</span> by Evelyn A. Clark, from <span style="font-style: italic;">Wrap Style</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span><span>Zephyr Wool/Silk Yarn used double throughout.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> <span><span>US Size 4, KnitPicks Options</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished Size:</span> Big. Something like 80" across and 40" from center top edge to bottom of point.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Modifications:</span> Needles and yarn, and I worked extra repeats. I forget what the pattern originally calls for, but I worked 19. I also omitted the last two rows of the pattern (this is how <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/">Jared</a> did it, way back when) to make the edge less pointy.kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-37355169318850432332008-12-01T21:54:00.013-09:002008-12-02T21:25:52.282-09:00Fruitcake DayI know it's an unlikely tradition for a nice Jewish girl, but every fall I bake a double batch of fruitcakes. I've been doing it so long - 26 or 27 years - I can't<span style="font-style: italic;"> not</span> do it. But it is a day long commitment to turn 15 pounds of dried fruit and nuts into 19 loaves. In the early years, I used the day we "fall back" to standard time so I could take advantage of the extra hour; I needed every minute of it. In recent times, I've gotten <s>less obsessive</s> more relaxed. (I've also acquired a free-standing <a href="http://www.kitchenaid.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=Stand+Mixers&cat=310&prod=1735">KitchenAi</a><a href="http://www.kitchenaid.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=Stand+Mixers&cat=310&prod=1735">d</a> and it makes all the difference.) I usually aim for the beginning of November, though Fruitcake Day has occurred as early as September 30th and as late as late November, but I don't think it's ever been quite as late as this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STWfZyebJLI/AAAAAAAAA4E/dZ2bwEnGirg/s1600-h/fruitcake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/STWfZyebJLI/AAAAAAAAA4E/dZ2bwEnGirg/s200/fruitcake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275297803929330866" border="0" /></a><br />Just to be clear, these are not your everyday fruitcakes. No colored candied plastic fruit pieces have made their way into these confections. They are just dense loaves of dried apricots, dates, raisins and pecan halves, with just enough buttery allspice-laced batter to hold them all together. After baking, they are soaked in a blend of brandy and orange liqueur, wrapped snuggly in aluminum foil and shoved to the back of the refrigerator to "age" for at least a month. Many of them will then be lovingly packed into boxes and hauled to the post office for the annual fruitcake migration. Others will be gifted locally, and the rest will be consumed by us. My boys have developed a taste for these over the years, and slipping thick slices into their lunch bags makes me feel like such a good mom!<br /><br />Knitting content will be back with the next post. Soon, I promise ...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A quick shout-out to <a href="http://kamsarmer.blogspot.com/">kt</a> who sent me mail over the weekend because I hadn't posted in sooooo long. It meant so much, and was, of course, the kick-in-the pants I needed. Thanks, kt!</span> </span>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-38931586392040885742008-10-17T07:37:00.002-08:002008-10-17T12:26:17.845-08:00Guess Who Came To Juneau?My knitting continues at a very slow, unbloggworthy pace. I keep adding "just one more repeat" to my <span style="font-style: italic;">Shetland Triangle Shaw</span>l. I hope to finish it soon. I've been surprisingly monogamous with this project, probably because I have memorized the pattern and it now fills both of my knitting needs: complex enough to keep me interested and simple enough to be carry along or TV knitting. Now that the end is in sight (<span style="font-style: italic;">really</span>, I'm on the last repeat), I'm starting to get the itch to start a new project. Hopefully there will be some interesting knitting happenings around here soon.<br /><br />In the meantime, it's a crazy time to be an Alaskan. Things got even crazier a few weeks ago when <a href="http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/2008/09/thousand-points-of-light.html">Dolores Van Hoofen</a> made a stop here. She's been on a whirlwind <a href="http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/2008/10/blazing-trail.html">campaign tour</a>. I was honored to be her Juneau host. While <a href="http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/">Franklin</a> maintains that you "really can see Russia" from the Governor's mansion, I'd like to point out what else you can <a href="http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/sarah-palin-and-her-juneau-neighbors-support-obama/"> see</a>... (<a href="http://mudflats.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mudflats</span></a> is a great resource for those of you who are interested in the bizarre saga of Sarah Palin and politics in Alaska.)<br /><br />I'll leave you with the official press release from Dolores' visit:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SPgKHeQ4AlI/AAAAAAAAAoo/tplY6rLnMm8/s1600-h/DoloresatGovsMansion.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SPgKHeQ4AlI/AAAAAAAAAoo/tplY6rLnMm8/s320/DoloresatGovsMansion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257963688454259282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Fibertarian Candidate, Dolores Van Hoofen, photographed in front of the Governor's Mansion, on her campaign stop in Juneau, Alaska.</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">After spending the afternoon wandering about in the rain shaking hands and kissing babies, Ms. Van Hoofen needed to find a place to spend the night. She was delighted to learn this lovely white mansion had a vacancy. Ms Van Hoofen wasted little time making herself at home. Though she declined to eat the mooseburgers she found in the freezer, out of Unglulate Solidarity; she did avail herself of the on-site tanning bed.</span><br /><br /><br /><style></style>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-41240675869920572472008-10-01T00:01:00.004-08:002008-10-01T08:10:48.006-08:00One in Eight *I've recently finished a stealth project that's been in the works for a while. I'm unveiling it today, as October is <span style="font-style: italic;">Breast Cancer Awareness </span>month. I created it for an annual art exhibit here in Juneau: <span style="font-style: italic;">Bra Dazzler</span>. It's a fundraiser for a local non-profit, <a href="http://teamsurvivorak.org/">Team Survivor Perseverance</a>, that provides fitness and exercise programs to women affected by cancer.<br /><br />It is totally unlike anything I have ever done before. I tend to knit wearable things, and I don't think of myself as artsy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNxJ6TS9N3I/AAAAAAAAAng/iwgQnbd2WJ0/s1600-h/1in8.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNxJ6TS9N3I/AAAAAAAAAng/iwgQnbd2WJ0/s320/1in8.1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250152531568179058" border="0" /></a><br />Let's just say that there was a serendipitous convergence of top-down hat knitting and hearing about this exhibit last year. Then I went to see the exhibit and there was such a wide range of styles and materials employed, that I was emboldened and decided I was brave enough to give it a go. I started working on a prototype last spring, and once I had it figured out, I began slowly knitting breasts. They were great little take-along projects, and I kept them going in the background.<br /><br />When we returned from our last trip of the summer, in August, I realized the deadline for exhibit submissions was earlier than I expected. So I went into high gear and started churning out knitted breasts. Turns out, the knitting was the easy part. Nick helped me figure out how to assemble it. (Thanks, honey!) In the end, it's pretty darn close to what I envisioned when I started out; that makes me very happy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNxKPfAc-6I/AAAAAAAAAn4/O8uJv7PCZFs/s1600-h/1in8.4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNxKPfAc-6I/AAAAAAAAAn4/O8uJv7PCZFs/s320/1in8.4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250152895489047458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">One in Eight</span><br />Created for the Bra Dazzler 2008 Exhibition in Juneau, Alaska<br />On display at the <a href="http://www.juneau.org/parkrec/museum/">Juneau-Douglas City Museum</a><br />October 3-November 1<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Yarn: </span> Cascade 220; shades of grey, black<br />and kool-aid dyed lemon-lime<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US size 5 dpns and US size 3 circulars<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size:</span> Canvas measures 30" x 24."<br />Each breast is approximately 5" in diameter.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Most surprising this about this project</span>: Think about it .. 16 knitted breasts .. eight pairs .. brought to you by a knitter who has trouble getting a second sock finished!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/probability-breast-cancer">The risk</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, if you are a woman, of getting breast cancer in your lifetime.</span><br /></div></div>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-53264085647171323682008-09-24T09:01:00.000-08:002008-09-24T09:02:19.307-08:00Fading Memories...This post is way overdue. Back in July, I <a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2008/07/summertime-and-blogging-is-iffy.html">promised</a> that I would let you know how I fared at our <span style="font-style: italic;">Moebius Knitting Retreat</span> on the shores of Lake George. As it gets colder and darker here, I am happy to remember those warm halcyon days of summer...<br /><br />To recap: My two sisters and my s-i-l (and our non-knitting husbands, and our children, some of whom DO knit, but not moebii) gathered for a week long family reunion in Ticonderoga, NY. We stayed in a lovely house right on Lake George and it was the perfect venue for our <span style="font-style: italic;">First Annual Knitting retreat.</span><br /><br />My sisterly patience made up for my lack of teaching skills; everyone had a moebius cast on by the end of the first full day and knit diligently ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNpkfNAa-ZI/AAAAAAAAAmI/lSz2gD3wqZk/s1600-h/kathy1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNpkfNAa-ZI/AAAAAAAAAmI/lSz2gD3wqZk/s320/kathy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249618802883885458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNpsnL_ZEDI/AAAAAAAAAnY/pO5MXWSTPa0/s1600-h/gardenknitting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNpsnL_ZEDI/AAAAAAAAAnY/pO5MXWSTPa0/s200/gardenknitting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249627736143106098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNprhIjXc3I/AAAAAAAAAnI/54OBU6c2o7c/s1600-h/knittingbeth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNprhIjXc3I/AAAAAAAAAnI/54OBU6c2o7c/s200/knittingbeth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249626532629410674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and happily...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNprrxac1-I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/QrR9HcI_p00/s1600-h/kathy2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNprrxac1-I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/QrR9HcI_p00/s200/kathy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249626715396560866" border="0" /></a>and even giddily...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNprZv6AcMI/AAAAAAAAAnA/_cWRQ8X3AiM/s1600-h/knittingandcocktails.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNprZv6AcMI/AAAAAAAAAnA/_cWRQ8X3AiM/s200/knittingandcocktails.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249626405754400962" border="0" /></a>until they were finished!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNpmbkybxVI/AAAAAAAAAmY/ykCIEg-Si2s/s1600-h/kathymobius1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNpmbkybxVI/AAAAAAAAAmY/ykCIEg-Si2s/s320/kathymobius1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249620939571447122" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Follow</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://hilaryknitstoo.blogspot.com/"> this link</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> for a close up of Hilary's beauty!</span><br /><br />*************************<br /><div style="text-align: left;">I have been knitting too. Slowly making my way through a shawl and ready to embark on a pair of mittens. I will try to be a better blogger. I miss all of you!<br /><br /> As fall arrived on Monday, so did the snow on our nearby mountains. We're waking up to crispy mornings and the urge to knit wooly things is strong ..<br /></div><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNiD0-AE4jI/AAAAAAAAAmA/TH1woqwI-p0/s1600-h/snowonmcginnis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SNiD0-AE4jI/AAAAAAAAAmA/TH1woqwI-p0/s320/snowonmcginnis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249090311720067634" border="0" /></a>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-92215412768182114482008-08-28T15:03:00.000-08:002008-08-28T15:03:26.884-08:00Well Situated Soccer FieldsI've been gone so long I hardly know where to begin. I've spent large chunks of the summer away from home, and though I've been knitting, I haven't been inspired enough to share anything in the short time I've been near my computer.<br /><br />But we returned from our last planned trip recently, and as I face the end of summer I'm drawn back to my blog, and the blogs of others (I have SO much to catch up on!!).<br /><br />Our most recent trip was to Fairbanks for the annual State Cup soccer tournament. I did my research before we went and on our first trip to the soccer fields <s> I squealed with delight as </s> I noticed we were crossing Peger Road, the street on which <a href="http://inuawool.com/">Inua Wool Shoppe</a> is located. I managed to get there twice in six days - pretty good stats I think! (The boys were 1 in 3; same ratio, but they were less happy with their results.)<br /><br />I bought hat yarn on my first trip. I was aiming for warm and cheery, whatta you think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SK0ERsD36tI/AAAAAAAAAls/YsMY2nPzmsw/s1600-h/Reneshat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SK0ERsD36tI/AAAAAAAAAls/YsMY2nPzmsw/s320/Reneshat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236846643633449682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SK0EX-ft36I/AAAAAAAAAl0/VnLvRCHs1MU/s1600-h/Tobymodelshat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SK0EX-ft36I/AAAAAAAAAl0/VnLvRCHs1MU/s320/Tobymodelshat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236846751661285282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Hat For Rene</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> Basic top down hat. I increased 8 stitches every other row for a rounded top.<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Debbie Bliss Rialto DK , 100% Superwash Merino. I used just over one skein of the blue, and not very much of the green.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US #5<br /><br />I made this for a friend, but Toby was my gracious model.kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-65750164235073237542008-07-06T12:40:00.003-08:002008-07-07T14:55:39.324-08:00Summertime And The Blogging Is IffyBack from a wonderful long weekend in beautiful Kelowna, BC where Max was playing in a soccer tournament. It was HOT, brutal for the soccer players, and a little bit much for the spectators, but a nice change from our cool Juneau weather. Kristie in Kamloops directed me to a GREAT yarn store, <a href="http://www.artofyarn.com/">Art of Yarn</a>. <span style="font-style: italic;">(Thanks, Kristie!)</span> It was well stocked with lots of nice yarn, but I was suffering from my usual indecisiveness and left with nary a skein.<br /><br />It might be just as well that I showed yarn-buying restraint as I will soon join my <s>enablers</s> family for a visit and we are sure to do some yarn store visiting. Anytime we gather, there is a frenzy of knitting related activity. This usually includes actual knitting as well as future project planning, yarn buying, helping - you name it!<br /><br />This year, we going to be more directed; we're going to have an official knitting workshop! Other years I have encouraged my sisters to start projects, only to leave them on their own, with unfinished projects and great anxiety, at the end of our vacation. This year, I picked a project that could be completed in one week. I'm going to show them all (two sisters and a <a href="http://hilaryknitstoo.blogspot.com/">sister-in-law</a>) how to make a Moebius Scarf a la <a href="http://www.catbordhi.com/index.html">Cat Bordhi</a>. I'll share highlights of our <span style="font-style: italic;">Ticonderoga Knitting Retreat</span> when I return.<br /><br />In th meantime, I'm nearing the end of my top-down Tee shirt. It should make for good, mindless, travel knitting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SHD_doGnUpI/AAAAAAAAAlk/lZGOM97YUSo/s1600-h/topdowninprogress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SHD_doGnUpI/AAAAAAAAAlk/lZGOM97YUSo/s320/topdowninprogress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219952852568855186" border="0" /></a>I hiked my shorts up so that this wouldn't turn into a midriff shot. At this point I probably still have 5-6 inches to go. But I'm ever hopeful that it will be finished soon!kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-43204928366643215652008-06-21T11:12:00.003-08:002008-06-21T11:34:17.824-08:00Solstice!I don't have anything new to show, on the knitting front, but I wanted to unveil my summer banner. I took the photo at around 10:15 PM last night.<br /><br />Please forgive the lack of knitting content. I am knitting .. maybe I'll have something photo-worthy soon. But it will probably remain quiet around <span style="font-style: italic;">Knitting Weather</span> for a while, as we have a hectic summer of travel planned.<br /><br />I know I have at least one visitor from the Kelowna, BC area (my <a href="http://www.statcounter.com/">StatCounter</a> tells me so!). If you're reading, do you have any yarn shop/tourist recommendations? I'll be in the area for my oldest son's soccer tournament next weekend, but expect to have some time to explore between games.<br /><br />Happy Summer to all!kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-83854769137867202062008-05-31T10:49:00.009-08:002008-05-31T12:17:07.883-08:00One FO, Two WIPs and a Brush With The KniteratiI've been a happy knitter for the past few weeks. Around the same time that I changed lace directions, I was also agonizing over my <span style="font-style: italic;">Diagonal Triangle Tank</span> out of my long-stashed Allegro yarn. It just wasn't doing it for me, so I finally ripped that off the needles. It's just as well because once off the needles it looked frighteningly tiny - I don't think it would have fit me. The thing is, I had really grown to like the yarn, but what to make? One day I glanced up and the garter stitch swatch pinned to the cork board above my desk was catching the light just so. Garter stitch brings out all the best in this yarn.<br /><br />SO what to knit? The time had come to take a crack at a top down sweater ala Barbara Walker. Several months ago I added <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Top-Barbara-G-Walker/dp/0942018095/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212263744&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Knitting From The Top</span></a> to an Amazon order when I "needed" to add another item to reach the free shipping requirement. (C'mon, you know you've done it...) I've been thumbing through it regularly, feeling too intimidated to jump in, but suddenly I was ready.<br /><br />I had a few false starts, but now that I'm solidly on my way, it feels right. It's rather hard to do it justice in a photo just yet, but I'll give you a peek anyway ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SEGlow3XIzI/AAAAAAAAAkw/GNznNeI0-_I/s1600-h/top_down_top.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SEGlow3XIzI/AAAAAAAAAkw/GNznNeI0-_I/s320/top_down_top.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206624763947459378" border="0" /></a>I know it doesn't look like much yet, but I'm delighted with it nonetheless. I'm especially happy to have gotten past the "top-down" block. I knew I was going to be a convert, and I've been itching to try it on a human scale ever since I tried it in miniature <a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2007/12/i-know-rule-youre-not-supposed-to-hang.html">here</a>.<br /><br />I had just settled on this and was working the fussy beginnings with shoulders on provisional cast-ons, short rows and neck shaping when the need for a mindless, portable project caused me to set it aside for a few days and cast on for a moebius scarf. It was the perfect take-along project for the 5th grade field trip - a catamaran cruise to <a href="http://www.cruise-reviews.com/port_info/alaska-cruise-215.asp">Endicott Arm</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SEGmnPaRB6I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/lrbNEizcn-E/s1600-h/EA_Collage_76.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SEGmnPaRB6I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/lrbNEizcn-E/s200/EA_Collage_76.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206625837298812834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">We saw whales, goats, bears and a calving glacier!! We never had field trips like this in California!</span><br /><br /></span></div>I finished it up a few days later and I'm very happy with it. I like to wear these doubled, up fairly close to my neck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SEGmI6Z_XSI/AAAAAAAAAlA/A8Yf_RCPvX8/s1600-h/moebius_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SEGmI6Z_XSI/AAAAAAAAAlA/A8Yf_RCPvX8/s320/moebius_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206625316264434978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Moebius Scarf</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> Basic Purl Ridge Moebius from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Treasury-Magical-Knitting-Cat-Bordhi/dp/0970886977/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212264086&sr=1-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">A Treasury of Magical Knitting</span></a>, by Cat Bordhi. I did 5-round ridges; next time I think I'll do3. I finished it off with 3 stitch "fingers."<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Crystal Palace <a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/waikiki-samples.html">Waikiki</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles: </span>47" circular US #7<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best thing about this project:</span> Wearing it to lunch to meet Evelyn Clark!!<br /><br />I finished it just in time to wear it to lunch with some Juneau knitters and a special guest! The Juneau knitters are two woman, Sally and Kim, I met through <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/account/login">Ravelry,</a> and at the time of this lunch I'd only actually met Sally in person. Kim had done a workshop with <a href="http://www.evelynclarkdesigns.com/index.html">Evelyn A. Clark</a> a while back and when she learned she was going to be in Juneau for a visit, she invited her out to lunch. Somehow, I got lucky enough to get an invite too!! What a treat!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SEGlyyT7zSI/AAAAAAAAAk4/TXHkzUgHs3M/s1600-h/signed_KLT.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SEGlyyT7zSI/AAAAAAAAAk4/TXHkzUgHs3M/s320/signed_KLT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206624936134429986" border="0" /></a><br />I'm behind both in blog posting AND blog reading, but I know there's a meme going around and I've recently been tagged. Helen, I almost never do these (but you know that, don't you?), but I'm flattered that you tagged me .. maybe that will motivate me to post again SOON.kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-27894836311515628932008-05-15T19:30:00.006-08:002008-05-15T21:04:42.611-08:00The Great Thing About Knitting Baby ThingsThe great thing about knitting baby things, is that you hardly have to worry about fit. So what if it's too big! If it's one thing babies do, it's grow. And sooner or later, your baby is going to grow into your hand knit.<br /><br />I, for example, knit a hat for Max when he was a baby that ended up a wee bit too large...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SC0UX3x55wI/AAAAAAAAAko/56NLmrnHFvU/s1600-h/Max_hat_scan_resized.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SC0UX3x55wI/AAAAAAAAAko/56NLmrnHFvU/s320/Max_hat_scan_resized.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200835545025603330" border="0" /></a>14 years later he goes looking for a hat to wear to his track meet and I've got just the thing ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SC0AKnx55uI/AAAAAAAAAkY/-2NuGbbos6k/s1600-h/maxinhat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SC0AKnx55uI/AAAAAAAAAkY/-2NuGbbos6k/s320/maxinhat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200813327159781090" border="0" /></a>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-83830600283854334072008-05-01T14:13:00.005-08:002008-05-01T21:18:55.216-08:00May DaySlacker blogger though I may be, I still feel the urge to acknowledge my blogiversary. It's two years today since the birth of Knitting Weather!<br /><br />Though I seem to be in a bit of a blogging slump, it's brought me enough pleasure these past two years that I'm not ready to let it go. Thank you to my band of faithful readers and commenters who have supported, encouraged, and inspired me along the way!<br /><br />When last I posted about my knitting indecision, it felt very much like I was asking for knitterly permission to change course and rip out my Leaf and Trellis shawl beginnings. Or maybe it was like going to confession? At any rate, I felt free to rip away after that post and have since started a Shetland Triangle with the same lovely <a href="http://www.halcyonyarn.com/Yarn_pages/yarn027.html">Zephyr</a> yarn. This will be my second Shetland Triangle. I've thought about making one for myself ever since slipping<a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2006/10/knit-with-love.html"> that first one</a> in the mail.<br /><br />The pattern seems very simple this time around, so maybe I should try more complex lace before too long, but for now, this is perfect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SBpDM6OzU1I/AAAAAAAAAj4/nlpcyXzzskU/s1600-h/shetlandII.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SBpDM6OzU1I/AAAAAAAAAj4/nlpcyXzzskU/s320/shetlandII.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195539009194120018" border="0" /></a>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-28135330977817765852008-04-21T17:46:00.002-08:002008-04-22T07:52:16.910-08:00My Knitting Mojo Has Gone ......and it apparently took my Blogging Mojo with it.<br /><br />April is 3/4 behind us and I have nothing knit-worthy to show for it!<br /><br />I <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> been knitting, at least a bit, most days, but I'm just not satisfied with anything.<br /><br />I've done a little work on my Leaf and Trellis stole. I love working the lace, that isn't the problem. The problem is, I'm not sure if I really like this stole enough to put in the hours to finish it. Maybe what I really want is a slightly heavier stole/shawl that I might actually wear? (This is the niggling thought I've had going since I first cast on. Why didn't I listen to it then?) I had a knitterly epiphany a few weeks back and I was all set to rip it out and start something new, maybe even re-using the Zephyr, but doubling it - and then I stalled. All those little stitches, can I bear to rip them out???<br /><br />My other knitting uncertainty is a summer tank out of <a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2006/06/heading-south.html">Allegro</a>, a yarn that I bought so long ago most likely no one else has ever heard of it. It's a Crystal Palace yarn and is a little bit like <a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/waikiki-samples.html">Waikiki</a>, except it's 100% silk. I think the reason it's been sitting in my stash all these years (nearly 25, I figure) is that it isn't especially pleasant to knit with; it's kind of squeaky, if you know what I mean. But I worked a few swatches and the result, after washing and blocking, is a lovely drapey fabric. So it seems like it might be worth slogging through the knitting. I'm tentatively working the <a href="http://www.fabulousyarn.com/artyarns_pattsmp90.shtml">Diagonal Triangle Tank</a> by Iris Scheier. It's a strange leap of faith sort of construction and I'm not sure I'm A) doing it right B) going to like it .. but I guess I'll keep plodding along.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SA0kkKOzUxI/AAAAAAAAAjY/_y2cT0KZDOA/s1600-h/allegro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SA0kkKOzUxI/AAAAAAAAAjY/_y2cT0KZDOA/s200/allegro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191846149068378898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SA0kpKOzUyI/AAAAAAAAAjg/XnLB2Dk_Qos/s1600-h/sosolace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SA0kpKOzUyI/AAAAAAAAAjg/XnLB2Dk_Qos/s200/sosolace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191846234967724834" border="0" /></a><br />Suffering from this knitting malaise, I was especially grateful when the mail arrived last week with an Amazon box addressed to me containing my pre-ordered copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shear-Spirit-Fiber-Twenty-Patterns/dp/0307394034/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208879487&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Shear Spirit</span></a>!! What a beautiful book! Gale's photos are gorgeous. Goats, alpaca and sheep - they just don't make 'em more photogenic than that, and Gale has captured some fantastic images. Along with the animals are farms and ranches and, of course, yarns and projects. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Great</span> projects! There are at least four that I'm thinking about after my first go-through.* (Currently, I'm dreaming of a <span style="font-style: italic;">Cassandra Cardigan</span>.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SA0md6OzU0I/AAAAAAAAAjw/V4oyvSFwJuc/s1600-h/galesbook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/SA0md6OzU0I/AAAAAAAAAjw/V4oyvSFwJuc/s320/galesbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191848240717452098" border="0" /></a><br />Really, it's the just the sort of book to stoke a smoldering knitting fire .. thanks, <a href="http://ezisus.blogspot.com/">Gale</a>!<br /><br />(*And there are the wonderful stories behind the farms and fiber, but I've only scratched the surface on those.)kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-45723451317900589602008-03-28T16:15:00.010-08:002008-03-29T19:28:51.939-08:00A Most Excellent WeekIt started getting excellent early on when we sighted our local wolf. Next up was a rare convergence of clear skies and solar activity that produced the best show of the <a href="http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/">Aurora Borealis</a> that we've seen since moving back to Juneau. And <span style="font-weight: bold;">today</span> we took advantage of some gloriously sunny and mild weather, and went cross-country skiing on the lake. It was a day to wipe out the memory of the <a href="http://juneaualaska.com/visit/stories/2005/funfacts.shtml">220 rainy days</a> in an average year.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-2Rl9tL1WI/AAAAAAAAAig/f8SqpT2UoGs/s1600-h/hatinthewild.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-2Rl9tL1WI/AAAAAAAAAig/f8SqpT2UoGs/s320/hatinthewild.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182958827578578274" border="0" /></a>That's Nick and his hat in the foreground, Mendenhall Glacier in the background.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-2MEdtL1UI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/dqIM1W42Omg/s1600-h/kioigumittens.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-2MEdtL1UI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/dqIM1W42Omg/s320/kioigumittens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182952754494821698" border="0" /></a>These are some Koigu mittens I made before I started blogging. There's nothing special about them, but I have to tell you all: This is their third winter and I haven't been saving them for special occasions, if you know what I mean. I wear them all the time, unless serious ski gloves are required. I've worn them on countless dog walks with a leash wrapped around my hand and a crazy dog pulling like she thinks she's in the <a href="http://www.iditarod.com/">Iditarod</a>. I've worn them to shovel endless inches of snow. And I've worn them skiing. In three winters of hard use, they haven't pilled or worn thin. If, like me, you've wondered how well Koigu holds up, wonder no more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-2L3ttL1SI/AAAAAAAAAiA/9cB2JnLjwL0/s1600-h/glacierupclose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-2L3ttL1SI/AAAAAAAAAiA/9cB2JnLjwL0/s320/glacierupclose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182952535451489570" border="0" /></a><br />We skied across the lake so we could get an up-close and personal view of the glacier's face.<br /><br />And if this wasn't all excellent enough, go see what <a href="http://ezisus.blogspot.com/2008/03/excellent.html">Gale posted this week</a>. I'm all aglow. (Or maybe that's sunburn.)<br /><br />I also got a wonderful package from a blog-free reader in Arizona who is obsessed with Alaska. She approached me a few weeks ago about doing a swap and the next thing I knew I had received beautiful yarn, a gorgeous felted bag, yarn soak and a warm and friendly letter. Thanks again, Cassie! (Your package will be on its way soon.)<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for the comments on my wolf and scarf photos. Seeing the wolf *is* an incredible thing. (msubulldog: I forwarded your comments along to <a href="http://justtryingtokeepdry.blogspot.com/">my son</a>. He's getting the blogger "comment lust" and I think it might just motivate him to write some more. Thanks!)kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-52935809133938865932008-03-24T14:22:00.007-08:002008-03-24T23:35:43.630-08:00Something to Blog About<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-hTa9tL1MI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/dg6aMV4ovsM/s1600-h/melonscarf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-hTa9tL1MI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/dg6aMV4ovsM/s320/melonscarf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181483093995541698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-hTG9tL1LI/AAAAAAAAAhI/nIFtuF8o-_M/s1600-h/melonscarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-hTG9tL1LI/AAAAAAAAAhI/nIFtuF8o-_M/s320/melonscarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181482750398158002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Malabrigo Melon Scarf</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> Melon Pattern from Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span>Malabrigo Lace weight - One skein (470 yards) in Tortuga colorway<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> Knit Picks Options US size 4 (3.5 mm)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size after blocking:</span> 71.5" x 7.5" (Pre-blocked: 60"x 6.5")<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Notes:</span> I followed the recommendation for a scarf with garter stitch edges. I worked 5 melon pattern repeats with 4 garter stitches at each edge and 3 garter ridges at each end. I remembered having "flaring" issues on a scarf I made for Nick and so I went down a needle size for the last 5 garter rows. Next time I'll begin and end with a smaller needle.<br /><br />This was my first Malabrigo experience. Now I understand. It was lovely to work with, and it is deliciously soft and warm and light to wear. My only concern is how it will hold up. Only time will tell.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-ijN9tL1QI/AAAAAAAAAhw/81rrymhigIw/s1600-h/melonscarf3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-ijN9tL1QI/AAAAAAAAAhw/81rrymhigIw/s320/melonscarf3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181570831587464450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nick accompanied me to Skater's Cabin for this photo shoot. The light was pretty flat (read: These photos don't do justice to the beautiful richly colored yarn.), but at least it wasn't raining or snowing and there was occasional filtered sunlight. It seemed like the best we might get for awhile. When we got there, we saw that <a href="http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/021408/loc_246928335.shtml">The Wolf</a> was out on the lake.<br /><br />Every winter since we've been here, people have been seeing this wolf around the lake/campground/glacier area. This winter is the first time we've seen him. The very first time we saw him, we actually heard him first. We followed his voice to the edge of the lake and stood watching him and listening to him howl for nearly an hour. Since then, we've seen him several times, and for the last several days he's been on the lake every time we've been there.<br /><br />So after the scarf photo shoot, we came home and got our cross-country skis and went back. We skied a big loop around him, torn between wanting to get as close as possible, and not wanting to disturb him.<br /><br />A wildlife photographer I'm not. (Like I needed to tell you that.) I know these photos are just average photos, but it's not every day you get to ski within snapshot distance of a wolf - nothing average about that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-hUAttL1PI/AAAAAAAAAho/EPHtxcbn9ng/s1600-h/wolfonsnow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-hUAttL1PI/AAAAAAAAAho/EPHtxcbn9ng/s320/wolfonsnow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181483742535603442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-iowdtL1RI/AAAAAAAAAh4/Y0vibNG0KHM/s1600-h/wolfonlake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-iowdtL1RI/AAAAAAAAAh4/Y0vibNG0KHM/s320/wolfonlake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181576921851090194" border="0" /></a>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-28940986220548025642008-03-20T12:42:00.005-08:002008-03-20T12:58:17.442-08:00Vernal EquinoxWe were greeted with fresh snow on this first day of spring. Several inches of heavy wet snow. Shoveling said snow was a drag, but the day is much brighter and prettier for it; the last several days have been unbelievably dreary.<br /><br />I have two new knits to show off - and I didn't knit either of them! I'm just trying to keep your interest while I slog through the end of the melon scarf. I cannot in good conscience post another update photo, and I'm determined to finish it before I work on anything else.<br /><br />Max* returned home from the Arctic Winter Games with this adorable hat for Toby:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-LNCNtL1KI/AAAAAAAAAgw/UUlfV40OL00/s1600-h/TobyinSockHat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-LNCNtL1KI/AAAAAAAAAgw/UUlfV40OL00/s320/TobyinSockHat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179927959352104098" border="0" /></a>It's a conjoined sock hat! Isn't it clever?<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-LM0NtL1JI/AAAAAAAAAgo/CEOAJ5wMhZA/s1600-h/BackofHat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-LM0NtL1JI/AAAAAAAAAgo/CEOAJ5wMhZA/s200/BackofHat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179927718833935506" border="0" /></a>At the other end of the knitting spectrum is this gorgeous Dale Sweater I inherited when I was in California last week. One of my bestest mom friends (an amazing group of women I met in a new-mom support group 14 years ago) gave it to me. It belonged to her mother, who died several years ago, and it is too big for Karen. I am incredibly touched by this gift, and I will think of Karen and her mom whenever I wear it. (Which may be constantly! I put it on a few hours ago to take advantage of this pretty day for a photo shoot, and I haven't taken it off since. It is SO lovely!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-LMrttL1II/AAAAAAAAAgg/dJne6m0lIp0/s1600-h/DaleSweater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-LMrttL1II/AAAAAAAAAgg/dJne6m0lIp0/s320/DaleSweater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179927572805047426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-LMeNtL1HI/AAAAAAAAAgY/QOCKwkcimck/s1600-h/Dale_back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R-LMeNtL1HI/AAAAAAAAAgY/QOCKwkcimck/s320/Dale_back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179927340876813426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://justtryingtokeepdry.blogspot.com/">Max</a><span style="font-style: italic;">'s Team Alaska finished 3rd and came home with bronze </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ks/pdf/awg_e.html">Ulu Medals</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> to show for it!! He had a great time and I hope he'll soon write about it himself.</span></span>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-71790015665827026282008-03-05T13:59:00.003-09:002008-03-05T15:04:17.508-09:00Melon SeasonI thought I was going to wait until this scarf was finished and blocked before blogging about it again, but it's taking me forever. So I'm going to try to squeeze out one more "in progress" post, so you won't forget about me.<br /><br />I made some good progress last weekend in the lodge while the kids were skiing, but then I offered to play Monopoly with them and the rest of the weekend was shot. When <s>my sons completely wore me down and coerced me into playing</s> I agreed to play I imagined I'd fit in lots of stitches waiting for my turn. But I forgot how demanding the role of "banker" could be; my knitting sat untouched next to me - for many, many hours. All was not lost however, because my kids got along for the first time in our Monopoly history and we A) Had a lot of fun, and B) I WON!! I believe this might just be not only the first time I've ever won this game, but that I've ever played it to its natural conclusion. I'm a little bit ashamed of how how happy it made me to force my children into bankruptcy ...<br /><br />So it may well be melon season before I finish my Melon Stitch Scarf. I'm loving it though, and if I have to pack it away for next fall as soon as it's done, so be it. I think it's going to be a beauty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R88mT8y0GcI/AAAAAAAAAb8/d225SHP3WqA/s1600-h/melonscarfwip.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R88mT8y0GcI/AAAAAAAAAb8/d225SHP3WqA/s320/melonscarfwip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174396621050616258" border="0" /></a>I believe I'm about 2/3 of the way there. I'm not sure how much this will grow when blocked, but it seems like I should just knit until this divine Malabrigo Lace yarn runs out. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R88mOsy0GbI/AAAAAAAAAb0/BrTsn9L4eOQ/s1600-h/melonscarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R88mOsy0GbI/AAAAAAAAAb0/BrTsn9L4eOQ/s320/melonscarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174396530856303026" border="0" /></a><br />ps For another perspective of life in Juneau, soccer news, and 14 year old wisdom, check out the <a href="http://justtryingtokeepdry.blogspot.com/">newest blog in the family</a>.kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-71750947139178886232008-02-21T14:28:00.005-09:002008-02-21T15:01:57.809-09:00If These Socks Could Talk...They would probably grouse about being schlepped from place to place to place, on the chance that I might knit a round or two. They would tell you that I misplaced them for several months and had given up ever finding them, but then I did. They would tell you about the doctors' waiting rooms, movie theaters, and restaurants where they sat patiently in my lap; the soccer games where I clutched them in sweaty hands, but worked hardly a stitch.<br /><br />However, they can't talk. They can just cover my feet in all of their lovely handknitted-ness and make me happy that I finally finished them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R74MEWpytSI/AAAAAAAAAbs/aTLmCfOPRwE/s1600-h/Thuja.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R74MEWpytSI/AAAAAAAAAbs/aTLmCfOPRwE/s320/Thuja.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169582691207787810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTthuja.html">Thuja</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Nature's Palette in "Dark Indigo," a gift from <a href="http://hilaryknitstoo.blogspot.com/">Hilary</a> ages ago ...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US # 1 dpns<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Modifications/notes:</span> The pattern was written for a heavier yarn, I just massaged the numbers a bit to work for a regular sock yarn. I cast on 56 stitches. I like my sock feet on the snug side.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The weird thing:</span> I thought I couldn't wait to be done with these, and now I'm wondering what socks to make next ...kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-51477605616137745492008-02-12T21:00:00.009-09:002008-02-12T21:55:10.456-09:00Year of the HatIn all my years of knitting, I have not knit as many hats as I have knit in the last few months. And just when I thought I had knit my last hat of this hat-wearing season, Max came into the kitchen on Friday morning, pointed at his father's hat-clad head and said, "You should make me a hat like <a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2008/02/happy-groundhog-day.html">that</a>." His sudden hat desire might have been fed by the weather which looked something like this on Friday morning:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R7KKH2pytPI/AAAAAAAAAbU/u1j45CIQxsA/s1600-h/coldtemps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R7KKH2pytPI/AAAAAAAAAbU/u1j45CIQxsA/s200/coldtemps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166343590081901810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Our digital thermometer actually read -18 that morning.</span></span><br /></div><br />Next thing I knew I was rummaging through my stash and trying to pick out yarn that might meet the very particular requirements of my 14 year old.<br /><br />Then on Friday afternoon, we got a phone call informing us that his status as "alternate" goalkeeper for Team Alaska for the <a href="http://www.awg2008.ca/">Arctic Winter Games </a>had been upgraded. The keeper originally chosen is no longer going. Instead, Max is going to Yellowknife! The temperature in Yellowknife on Friday was minus 35 Fahrenheit. Must. Knit. Warm. Hat.<br /><br />I started knitting on Saturday and finished Monday morning. In between, on Sunday afternoon, Max had to meet a friend at Skater's Cabin to work on a science project that involved tromping across the frozen lake. It was getting warmer by then, but snowing like crazy and both boys showed up in handmade hats.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R7KIiWpytLI/AAAAAAAAAa0/EjR7sxesjWM/s1600-h/boysinhats.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R7KIiWpytLI/AAAAAAAAAa0/EjR7sxesjWM/s320/boysinhats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166341846325179570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Boys in handmade hats!<br /><br /></span></div>That's my guy on the right rolling his eyes, but his friend, Alan? Alan is wearing a hat he crocheted himself! How cool is that?? AND I heard him tell Max he couldn't find any string (needed for project) so he brought along a ball of yarn. I love Alan!!<br /><br />By the time I finished the requested hat, temps were in the mid-30's, skies were grey, and rain was falling. Terrible photo weather, but this post has waited long enough.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R7KItWpytMI/AAAAAAAAAa8/h6e-BkDLs98/s1600-h/hatonsill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R7KItWpytMI/AAAAAAAAAa8/h6e-BkDLs98/s320/hatonsill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166342035303740610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Max's Beanie</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> Just a basic 2x2 rib, I cast on 76 stitches<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Mostly Merino (black) and Morehouse Farm Merino (oatmeal), held together.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US Size 7 (2 circulars)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Favorite thing about this project:</span> He likes it!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R7KQ3mpytQI/AAAAAAAAAbc/7sYdXtmYUMA/s1600-h/textingmax.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R7KQ3mpytQI/AAAAAAAAAbc/7sYdXtmYUMA/s200/textingmax.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166351007490422018" border="0" /></a>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-15773621524063616972008-02-02T10:39:00.000-09:002008-02-02T10:46:10.790-09:00Happy Groundhog Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R6TFpEdoUQI/AAAAAAAAAaM/YwNKSPvZe3Y/s1600-h/hatupclose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R6TFpEdoUQI/AAAAAAAAAaM/YwNKSPvZe3Y/s320/hatupclose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162468382236758274" border="0" /></a><br />Much as I like my<a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2007/10/flap-happy.html"> recent</a> <a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2007/12/fos-from-head-to-toe.html">flap</a> <a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2007/12/risky-business.html">hats</a>, I've got to admit that when the temperature dips into the single digits (that's single digits <span style="font-style: italic;">Fahrenheit</span>), there's nothing like a snug watch cap to keep your ears warm. I know this because it's been mighty cold for the last week.<br /><br /><a href="http://ezisus.blogspot.com/">Gale</a> made a<a href="http://ezisus.blogspot.com/2007/12/progress-report.html"> couple</a> of <a href="http://ezisus.blogspot.com/2008/01/brit-lit.html">beauties</a> a while back that I can't get out of my mind. I totally copied her idea, and for the very same reasons. (Those Noro scarves! I can't make myself knit one, but they're SO very lovely.) Anyway, Thanks for the inspiration, Gale!<br /><br />I started playing around with some leftover Silk Garden and miscellaneous black stash yarn, but I just wasn't sure. I feared the darkest colors in the Noro would get lost in the black. Next I grabbed some heather grey Cascade 220. Bingo! I love the way it makes the Silk Garden POP.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R6TFzUdoUSI/AAAAAAAAAac/2JuVT7o8u14/s1600-h/nickandhat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R6TFzUdoUSI/AAAAAAAAAac/2JuVT7o8u14/s320/nickandhat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162468558330417442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nick's Newest Hat</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> Basic 2x2 ribbed watch cap, a la Gale.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Noro Silk Garden and Cascade 220. Less than a skein of each.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US size 6 circulars (I used two) and dpns for the last few rounds.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size:</span> I cast on 108 stitches for Nick's very large head.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R6TFukdoURI/AAAAAAAAAaU/dVt1dswIN_E/s1600-h/nicknorohat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R6TFukdoURI/AAAAAAAAAaU/dVt1dswIN_E/s320/nicknorohat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162468476726038802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R6TF40doUTI/AAAAAAAAAak/aC5SceReA6I/s1600-h/hatatwork.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R6TF40doUTI/AAAAAAAAAak/aC5SceReA6I/s200/hatatwork.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162468652819697970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nick's hat at work.</span></span><br /></div>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-53687499107334067592008-01-29T13:07:00.000-09:002008-01-31T18:28:02.466-09:00Go Ahead, Make My Day*<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5-4F0doUNI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Kul5d1zqyeo/s1600-h/makemyday.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5-4F0doUNI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Kul5d1zqyeo/s200/makemyday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161046108111655122" border="0" /></a><br />Helen, of <a href="http://chronicknittingsyndrome.blogspot.com/">Chronic Knitting Syndrome</a>, made <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> day today by giving me a "You Make My Day Award." I'm excited way out of proportion. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love being a part of this incredible knitting community.<br /><br />Having received this great honor, I am now bound to pass it along to ten other bloggers who regularly make my day. I'm to "give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times."So without further ado (and in alphabetical order):<br /><br /><a href="http://hilaryknitstoo.blogspot.com/">A Wee Bit Obsessive</a> - OK, so Hilary is my sister-in-law, and you might think there's a little nepotism going on here; but she'd make my day even if we weren't related by marriage. She's smart and funny, she knits beautiful things, and sometimes she posts photos of my adorable niece and nephew.<br /><br /><a href="http://amputeehee.blogspot.com/">The AmpuTeehee</a> - There's way more than knitting here. We laugh, we cry, sometimes there's knitting; always there's something to think about.<br /><br /><a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/">BrooklynTweed</a> - I know, I know, I'm sure Jared's already received bunches of these awards. But I can't help myself.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.maud.prettyposies.com/">Garn Boet </a><a href="http://www.maud.prettyposies.com/">- The Yarn Nest</a> - Beautiful knits and fantastic photos of Maud's gorgeous Afghan hound, Ludde!<br /><br /><a href="http://jeanmiles.blogspot.com/">Jean's Knitting-</a>It's like traveling abroad, to visit Jean's blog - Fantastic knitting, political and social commentary, glimpses into her daily life, and the ongoing saga of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Theo Gansey</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://knittinginthegreatbasin.blogspot.com/">Knitting in the Great Basin</a> -Posts are few and far between these days, as Frasera is a new mom. But it's worth the wait to see beautiful knits modeled on her most beautiful daughter.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.onemorerow.net/">One More Row</a> -Another Alaskan knitter. I like hearing about life a little bit farther north, and I get a kick out of her "mom" stories. She also has two boys, though hers are considerably younger than mine. Oh, and the knitting!!<br /><br /><a href="http://ezisus.blogspot.com/">She Shoots Sheep Shots</a> -Clever, funny, beautiful knits, and GORGEOUS photos. How could it NOT make my day? (For twice the fun, check out her second blog, <a href="http://shearspirit.typepad.com/">Two Shear Spirits.</a>)<br /><br /><a href="http://taoknitter2.blogspot.com/">Taoknitter2</a>- Ann is multi-talented craft-wise, but I read her blog as much for the "diva stories" as the knitting content. With two boys in my house, it's refreshing to hear her, often humorous, take on mothering three daughters.<br /><br /><a href="http://kamsarmer.blogspot.com/">Why not?</a> - KT's a kick, and now we're practically neighbors!<br /><br />And because I'm loathe to post without a photo ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jojoland.com/do/menu/Select?topIndex=0&subIndex=1">Jojoland Melody</a> sock yarn. Thanks to <s>my enabler</s> Hilary for making a yarn store stop with me on my way to the airport last week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5_AckdoUOI/AAAAAAAAAaA/MRc7O6SkbsQ/s1600-h/jojolandmelody.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5_AckdoUOI/AAAAAAAAAaA/MRc7O6SkbsQ/s320/jojolandmelody.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161055295046701282" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_ahead,_make_my_day.">*<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Thanks, Clint!</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_ahead,_make_my_day."></a>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-21489974151139500592008-01-24T09:04:00.000-09:002008-01-24T12:04:51.231-09:00A Well-Traveled SweaterAfter dawdling along forever on my Minimalist Cardigan, I finally got into high gear a few weeks back. I was spurred on by the wish to have it completed in time for my trip, last week, to my hometown, Rochester, NY. And I did it!! It turns out, if you really sit and knit, instead of just talking, blogging and reading about it, you can accomplish quite a bit. Who knew?<br /><br />With just hours to spare, and no time for photos, I finished the finishing, packed it in my bag and headed east. A week later, before I began my westward journey home, <a href="http://www.willyurman.com/">my brother</a> took a few photographs for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5gpkkdoUII/AAAAAAAAAZQ/GxSs6vyd6ss/s1600-h/sweater2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5gpkkdoUII/AAAAAAAAAZQ/GxSs6vyd6ss/s320/sweater2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158919081392885890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5gpxUdoUKI/AAAAAAAAAZg/GTeZiyugGps/s1600-h/sweater4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5gpxUdoUKI/AAAAAAAAAZg/GTeZiyugGps/s320/sweater4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158919300436218018" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5gpqkdoUJI/AAAAAAAAAZY/EOr_hr_3iFY/s1600-h/sweater01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5gpqkdoUJI/AAAAAAAAAZY/EOr_hr_3iFY/s320/sweater01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158919184472101010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Minimalist Cardigan</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> Minimalist Cardigan by Ruthie Nussbaum<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span> Interweave Knits Fall 2007<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> 2-Ply Morehouse Merino/~ 6 skeins in Olive<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> KnitPicks Options US size 4<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size:</span> I was aiming for something near 39 1/2"<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Modifications/Notes:</span> I used sport weight yarn instead of worsted. Rather than rework all the numbers, I did a swatch, took a chance and simply followed the directions for the next size up, taking care to work to the lengths for my true size and not the larger size. I think my only other modification was to short row the shoulder shapings and seam them with a three-needle bind off. First I worried it would be too small, then I worried that it would be too big. In the end, I'm pretty happy with the fit and the overall look.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Favorite Part:</span> Wearing it for the first time to the opening of Will's <a href="http://www.eastmanhouse.org/exhibits/container_86/index.php">photography exhibit</a>, which was the culmination of an <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070405/MULTIMEDIA05/301130001">extraordinary year-long project</a>. Never has a sister had a better reason to <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kvell">kvell</a> over her little brother.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5gpbUdoUHI/AAAAAAAAAZI/azfcH0X6DfI/s1600-h/minicardiathome.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R5gpbUdoUHI/AAAAAAAAAZI/azfcH0X6DfI/s320/minicardiathome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158918922479095922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Credit where credit is due: This photo by Nick</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-50937587463693616802008-01-04T16:16:00.000-09:002008-01-04T17:32:31.504-09:00Knitting at Glacial SpeedI can't seem to finish a project to save my life. After the<a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2007/12/i-know-rule-youre-not-supposed-to-hang.html"> distractions</a> of <a href="http://knittingweather.blogspot.com/2007/12/fos-from-head-to-toe.html">December</a>, I have returned to my Minimalist Cardigan with renewed enthusiasm and determination. Alas, no sooner did I finish the first sleeve this morning, than I realized I'd have to rip it back to the start of the cap shaping. With premeditation, I let my decreases form a vertical line of stockinette. I thought this was a logical and good thing, but I realize now that it's too disruptive to the moss stitch.<br /><br />Then there's the second sock that has been mouldering on the needles for nearly a year. It was lost in action for a while. Since it is my "Grab when I'm heading out the door" project, I began to seriously fear it had be left behind at a soccer game, school planning meeting, dentist appointment or the like. I found it a few weeks ago when I was tearing up the house looking for something else I had misplaced. Yay! It came in handy last week as we sat through many soccer games during the annual <a href="http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/010308/spo_20080103013.shtml">Holiday Cup</a> tournament. I made some knitting progress, but must admit as the games got more and more exciting, I did more clutching of my knitting in sweaty hands than actual knitting.<br /><br />In between soccer games, I began craving lace and spent some time with my dormant melon stitch scarf. I would like to finish that and than get back to the lace stole I started last spring.<br /><br />But as none of these knitting efforts is photo worthy, and I hate to post without a photo, I'll leave you with some images from our walk on the frozen Mendenhall Lake this afternoon. If you look closely, you might see a hand-knit or two.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R37pAlpmM6I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/9SQS2imCA8E/s1600-h/NickandTobyonIce.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R37pAlpmM6I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/9SQS2imCA8E/s320/NickandTobyonIce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151811220074279842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Two hand knit hats, one scarf, an iceberg and a glacier.<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R37pLlpmM7I/AAAAAAAAAYY/Uq4gD0ovu2o/s1600-h/BacklitBergs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R37pLlpmM7I/AAAAAAAAAYY/Uq4gD0ovu2o/s320/BacklitBergs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151811409052840882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Icebergs frozen in Mendenhall Lake.<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R37sGVpmNAI/AAAAAAAAAZA/dqWfCF8KtZk/s1600-h/TobyonIce.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R37sGVpmNAI/AAAAAAAAAZA/dqWfCF8KtZk/s320/TobyonIce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151814617393411074" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Boy, hat, and glacier.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R37rHVpmM_I/AAAAAAAAAY4/ZBIqlRmy-mk/s1600-h/TheGlacier.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R37rHVpmM_I/AAAAAAAAAY4/ZBIqlRmy-mk/s320/TheGlacier.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151813535061652466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Mendenhall Glacier, which, much like my knitting, is receding faster than it is advancing.</span></span><br /></div><br />Happy New Year to all!kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27383363.post-68064919329827107392007-12-21T14:04:00.000-09:002007-12-21T15:17:13.997-09:00My Inner MarthaNot much knitting progress around these parts in the last few weeks. I'm going to take liberties with the blog and show craftiness of another sort:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R2xJMpqEteI/AAAAAAAAAXY/wRDQLJUftQM/s1600-h/gingerstars.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R2xJMpqEteI/AAAAAAAAAXY/wRDQLJUftQM/s320/gingerstars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146568955867215330" border="0" /></a><br />There might be more knitting progress to show if I didn't spend my time obsessively hand painting teensy gingerbread stars for teacher gifts. (And yes, that <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> another crocheted bookmark. Who wants to know?)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Solstice to all!!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R2xK0ZqEtfI/AAAAAAAAAXg/4jSrDOFlu94/s1600-h/view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R2xK0ZqEtfI/AAAAAAAAAXg/4jSrDOFlu94/s320/view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146570738278643186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our view, taken earlier this week. There isn't much to see today as the clouds are hanging low and even in the middle of our 6 hours and 21 minutes of daylight, there was almost no light.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R2xM1JqEtgI/AAAAAAAAAXo/urX-BIsLF_E/s1600-h/solstice07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UMlr_szxuQs/R2xM1JqEtgI/AAAAAAAAAXo/urX-BIsLF_E/s200/solstice07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146572950186800642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">2:27 P.M December 21, 2007<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Taken in the interest of full-disclosure</span><br /></span></div>kathy in Juneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01672352106022978289noreply@blogger.com9