More Distraction

I was going to post last week, but we had a crazy wind storm that knocked out the internet. I wanted to show pictures of the rock I climbed the weekend before. Don't worry, I started small. Then I challenged myself (peer pressure, really) to climb a 5.8. I needed help starting, and then again when I got stuck and had to switch my feet. I'm still bruised up, but it felt good to climb it.

Then I dashed off to Seattle for the Northwest Folklife Festival, which was loads of fun (in spite of some bad incidents). The best part was meeting up with an old friend from Ohio who I haven't seen in ten years. I didn't have much time to see him, but the reunion definitely made the weekend.

I got back yesterday. I did very little knitting, of course. Just a bit on a secret project while on the plane. I'm hoping to finish seaming the Dollar and a Half so I can work on the button band and be done with it. I'm itching to start a new project, but I've got to finish at least one of these before I do.

The Adventures Continue

I've been spending a lot of time outdoors. I've been camping and hiking, and I'm learning the surprisingly fun game of Ultimate Frisbee. I have scratches and bruises and very sore shoulders. Tomorrow I'm doing more camping and trying rock climbing again.

I have been knitting, but it's definitely taken a back seat to the outdoors. It's so nice lately. I do get a little bit of knitting in each night. I made a cowl from the Curious Creek Fibers Isalo. I wanted it to be something special, but it turns out that for all the money I spent, it's just another silk yarn. To top it off, there were a lot of spots that didn't take the dye. I like the cowl, though, and it was a good way to avoid seaming the Dollar and a Half cardigan. I'm one side seam and one sleeve insert and side seam away from the button band. My sleeves don't fit into the arm hole, but I just forced the first one in anyway. I don't think it's going to be too bumpy in the end.


And that's it. I've got a sock project as a travel project (it's going camping with me tomorrow). I might need to start something new next week.

The exciting news is that I may have a chance to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in ten years. He lives in Seattle, where I'll be next week for the Northwest Folklife Festival. I can't wait to see him.

The Sweetest Smell

You know how in the springtime you catch a whiff of the most amazing scent, usually lilac, that just stops you in your tracks? This happened to me last week, but not much is blooming yet, so I was startled by the smell. It wasn't lilac, it wasn't a smell I've smelled. It was sagebrush. I was out walking and smelling and smiling at the smell. Incredible. All of Elko smelled so sweet that day. There have been moments, when the wind is right, since then, but that day smelled sweeter than any I've experienced.

The last couple weekends have been full of adventure. I went rock climbing for the first time yesterday. I enjoyed it very much. I was surprised that I wasn't scared. Rock climbing is more of a puzzle than a thrill, at least at the level I was climbing. I hope to get the chance to do more soon.

Knitting-wise I haven't done much. I made a slouchy hat from the Noro Matsuri I got in Seattle. I like it. I'll try wearing it, but the 13% wool might make my head itch. Since it's a slouchy hat and won't touch my skin directly, I might not notice the wool. It's a great hat, if I do say so myself.


I've made some progress on the Dollar and a Half sweater. I'm wishing I'd blocked my swatch. I'm worried that the arms are going to be too long. I think I might steam block them to get an indication of how much they'll grow. If the sweater is too big for my sister, I might just have to keep it. It's cute.

I'm also working on a secret project that should be finished and mailed in the next couple weeks. Here are some pictures of other secret projects that have finally made it to their recipients.