FO: Ishbel

Ta da!! May I present, Ishbel:

Details:

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolde's Whimsical Little Knits collection.

Size: Large - too big to be worn as a neck scarf, but I think it will be lovely draped over the shoulders to ward off the evening chill.

Yarn: Queensland Rustic Tweed - a wool/alpaca blend. I used less than 2 skeins. I'd estimate about 1.5

Needle: KPO Size 6. I think I could easily have gone up a needle size or two.

Mods: Inspired by Blue Garter's Ishbel, I decided to add nupps as well. These add a nice finishing touch to the scalloped edges. I tried to knit the nupps as loose as possible so that when I was doing the purl bind-off negotiating purling 6 stitches at a time wouldn't be too cumbersome. I think I did an okay job, although during the bind-off phase which took me a couple of hours, I kept thinking, "gee, this seemed like a good idea at the time..."

Overall this is a great introduction to lace, and it is my first completed shawl. Don't know if I'll knit it again, as repeating the same charts over and over gets a little tedious. I'm glad I'm finished (it did go rather quickly as it's fairly easy) and I'm happy with the finished product. It's destined as a gift for a friend who's been so kind during my knitting forays to the pacific northwest.

I'm on a roll - expect a few more FOs in the near future!

Ciao!

Take A Hike!

As my reward for finishing Ishbel on time (on the 11th - a day early!), I thought while it's blocking I'd take advantage of the glorious weather we've been having and get the kids out of the house. I asked the youngest where we should go & he said 'to Eagle River'. I haven't been to the Eagle River Visitor Center in years, so I thought this would be a fine destination.

I love getting outdoors, but I must admit that my inertia over the past few years has increased. It's just so easy to stay home & hang out. I think that's due to being so crazy busy during the school year that the summer invites pure leisure. The Eagle River nature center is only about a 30 minute drive from our house. From there you can access several trails, including the 26 mile Crow Pass trail. Hubby and I hiked it (overnight) about 10 years ago & I'd love to do it again when the boys are older as it includes a crossing of Eagle River. Check out Midwife Knits' blog for incredible photos - it'll make you want to don your pack right away!

The hike today was not nearly as ambitious - 2 kids + geriatric dog doesn't lend itself to anything too strenuous. We opted to hike down the Crow Pass trail to Eagle River about a 1.7 mile walk (3.4 miles round trip) according to the signs. The walk is pretty easy & takes you through beautiful trees & ferns.

A few boulders along the way provide opportunities for king of the mountain.

Breaks in the trees provide views of the Chugach Mountains and Eagle River valley.

At the Rapids campground area there is a set of stairs leading down to the river. A shallow pool at the shore allowed the kids to get their hats wet for some welcome relief from the sun and heat. Joulee (our dog) greatly appreciated this as well.

All I kept thinking here was "Kids Don't Float - wear life vests". Oops - didn't bring those along, so I was on constant alert. I was more worried about Iain who has a history with falling into rivers. Happy to report that he stayed dry. :0)

Happy kids to be outside (and at the turnaround point). All in all, an easy hike for kids & elderly pets. I was happy Joulee was able to make the journey, much of it with a 'pep in her step'. My overactive imagination kept my mind filled with images of her collapsing on the trail and me having to carry her up the hill to the car. We spent many hours hiking and skiing these trails when she was a pup and younger dog, so I figured if this was the afternoon she chose to leave us, then it would be doing what she loved to do. Fortunately this did not come to pass and she's happily lounging in the shade of the backyard with me.

Getting out with the kids on my own felt great - just like changing the head light of my car and replacing our wireless router on my own.

Now to rest before the evening's soccer game. FO: Ishbel coming soon!

Get out and enjoy the outdoors! Ciao!

The Way It Should Be....

Summer is here in all of it's glory! The holiday weekend was fantastic - bright, sunny skies with temperatures in the low to mid 70's throughout Anchorage. Alaskans really can't ask for anything better....

The thermometer reading to the left is from today - in the shade! Yes, it's a hot one over here on the east side of town, although the bright skies have made way for a slight haze. Not sure if there's a fire somewhere blowing smoke this direction, ash from Mt. Redoubt's February eruption getting stirred about, or just dust in general unsettled due to lack of rain. In any case, we'll take the warm weather.

Since we don't own a pool (most Alaskans don't), the best way to cool off is the classic 'run through the sprinkler'. Waters the lawn & berries (the strawberries have taken off!) & entertains the kids simultaneously - perfect!


To dry off, the boys & their neighborhood buddies went into the front (please ignore the clover - the front lawn is having issues this year...) to lie in the sun. The photo op was just too cute to pass up. And in case you think I haven't been blogging because I haven't been knitting, well - let me present the current state of Ishbel:


I'm through the stockinette portion & charts ABA. Just charts BACDE & bind off to do. Whew! I'm using a US6 and Queensland Rustic Tweed, a DK wool/alpaca mix. I probably could have gone up a needle size or 2, but I figured gauge doesn't matter too much for a shawl. At least that's my story & I'm sticking with it! :0) My goal is to finish & be ready for blocking by July 12th. I'd like to have it totally done before the boys & I leave for the lower 48 on the 20th (San Diego, wedding in Las Vegas, and of course Sock Summit in Portland! )

Well - better go if I'm going to finish Ishbel on time. Ciao!