Now You See It

Shadow Pot Holder 2
Originally uploaded by rallaronson

I've become a fan of Vivian Hoxbro. A few months ago I made some potholders using her mitered squares technique and was very pleased with the results.
The potholder here was made with a technique called shadow knitting. Careful placement of knit and purl rows reveals hidden stripes when the object is viewed at just the right angle. It's an easy knit and I like the contrast of black and white. Next time I'll try a hidden pattern.

Grandkids on Video

I've been video conferencing with my California grandkids off and on for nearly 18 months. They would look at me on the screen and I would look back at them. It was wonderful to see them, but hard to have any meaningful interaction. The picture and sound quality weren't that good and I wasn't sure they really "got it." I hadn't seen them in person for nine months. Seeing them on the screen was nice, but it didn't seem real.

In May, I spent two weeks with them and my husband joined me for the second week. Both kids warmed to us very quickly and we developed rituals, reading books, singing songs, playing games. The children seemed to really enjoy being with us. When Perry really liked something he would say and sign, "More, more!" One of their favorites was singing the hokey pokey.

I've been home for a little over a week now and tonight we had a video conference. Both children recognized us immediately. We sang songs and Perry signed, "More, more," as if we were there in the room with them. It was ten minutes of real connection.

It's so hard to have grandchildren (and their parents) who live so far away. I'm booked for another visit in August and really looking forward to it. In the meantime, they will be nearby in my computer.

Here's a screen shot of the two kids watching me on their Mom's computer screen. You can see they are really engaged.

Kinetic Sculpture Race--Day One

Every Memorial Day weekend the Kinetic Sculpture Race is held in Arcata, Eureka and Ferndale. Floats, based on bicycle chassis' are designed and tested. On Saturday the race starts at The Plaza in Arcata. After brake and sobriety tests, the drivers set off around The Plaza and then through the streets of Arcata to Manila where they cover their wheels, struggle over the dunes and make their way down the beach to Humboldt Bay. Tomorrow they will attach flotation devices and make their way across the bay to Eureka. The race ends in Ferndale on the third day.

We went down to The Plaza early so we could enjoy the farmers market (which was moved to a side street to accomodate the race) and do a bit of shopping at the Co-op. Dick and I then found a prime spot on the corner of The Plaza where we could see and photograph every entry. Before the race starts the contestants are required to make a timed quick exit from their float, pass a sobriety test and a brake test. That all took place right in front of us. Each contestant team includes pilots and pit crew. Gifts are given to the judges.

The Plaza was more crowded than I have ever seen it. It was impossible to move much. A number of people watched the scene from the rooftops. There were food stands set up and Dick and I had some delicious pulled pork made totally with local ingredients.

Once all the testing was complete, the contestants took their floats for a spin around The Plaza. They made about three revolutions to give the crowd a good look at the creations.

Then they set off through the residential streets of Arcata to The Bottoms where the route made its way through farmland and then into Manila. Dick and I followed on our bikes. Some floats had technical difficulties along the way and most teams stopped to regroup at the Manila Community Center before they set off over the dunes to the beach. Riding on sand is not easy on bicycle wheels and most teams had brought foam strips to attach to the wheels to avoid getting bogged down.


The scene at Manila was a festive as at The Plaza. There was a band and numerous food stands. There was also an inflated play structure for children. Teams took time to fix minor problems and prepare for the sand. Dick and I walked up and over the dunes to the beach. It was a bit of a challenge in the soft sand. I can only imagine what it must have been like to pedal a heavy float up and over, yet each team seemed to manage.

Once we had watched most of the floats make it over the dunes and onto the beach, Dick and I pedaled back to Arcata and are looking forward to tomorrow's aquatic leg of the race.

Humboldt Purl 'n Hurl

I had the distinct pleasure of attending two meetings of the Humboldt Purl 'n Hurl Knitting Group while I was visiting Chris and Becky in Arcata. I found the group on ravelry and was given a warm welcome, first on line and then in person. It's a real treat to be with other knitters.

Purl and Hurl meets at Mazzotti's on the Plaza in Arcata. It's an Italian restaurant. While I did not eat dinner there, I can vouch for their creme brulee.

Humboldt Purl and Hurl was started a number of years ago by Velma. You can see her seated in the center of the group photo below.

I'm delighted to know I can visit with them any time I'm in Arcata.

Progress Report, Part 2

charity sweater 2
Originally uploaded by rallaronson

This cardigan is a combination of yarns that I found in my stash. None of the skeins were enough to make a finished object (except perhaps a hat) and the colors coordinate quite well. I'm using the Ann Norling Pattern #53--Kids Top Down Sweater by Gail Tanquary. I've done it before and it's an easy pattern that works up nicely.

Also on the needles is Decimal from the Spring Issue of Knitty. I've gotten rather bogged down on that project and I'm not sure if I'll finish it or frog it.

The Kauni, blogged below, has really held my attention for the past few weeks and it's the project I'm most tempted to work on.

Works in Progress

Kauni 2
Originally uploaded by rallaronson

I haven't blogged in a while because I haven't had much to say. I thought I would update everyone (the three or four people who check in here from time to time) on the progress on my knitting projects.
The photo is of the Kauni sweater for DH. The body is nearly complete. I've done 12 pattern repeats and have about five more to do before I bind off for the shoulders. I've cast on extra stitches at the arm pits and I intend to steek them (this is a bit scary and I will do it at a knitting group meeting where there will be fellow knitters to hold my hand). Once the steeks are cut, I can pick up stitches for the sleeves.
At first I wasn't sure I liked the way the red Kauni shifted to maroon, but now that it's gone to red again, and back to maroon, I'm liking it. I'm undecided about manipulating the color changes on the sleeves. I want both to be the same and to have some red and some maroon. The challenge will be the smaller circumferences on the sleeves which will make the color shifts occur further apart. When I get there, I may cut the yarn to force a color change.
So far, I'm satisfied with the quality of the knitting in terms of evenness and the yarn carries on the wrong side. I think DH will really enjoy this sweater once it's finished.

Package for Perry

Camo Longies Finished
Originally uploaded by rallaronson

Perry has grown and needs longer longies. Another member of my UCNJ Crafts group had some hand dyed yarn she no longer wanted. I was grateful to have it. I combined it with a skein and a half of Waterlily by Classic Elite in the leaf colorway (left over from the February Lady Sweater project) and created a pair of longies for Perry.

They are a bit more purple and bit less blue than the photo depicts. I don't know why the camera has such a hard time making the blues and purples true.

In the package I also included a pair of shorties, also made from stash yarn. I had some hand painted yarn and some Shepherd's Wool, both in blue. I just had enough to make a pair of extra large shorties using the Pimp my Longies pattern by Jenny NZ.



Now I'll need to make a few things for Linny...