It is done! The Birthday Cable Scarf and Hat set for my Mom

It is my Mom's 85Th Birthday tomorrow.
I just finished the birthday present.

This cable hat and scarf pattern is from the book "Cables Untangled", mentioned in a previous post.

Yarn used is Plymouth Encore worsted. I used the suggested #7 needles, but didn't use the circular needle recommended for the first part of the hat. I used #7 double points for the entire hat.

I am used to double points from knitting tube socks, and other simple hats.

I tried..to use the circular at the start of the hat and the suggested 88 cast-on, but keeping the stitches from twisting on the circulars was not happening.
Following the instructions, (except for the circular needle) I cast on 88 stitches = 22 on each double point (I used 5 dpt).

Trouble started when I started to work the increases as the pattern was written. For one thing, doing 1 round as the pattern seems to suggest, does NOT increase to 132 when you are starting with 88 stitches. (in the book photo of this project, the hat looks lovely) I wondered about the fit and finish resulting from my needles. There was a nice 2x2 rib for the band, then, as I worked the increases, poofed out globs and knots..no where resembling the knot cables that I was able to knit in the companion scarf.

My BB math brain decided (after considering scraping the hat entirely), that if I cast on 96 stitches, 24 cast-on each needle.(a cable pattern of 12) might work.

I will let the reader and my Mom decide if it was successful.

I didn't have to go far, for snowshoeing today..

Waiting for camping season.

Grapevines in Winter

Tread softly

Photos from my yard and neighborhood.

A few pictures from August 06 exploration of Olympic National Park

Picture 1. Fireweed or maybe not?

Picture 2. a lovely view from our hike on Hurriane Hill trail

Picture 3. Roosevelt Elk relaxing in the sun

Picture 4. Carrie Glacier, view from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. Olympic National Park, WA

These pictures were taken in the last week of August, 06. Like I said in my previous post this evening, I was reminded of summer...

I took a break from Knitting and did my first snowshoe hike at Hurricane Ridge on Sunday

The picture to the left is my friend Nancy, who now shares an enthusiasm for snowshoeing.
Nancy participates in the Leukemia Foundation Marathons. She is in training for an upcoming event.

This was a pause, with a beautiful view, (that doesn't show up completely in this photo) of Vancouver Island, BC and the Coastal Mountain Range. View from Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, WA.

I love to knit, but this blog is also about camping & outdoor adventures.
Taking a break from knitting, on Sunday, January 14, a friend and myself had our first experience snowshoeing.

At the end of the day, I was tired, but feeling very pleased with myself! The hike was only 1.5 miles..but in snowshoes, that translates to 3 miles. I hiked up hills and down hills, that I never would have attempted in just hiking boots. I was glad for the crampons my snowshoes had.

I was glad that I didn't fall when I stepped on my own snowshoe. Glad to hear the Ranger's lecture. Not only did it inform, but it allowed me to catch my breath after climbing the hills!

Since November, I have been too much indoors, occupied enjoyably with knitting.

This hike was what I needed to remind me of summer. I know that seems strange. But, really, it did remind me of summer...camping, enjoying a hike..
Actually..the last week of August, I was at Hurricane Ridge, enjoying views from the visitor center, continuing on the Park road to a hike....in August we could park to the right in the additional parking at the Visitor's center. This day in January, that parking spot is under 10 feet of snow.