I can!

My fourth ride after five weeks in a cast and no bike, I pedaled nine miles up Independence Pass. I thought I could do six miles. I did nine.

My fifth ride, I went halfway up Deer Creek Canyon. Non-stop. I had gained 3,000 feet of elevation my first two trips up Deer Creek Canyon this season, before I broke my wrist, slow but non-stop. I worried I would have to start over after five weeks of no climbing and no riding. I went halfway up Deer Creek Canyon without stopping. Slow, and not pain-free, but non-stop.

I must continue to rebuild strength in my wrist and in my elbow, and I have to rebuild what little speed I am capable of maintaining, but I didn't have to start over from scratch. My 15-month streak of a 60-mile-day every month has served me well. Training through winter has paid off.

It is so tempting to try to overdo it now that I'm back on the bike. One wrong move now, and my riding season likely will be over. Even though I'm two to three weeks behind on my training right now, I'm stronger now than I have been in the past when I've been trying to get myself back in shape for summer. I could do the MS-150 this weekend if I had to, and I think I'll be ready for Ride the Rockies in three weeks. My saddle may be sore, but I'll be ready. I can do the miles. I can climb. I can.

It was a very good thing I didn't try to go further up Deer Creek Canyon. I flatted half a block from home. Brand new tires. My first pinch flat ever. If I'd gone another seven miles up the mountain, I may have flatted fourteen miles from home. That would not have been a fun walk. (I'm not so good or confident at changing or repairing skinny tires, and The Lizard was many, many miles away at work.)

But I CAN walk my bike 14 miles! When I have to.




PS: Scaled Vail Pass over the weekend, then did the full 60-mile commute to and from work yesterday. And gave blood in between. Now my total mileage count for the year so far stands at 666. YIKES!!!

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Snowflake Monday

Several months ago, I accidentally spilled my morning berries on my favorite white turtleneck sweater. No matter how I tried, I could not get the stain out.

The unsightly stain in an embarrassing place inspired me to drop some white thread in the bowl of berry juice. I love the shade I obtained by staining my crochet thread with breakfast!

If I were to wash a berry-stained snowflake, chances are not one iota of the color would remain. But snowflakes get stiffened, not washed, and coating the flakes with a shiny gloss further protects the new color.

Thread may be stained with just about anything. Try putting a spool of white thread unprotected in your purse for a week or two, and you'll be surprised at the things that mark up the thread!


Fruit juices make attractive crochet thread colors. Vegetables and plant roots also will produce some unexpected shades. My grandmother stained her thread with tea when I was very young, and I've enjoyed experimenting with what I saw her do so long ago. Leaves and petals create some interesting effects when pressed against thread, finished snowflakes or even fabric.




Staining is different than dyeing, unless you are accidentally staining clothing. Staining will fade and sometimes completely wash out of crochet thread (or sewing fabric) without proper mordants, which set the color. The only time a stain will refuse to entirely leave is when it's in a place you don't want it. If you like the stain, it will eventually come out. That's just the way it works.




Stained snowflakes may be coated with fingernail polish, varnish, shellac or epoxy, and even the glue/water mixture will provide fairly adequate color protection for snowflake display (as long as you don't leave them in direct sunlight for extended periods of time). Liquid starch can cause stain color (and even some professional dyes) to run, so I don't recommend that method of stiffening for hand-stained snowflakes unless you have a surface that won't be damaged by leaking colors. Intentionally causing color to run is yet another way of achieving unique snowflake colors. Try drawing on a snowflake with a regular felt tip pen, then stiffen with liquid starch, and watch the color spill over into the uncolored areas and spread into different shades.






White thread is not required when staining or dyeing. Attractive effects may be obtained with off-white, ecru, gray or just about any color under the sun. For a real treat, try staining variegated thread.

Don't be afraid to get creative when coloring crocheted items that will be stiffened and never washed. Have fun with it!

More staining information is available here. Feast your eyes on some of the beautiful shades dyers are able to achieve naturally here.


Several snowflakers have asked where I get the colors of thread I use in my projects. I dye some of my thread on my own, but I also buy from indie dyers. Here are links to sites where I have purchased hand-colored thread. I have not received any compensation for listing these sites, and there may be others of which I'm unaware. These are listed in alphabetical order and not in any order of preference.

Bre-Aly Threads on Etsy
eBay
Handy Hands
Sara's Colorwave Yarn


I am continuing my pink theme this month in honor of the Goatmother and all those valiantly battling breast cancer or any form of cancer. My thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort are with them. And while we're on the topic, I just scheduled my icky mammy, and the fateful appointment landed on the day before Ride the Rockies!!! At least my saddle won't be the sorest thing the next day... Have you done your mammy?!?


This is the first time I've tried using size 50 thread and a size 14 hook since my cast came off. My stitching isn't as tight as it was prior to breaking my wrist, yet I was able to work up a matched set of tiny snowflakes to turn into earrings.

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: 2.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Instructions

Ch 3, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1st dc in 3/dc cluster), [yo and draw up loop through ring, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and bring through all 3 loops on hook (starting dc cluster made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, *[yo and draw up loop through ring, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and bring through all 4 loops on hook (dc cluster made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in starting dc cluster. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st dc in 3/dc cluster), work starting dc cluster in same cluster as sl st, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, *in next dc cluster work dc cluster, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook; repeat from * around four times; sl st in starting dc cluster; bind off. Weave in ends.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

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. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. 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 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Fun

Tell me you're not rooting for this guy all the way to the end!

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Then and Now

Much has been said about acrylic yarn. Some people love it. Others hate it. The price makes it difficult to turn down. How well it adapts to an extreme variety of weather conditions is the reason it shows up in so many outdoor art installations, also known as yarn bombing.

The Ladies Fanciwork Society was commissioned two years ago to give Downtown Denver tourists and residents alike something interesting to look at during major deconstruction, rennovation and revitalization of the Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood.

This is the project in July of 2010.








And this is what the remnants of the once bright and colorful project look like now.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Slow Bloomer

12 March 2012


30 March 2012


8 April 2012


18 April 2012


24 April 2012


27 April 2012

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Snowflake Monday

I had a snowflake idea or two last year, and they weren’t working out, but I liked the centers, so I’ve been saving this handful of tiny flakes that never grew up.

I recently decided to work them up again and didn’t really like them because they were too plain. I have a pink theme this month, sending happy thoughts the Goatmother’s way, and the hue provided all kinds of inspiration to dress up these baby snowflakes.




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: Flake 1 – 2.75 inches from point to point; Flake 2 – 3.5 inches from point to point; Flake 3 - 1.5 inches from point to point without final row and 2.5 inches with all 4 rows
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or foil, cellophane tape, water-soluble school glue and water or desired stiffener, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Instructions


Flake 1

Ch 3, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Sl st into ring, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), *1 dc in ring, ch 1; repeat from * around 10 more times for a total of 12 spokes; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 3. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: *1 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dtr in next ch, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 2 dc in same ch 1 sp, ch 3; repeat from * around five times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.


Flake 2

Ch 2, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring or in 2nd sc from hook if using chain start; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 6 (counts as 1 dc and ch 4), *1 dc in next sc, ch 4; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 6.

Round 3: *Sc in next ch 4 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 4: * 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, ch 10, 1 hdc in 10th ch from hook, 2 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, ch 5, 3 sc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.


Flake 3

Ch 3, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 hdc and ch 3); *1 hdc in next sc, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times, sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 4.

Round 3: * 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc. You may bind off here and weave in ends for a 6-pointed star-shaped tiny flake, or keep going with Round 4.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), * sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 3 dc in same sp, ch 4, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 1 sc in next dc, 1 dc between next 2 sc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or foil to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or foil.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or foil. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Funny

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Delayed Reaction

At one of the Bike to Work Day breakfast stations last year, a volunteer called out to a crowd of hungry, thirsty cyclists:

"So, who here is riding the most miles?"

The discussion prior to the prizeless contest had been one-way mileage. Several drawings with cool prizes were being promoted, and registration forms specifically ask for one-way mileage. The volunteer had been counseling riders how to answer that question on the forms.

I was off my bike, uploading strawberry photos I'd just snapped (and uploading actual strawberries into the blood stream), so I answered loud enough to be heard: "30 miles."

My answer seemed to "win" the impromptu respect of all my fellow riders, which were mostly fellows. One turned to me and asked clarification, "You're riding 30 miles one way, or is that round trip?"

"One way. 60 miles round trip," I replied. "Or, well, 59.5. I ride around the block when I get home to bring it up to 60."

"Wow." His admiration was echoed by a host of other riders.

Then the silence was broken by another female voice.

"31.5 miles."

I turned to face the woman, as did all the other cyclists. "You win!" I cheerfully conceded. My photos had finished uploading, I'd finished chomping on strawberries, and it was time to hit the bike path again. Besides, I didn't need to charm the male cyclists. I have one of my own, and I wouldn't trade him for all the cyclists in the world. :)

As I mounted my bike, the woman asked, "Where do you ride from to get so many miles?"

I told her where I live and where I work. Her expression of suspected shock didn't really register with me until after a good night's rest. I asked about her ride. She lives close to where I work and rides to where I used to live, a commute I'm very familiar with, having pedaled those same miles for seven years, but in reverse. Yet my mind didn't make sense of the numbers. All I was thinking at that moment was getting to work on time. Well, and daydreaming/hoping I might see some wildlife before I got downtown.

"How often do you commute?" the woman asked.

"At least three times a week during summer."

"So you must really be racking up the miles," she said, her face growing visibly uncomfortable.

"I'm shooting for a thousand miles this month."

"Are you close?" she asked.

"I'm down about 10 miles as of today, but by tonight, if I can ride all the way home, I'll be 20 miles ahead."

"You've thoroughly got me beat in miles," she said. "I have never done that many miles before."

We parted ways. I got to work. I finished the day. I rode home. I tried to accumulate extra miles, just to make sure I would be able to pedal more than 60 the following weekend during the MS-150. I got home sore, tired, stiff, hungry yet satisfied.

I slept.

The next morning, things began to click.

I did that same commute. At least two times a week. Every week. All summer long. For seven years. Her mileage was round trip, not one-way. And she knew that. She knew, and she didn't bother to clarify. She maintained her "title" with that crowd of people she or I may never see again. At the expense of me.

I suppose she probably thought I was exaggerating when I told the crowd I pedal 30 miles one-way. I suspect she also may have wanted to impress the fellows. In her defense, she was friendly to me. She broke the ice, not me. I would have just pedaled away and not given her or the "contest" another thought.

During the next few hours of riding, my mind kept going back to that experience and the possible motivations behind what happened. I thought of my adopted kids, who sometimes stretched the truth to receive accolades because, due to their past, they were hungry for acceptance and praise. I thought of specific cases I covered as a journalist in which people falsely claimed to be titled, degreed or awarded.

Had I been more with it on Ride to Work Day, I could have made a scene and dethroned the Queen of Miles. If being Queen of Miles had been my objective. Again, riding lots of miles gives me lots of time to ponder. I was the first to respond when the question was posed, but was I really trying to take a crown? Or was I simply stating fact? Was I trying to silence the discussion? Or was I hoping someone with similar experience would speak up, uniting us as Partners in Miles?

I sincerely hope my motivation was pure, that I was seeking friendship and/or kinship in lieu of attention or admiration.

My mind goes back to something Lance Armstrong said many years ago. Regardless of what shady things he may or may not have done, I've always loved his reply when he was being hounded about doping:

"What am I on? I'm on my bike."

Hopefully, what he said is what people feel when I talk or write about cycling. It's about health. It's about goals. It's about overcoming odds.

It's about believing, "I can!"

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