29 November 2011
Island in the Sky
Payne Benchmark, Lost Creek Wilderness
For several months, we planned to climb something on the seventh anniversary of my back surgery. I'd had my heart set on Bison Peak for a while because it's near and in the same wilderness area as Payne and No Payne (yes, those are the REAL names!), which I successfully climbed (after multiple payneful failures) on the third anniversary of my surgery. The Lost Creek Wilderness also tends to be more accessible in winter than most of the 14ers and less crowded.
Alas, even Bison Peak was being pounded by a blizzard on November 5. No climbing that day.
The following weekend, we couldn't climb because both The Lizard and I had signed up and paid for a CPR/AED class. No climbing that day. Yep, you're safe adventuring with us now! We're certified. You'll have to carry your own AED, though. We don't own one. But we do know how to operate an AED now.
A friend from high school had scheduled family photos and senior portraits the next weekend. No climbing that weekend, unless you count Garden of the Gods. What a terrific location!
That brought us to Thanksgiving weekend. Family obligations prevent us from venturing into the wilderness for four days, but we were close enough to Moab that a special ride or two could be planned well in advance.
It's not a mountain climbed, but we did something big. What we did Friday and Saturday will count as my seventh surgery anniversary milestone.
Saturday we'd planned to ride Colorado National Monument, one of our favorite rides in the state. The mercury had climbed to only 32 degrees by the time we took off, and the Monument would have been about ten degrees colder, plus lined with shady canyons and steep descents that would have been bone-chilling. So The Lizard took me on one of his typical after-work loops from before we met. We rode 38 miles in three layers. I took photos a la Mrs. Micawber style because her blog is what our ride continually made me think of. I didn't write a haiku, though. Yet. I may! There were some mighty inspiring scenes along the way.
Alphabet Cornfields
still blooming
all lined up
hungry worms
autumn's artwork
My favorite scene, of course, was one I was unable to capture with my iPhone camera. The thing just doesn't power up fast enough, and to top that off, I have to remove a glove to operate it. It understands only flesh commands. As we passed cornfield after cornfield, I wondered why the farmers had allowed the corn to go to seed. The Lizard explained this was field corn, not the sweet Olathe corn we cherish every autumn. The corn and stalks would be ground up and used as feed for cattle.
As we were riding by one of the cornfields, I kept thinking I could hear sandhill cranes. The Lizard and I have seen and heard the birds in Monte Vista during the annual spring Crane Festival, and I'd seen them a couple of times in Bosque del Apache in New Mexico long before I knew anything about them. Their migrating path does not typically include that stretch of the Grand Valley, so what I was hearing really captured my attention.
At 2:23 p.m., a flock (or herd or sedge, to be precise) of approximately 80 sandhill cranes flew directly over us, close enough for positive identification. I wish I had a photo! Oh, how I wish I had a photo!
sandhill cranes over Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge
Friday's ride was much bigger. We rode from downtown Moab to Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park, 68 miles for me and 76 for The Lizard. I now have 9 consecutive months with a 60-mile (or better) ride, and a 60-mile (or better) ride in every month this year except February. I think this was my first ever 60-mile ride in the month of November, and my two-day mileage totals 106 miles. That's another November first for me.
I took no photos on Friday. The first 30 miles of the ride were uphill, although not at the altitude I typically climb in Colorado, so I could breathe during this ride! The return trip was in a headwind and partially in the dark. The entire ride was cold, and my iPhone battery bit the dust before we reached Island in the Sky.
The best thing about Friday's ride is The Lizard wanting to ride nearly eight hours with me instead of Black Friday shopping or watching football. He could have finished his ride in half the time it took me, but he kept pedaling back to me to check on me after sprinting up portions of the climb.
I hope your Thanksgiving was as treasured as mine!
Sunset on Merrimac and Monitor
Arches National Park sunset from Canyonlands National Park
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28 November 2011
Snowflake Monday
I began this snowflake pattern, which includes four distinct variations, back in April. It has taken a long, long, long time to get a little more than halfway done with each of the four variations. So of course, that means this pattern gets the name Longs Peak!
Longs Peak is a sentimental favorite of mine because I spent eight years in its shadow when I first moved to Colorado. It also was the first 14er I climbed. Not having any clue what I was getting myself into when I began the hike at 3 a.m. that took a full 17.5 hours to complete, I decided back then Longs Peak got its name from the long, long, long trail leading to the summit!
Of course, that's not how the mountain got the name, but even my condensed trip report is long, long, long! Everything about this mountain is LONG!
Longs Peak was named after Major Stephen Long, an explorer with the US Army and topographic engineer who never set foot atop the mountain. Until doing research for this post, I never knew my dad might be interested in Stephen Long, who served as a consultant engineer for many railroads. (Hear that, Dad?) (My dad's life revolves around railroads the way mine revolves around needlework, photography and writing.)
Stephen Long led the first scientific exploration up the Platte River, which leads to near what later became metro Denver, where Longs Peak may be seen from almost any viewpoint. Stephen Long may have been one of the first white men to see Longs Peak, and he gave the peak his name. He also is responsible for naming the Rocky Mountains.
John Wesley Powell, for which Lake Powell was named, led the first successful non-native climbing party up Longs Peak in 1868. With one arm! Powell lost an arm in the 1862 Battle of Shiloh, and the severed nerve endings gave him problems and pain the rest of his life, but he never quit exploring and discovering. Having climbed Longs Peak with both legs and both arms, I cannot imagine ascending it with a missing limb.
At 14,255 feet, Longs Peak is the 15th tallest mountain in Colorado, the northernmost of the state's 14ers and the only 14er in Rocky Mountain National Park. The mountain's western face graces the Colorado quarter.
This snowflake is full of diamond shapes, and Longs Peak is best known for The Diamond, the dramatic 2,000-foot eastern face overlooking photogenic Chasm Lake. The view of Longs Peak from Chasm Lake is about my third favorite view in all of Colorado. I never tire of seeing the sun hit the very tip of the peak and slowly melting down The Diamond like liquid gold.
I keep returning to this snowflake pattern just like I keep returning to Chasm Lake, too. Each of the four different versions will be featured over the next few weeks. One, by request, is specifically for sock yarn! Think afghan!
I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this Shades of White piece. When I began it last spring, I planned to make a purse. As the piece grew, I fell more and more in love with the patchwork hues, and I thought it would make a splendid vest or shawl. When I held the piece up to our hotel room window for a photo on Saturday, I wondered if this lace might make the perfect covering for the window of our back door, which came with UGLY blinds I have wanted to replace ever since we moved in. If I quadruple the size of this piece (currently 10x21 inches; the window measures 23x38 inches), it would be big enough to hang over that window! I could trash the trashy blinds! I'll share photos of whatever my Shades of White grows up to be when I'm done.
I've included photos of this piece blocked and unblocked, not only because I had no way to properly block or photograph it as I continued working on it while on the road over the long weekend, but also to demonstrate why blocking is important in needlework, especially a crocheted lace piece. The character of the lace completely changes once blocked. Blocking is not something to be intimidated by; it is a finishing step that makes the difference between something handmade and something handmade that looks professional.
You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!
blocked
unblocked
blocked and unblocked
all blocked
purse layout
shawl layout
Finished Size: 4 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread (I used every shade of white, ecru, eggshell, natural, chai and latte I could find plus my own white thread tea-stained for varying amounts of time to achieve gradients), size 9 crochet hook
Special Stitches:
dc cluster: [yo and draw up loop, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and bring through all 4 loops on hook
tr cluster: [yo twice and draw up loop, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 4 times, yo and bring through all five loops on hook
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Longs Peak Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, ch 3, *2 dc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times for a total of 6 spokes; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic ring tight.
Round 2: Sl st in next ch 3 sp, make loop on hook nearly the size of a regular dc and twist twice (does not count as dc), work dc cluster as instructed above in Special Stitches into same sp, ch 4, work dc cluster into same sp, *work dc cluster into next ch 3 sp, ch 4, work dc cluster into same sp; repeat from * around 4 times for a total of 12 dc clusters, sl st across starting dc cluster into next ch 3 sp.
Round 3: Ch 2 and make loop on hook length of ch 2 (counts as start of 1st tr of tr cluster), work next 3 tr of tr cluster as instructed above in Special Stitches in same sp, ch 9, tr cluster in same ch 4 sp, *tr cluster in next ch 4 sp, ch 9, tr cluster in same ch 4 sp; repeat from * around 4 times for a total of 12 tr clusters; sl st in top of starting tr cluster, sl st into next ch 9 sp.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Round 4: 2 sc in same ch 9 sp, *2 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, 2 hdc in same sp, [2 sc in same sp], 2 sc in next ch 9 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with [2 sc in same sp] and omitting last 2 sc in next ch 9 sp of final repeat, sl st in starting sc.
Round 5: Pull loop to near size of dc and twist twice, work dc cluster between sl st and last sc of Round 4, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (shell made), ch 1, *6 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 1 dc cluster between next 2 2/sc groups, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1; sl st in starting dc cluster.
Round 6, First Flake: Sl st in next ch and into top of next shell, 1 sc in same shell, ch 5, *1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group, ch 5, 1 sc in next sc, ch 5, 1 sc in next shell, ch 5, 1 sc in next shell, ch 5; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group, ch 5, 1 sc in next sc, ch 5, 1 sc in next shell, ch 5, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Round 6, Joining Flakes: Sl st in next ch and into top of next shell, 1 sc in same shell, ch 5, [1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group, ch 2, sl st into any corner ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in next sc of current flake, ch 2, sl st into corresponding ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in next shell of current flake, ch 2, sl st into next ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in next shell of current flake, ch 2, sl st into next ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group of current flake, ch 2, sl st in next corner ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in next sc of current flake], *ch 5, 1 sc in next shell of current flake, ch 5; 1 sc in next shell, ch 5; 1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group, ch 5, 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 3 times; ch 5, 1 sc in next shell, ch 5, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
After first row of snowflakes, work second row of [ ] joinings the same except joining flakes on two or three sides, as applicable. In corner ch 5 spaces where two flakes are already joined, sl st into join.
And here is an option for a regular snowflake, to be hung instead of joined. I have several versions of this I plan to share in upcoming weeks, also.
Round 4; Individual Snowflake: 2 sc in same ch 9 sp, *2 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, 1 sc in 5th ch from hook, ch 5, sl st in sc, ch 4, sl st in sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc in same ch 9 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, [2 sc in same sp], 2 sc in next ch 9 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with [2 sc in same sp] and omitting last 2 sc in next ch 9 sp of final repeat, sl st in starting sc.
Finish: Continue working snowflakes and adding onto main piece to attain desired shape and size.
Pin, in sections if necessary, to shape flakes as desired and spray lightly with water. Allow to dry. Unpin and wrap up. Have a wonderful evening in your snowflake garment!
Labels:
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25 November 2011
Friday Fun
A video (by Vladimir Vorobyov in Astana, Kazakhstan) bringing warmth to the soul in the dead of winter...
24 November 2011
22 November 2011
Gone
I'd worked a full day. I'd attended a meeting that lasted until well after 10 p.m. I was tired. Too exhausted to react.
The Lizard gently leaked news he'd deleted his blog before I got home.
It's not the same kind of grief as accidentally killing a praying mantis, the car being broken into and the stereo, the kids' Gameboys and the first aid kit being stolen, the tree in the front yard being cut down without warning by the homeowners' association, breaking the grow light before even getting it out of the package, an annual balloon festival being permanently cancelled due to lack of sponsorship, a favorite sunflower field being mowed as thistle control...
Yet grief storms in nonetheless. Pure and unabashed grief. Somewhat akin to coming home one night in May (each year) to find The Lizard has shaved his head without letting me know in advance. Because bald is more comfortable for him while wearing a cycling helmet for hours a day.
I don't even have a screenshot of my favorite Lee Zard blog post. (But I do have my favorite photo from his blog... because I snapped the picture!)
The Lizard read what I typed, right over my shoulder, asked me to move, and sat down to type, right in my journal:
"The Lizard lives!!!"
Yes, he does, and for that, I'm grateful.
21 November 2011
Snowflake Monday
By request, I worked up a pattern for a tiny Santa hat to go with last year's Christmas stocking snowflake. I thought tiny mittens would be cute, too. Then I designed a new snowflake to go with the miniature fashion accessories.
This snowflake is not as easy as last year's, so if you are a beginner or have trouble with complex stitches, you might want to stick with last year's snowflake instead of the Santa Hat Snowflake. Without adornments, I think this looks like a Saguaro Snowflake!
The Lizard once again graciously photographed my hands while working the challenging steps. I've included photos of one of the prototype snowflakes without the linked stitches so you can see what the snowflake spokes will look like if you opt not to link the stitches.
For the very first snowflake I made after coming up with this idea, I did not make a center, so I've included a photo of that, in case you want to give it a try and put an over-sized rhinestone, charm or other small dangling object in the center. For that version of the snowflake, skip the first three Rounds and begin with Round 4, starting at the *, working one straight row with what looks like prayer flags as you finish the points, then finishing by slip stitching the final point to the first point to make a hexagon.
With the weight of the hat, gloves and stockings, this snowflake must be stiffer than starching might accomplish. Two coats of school glue/water or possibly even glue undiluted may be required. Make sure the glue is school glue, not all-purpose glue. Spoke joints may be reinforced with an extra dab of glue after stiffening. (I reinforced my joints twice.) Mod Podge works great for this type of project, too, although Mod Podge-stiffened flakes will warp with time when hung in a window with prolonged exposure to the heat of the sun. They may be reshaped, but that takes time. Also colored snowflakes hung in a window will eventually fade with prolonged exposure to the sun.
You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!
Finished Size: 7 inches from point to point with size 10 hook, 8.75 inches with size 7 hook (more open and perhaps not strong enough to carry weight with the larger hook)
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 10 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, school glue (make sure it is water soluble) or Mod Podge, water, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line; small beads (seed and 6mm or smaller) for attaching embellishments, if desired; for hat, size 0 and size 1 crochet hooks, 1 skein of red embroidery floss, very small amount of fuzzy white yarn (I used Lion Brand Wool Ease; laceweight would work), 1 7mm pom pom (a tiny jingle bell would be cute, too); for mittens, size 8 crochet hook, size 10 thread, size 1 crochet hook, very small amount of fuzzy white yarn, good eyes and a ton of patience
Santa Hat Snowflake Instructions
Ch 4, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as dc), 12 dc in ring, sl st across starting ch 2 into starting dc. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.
Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc in same st as sl st, *sk 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in same st (V made); repeat from * around 4 times for a total of 6 Vs; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5.
Round 3: Sl st into ch 3 sp, sl st into middle ch of same ch 3 sp, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same ch 3 sp, *3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 (counts as final ch 2 sp).
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc), *ch 20, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, [1 dc in each of next 3 ch] (right side point made), ch 10, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 3 ch, [[1 dc in each of next 3 ch]] (top point made), ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through top half of [[last dc in top point]], yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through bottom half of [[same dc]], yo and draw up loop through top half of [last dc of right side point], yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through bottom half of [same dc], yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw through all six loops on hook (left side point made), 1 ldc in each of next 3 ch, 1 ltr in each of next 3 ch, 1 ldtr in each of next 3 ch, 1 ltrtr in each of next 3 ch, ch 1, 1 hdc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last hdc of final repeat and instead working sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.
yarn over and draw up loop through next chain,
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook
yarn over and draw up loop through top half of top point dc
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook
yarn over and draw up loop through bottom half of same dc,
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook
yarn over and draw up loop through top half of right point dc,
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook
yarn over and draw up loop through bottom half of same dc,
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook
yarn over and draw through all six loops on hook
draw up loop through cluster just made,
draw up loop through next chain,
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook,
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook;
linked double crochet made
after making three linked double crochet stitches,
yarn over, draw up loop through double crochet just made,
draw up loop through next chain,
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook three times;
linked treble crochet made
after making three linked double crochet stitches,
yarn over, draw up loop through double crochet just made,
draw up loop through next chain,
yarn over and draw through two loops on hook three times;
linked treble crochet made; repeat process for next tr,
drawing up loop through previous treble twice
instead of yarn over and draw up loop;
repeat process when changing to double triple crochet
and again when changing to triple triple crochet
Santa Hat
With Size 1 hook and embroidery floss, ch 16. Taking care not to twist work, sl st into 1st ch to form ring.
Round 1: 1 sc in each ch around for a total of 16. Do not join.
Rounds 2-4: 1 sc in each st around.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Rounds 3-9: Dec 2 sc evenly spaced around. As the opening becomes smaller and smaller, you may skip stitches instead of working formal single crochet decreases. For Rounds 8 and 9, you may work single crochet around the post of a single crochet if that makes it easier. Just remember you want this piece to come to a point on top, so however you achieve it will be fine.
Round 10: 1 sc through top of hat, closing any opening that may remain. Ch 2. Bind off. Pull end inside hat to hide.
Rim Round: With fuzzy white yarn and size 0 hook, 1 sc in each st around bottom of hat. Bind off. Weave in ends.
Finish: Glue pom pom to top of hat and allow to dry.
Mittens
Round 1: For thumb, with thread and size 8 hook, make magic ring; 6 sc in ring. Do not join. Pull magic ring tight.
AMIGURUMI TIP: When piece begins to turn inside out, poke inside middle with bottom end of crochet hook and push outside right.
Rounds 2-3: 1 sc in each sc around. Bind off. Cut inside tail even with edge of thumb, but leave a small tail on finishing st.
Round 1: For main mitten body, with thread and size 8 hook, ch 4, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 3 sc in next ch; turning piece clockwise to form oval and working around on other side of ch, 1 sc in middle ch opposite lone sc on other side. Do not join.
Round 2: 1 sc in 1st sc of Round 1, 3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc.
Rounds 3-8: 1 sc in each sc around.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Round 9: Attach thumb by weaving finishing tail of thumb around next mitten stitch, then back through finishing thumb stitch and back through same mitten stitch. Continue sc by working next sc into next sc on thumb (after woven in st just worked), work sc around thumb to woven in st, do not sc in woven in st, then continue working sc around mitten.
Rounds 10-11: 1 sc in each sc around, dec on sc on each side of thumb joint.
Rounds 12-15: 1 sc in each sc around. Bind off. Pull any ends inside of mitten.
Round 14: With fuzzy yarn and size 1 hook, 1 sc in every other sc around. Bind off. Pull ends inside mitten. Stuff lightly if desired.
Follow instructions given in Christmas Stocking Snowflake to make stockings, if desired.
Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap. Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap.
Attach stockings and mittens as instructed in Christmas Stocking Snowflake. Perch hat atop top point of snowflake and dab with tiny drop of glue if desired, or attach hanging thread to top spoke of snowflake and thread right through hat.
This is an extra heavy flake if you stuff the stockings and/or mittens. It may not twirl as undecorated snowflakes, and with time, the weight of the stockings may cause the snowflake to need another round of stiffening.
Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Or use 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch ribbon or ornament hanger for added strength.
Labels:
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Snowcatcher Snowflakes
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