The Spirited Bohemian: July 2011

18 July 2011

Toe Up Socks - 2 at a Time

I had to start the toes over a few times, but I'm on my way now. Increasing 12 stitches per side to 32 stitches per side. These size #1 needles are very tiny but I really like this kind of knitting.

I wound the ball the other night (wish I had taken a picture of the tangled yarn). I'm knitting from both ends, just a little patience and it's not too difficult to keep it from becoming tangled. I prefer this to having two balls of yarn.

17 July 2011

Un-knitting, tangled yarn and motorcycles

Well I've been busy since December. I still ride my bike and catch the bus everywhere and do not want a car. I actually get car sick now, the roof is just too close to my head. I love being outside. The whole idea of making another car payment, plus insurance and repairs - close to $400/month - not even counting gasoline. I want one of these new trikes, to ride outside for longer distances and into the mountains - camping and fishing!

I have been knitting quite a bit, and un-knitting even more. Now I am a semi-pro at socks and just finished my 2nd pair. I will get some pictures up soon, as I find myself un-knitting and unraveling tangled masses of yarn all the time. Such a simple life.

So last night I opened a skein of "Socks that Rock" in Raspberry Moose, placed it around the base of my laptop instead of having someone hold it for me, and started rolling my ball. At some point while I was rolling and watching Green Wing, the yarn slipped off the computer and landed on the floor in a tangled mess. This is a 360 yard skein - that's 1080 feet!

I finished winding the ball around 4:00 am this morning - it's gorgeous!

The sock pattern is called "Tangled Faeries"

Now I am casting the toe stitches on a size 1 needle and am on the 4th try.

If you find yourself stressing about the time and your anal perfectionism, you really should consider taking up bike riding and knitting. It' absolutely impossible for me to hurry anymore, nor be perfect. What a change and what a relaxing relief!

Knitting Serenity will start weekly knitting get togethers by the end of the month, and the Sock Knitting Classes will come soon after.

New Bike Route

My numbers haven't been very good lately, not enough bike riding. Haven't been running any errands and needed rides to get my daughter to doctor's appointments. Busy, busy - too busy to ride for fun. But I am going to change my bike route home. I'm going to start getting off at a different bus stop on the other side of town and riding home a different way. It's 3.6 miles instead of the 1.0 that I've been doing. I'll still do the one in the morning, so this will be about 4+ miles a day, biking and/or walking the bike. It will take me awhile to master this route, as there is an incline also. A lot of muscles will need to get stronger.

I read that you need to ride at least 1 hour a day to use biking for losing weight. So this will do it for sure. Also, this route takes me past the grocery store, McDonald's and some other eateries that we've been missing since no car. Also Walmart and Hobby Lobby if I want to drop in on the way home.

My "Loved" tracks from Last.fm

I played violin as a teenager in Germany, we lived there for a few years. My teacher had a dark, warm wooden studio where there were violin parts all over the place. I loved playing violin so much, a truly pleasurable memory from that time.

Back in the US a few years later, I wanted my violin and was advised that it had been sold in a garage sale for $25.

I heard a harmonica playing classical music one dark night while camping, it resonated throughout the campsite and was heavenly, beautiful and filled me with warmth.

I have played with the harmonica throughout my lifetime, the kids absconded with my $150 Hohner a long time ago.

Learning to play a classical piece on a chromatic harmonica has been on my wishlist for a long time.

INJURIES SINCE BECOMING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE :o(

Cut leg when I dropped my bike and backpack pulled me to the ground on top of it. Not too bad! (Oct 2010)
Perhaps when it gets colder, I can just roll around in the snow when I get bumped!
New bruises on arm and leg from getting bicycle on and off the bus. More ice packs!
Dislocated left thumb when I dropped my new bike - bought a specialized hand icepack [Sept 2010]
No more boot & crutches, walking finally, 1-2 miles a day to & from bus stop, leg out of balance, knee VERY painful - bought nice knee icepack - keeping in backpack! [May- Aug 2010]
Broke 3 bones in my ankle, slipped on melted snow which was muddy initiating daily lunchtime walk routine [March 2010]
Cut leg when I dropped my bike and backpack pulled me to the ground on top of it. Not too bad! (Oct 2010)