dillydallyknitter: September 2008

Monday, September 29, 2008

Weekend Wrap up

A few weeks before the Seasocks Cruise, I decided I needed a black wrap and picked out the Gale Stole as a quick and easy one to do. That, and the pattern is supposed to evoke "gusting ocean breezes" which turned out to be a good prediction of our cruise weather conditions:

Unfortunately, being a slow knitter with poor time management skills, I ended up about 3-4 repeats short and never finished it in time to wear on the Cruise. Disappointed, I tossed it aside and let it sit in the corner and finally, while watching the Sex & the City Movie on Saturday night, I finished it up:

Pattern: Gale Stole by Anne Hanson
Yarn: Newton's Yarn Country Cashmere Merino 4-ply, fingering
Started: April, 2008
Finished: Sept, 2008

It also has so many mistakes in it, it's rather embarrassing, so I'm glad it's black.

In non knitting news, I took my Mother to see the Dale Chihuly Exhibit at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco. The sculptures were so cool and we had a great time. I thought my photos came out pretty fabulous until I realized that the the exhibit had fabulous lighting and that every one's photos stood a good chance of coming out fabulous. Don't believe me? Go to flickr and search under "Chihuly"

Still, wouldn't it be wonderful if you could light your latest yarn purchase like this?
Or display them like this?
These reminded me of glass knitting needles:

Labels: FOs 2008

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Gang That Walks Together Hangs Together

Last weekend, some of Team U went to Stitch N Pitch at the Oakland A's. The "giveaway" was lame (a cheapo tote bag and a scarf pattern) but the beer was cold, the hot dogs were tasty and the company was fun!

Knitpsycho, Leftcoastknits,Me,Josie

And since we've invested about $1M in walking gear, we signed up for the Race for the Cure 5k (walking!)

Sunbny, Knitpsycho, Josie

Unfortunately for me, I still have foot pain in my right foot and found out this week that I have a partially torn tendon so I was sidelined. Fortunately, honorary Team U member K came along to hang out while the Girls were walking.

Knitting wise, I finally was able to start Mystery Shawl 4 yesterday and, as the world's slowest lace knitter, have a ways to go before I catch up to clue 3.

I think, in response to all the negative and scary News this past week, I had this urge to do something comforting and so I knit dishcloths. I must have been really stressed because I made 7 .

And, in a knitting first, I even knit some Halloween themed dishcloths BEFORE the actual event!

Labels: dishcloths, Team Unraveled

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I DID IT!!

After 4.5 months of training and preparing, Team Unraveled completed the Breast Cancer 3-Day! I walked 60 miles in over 3 days! Our Team raised over $20,000 for Breast Cancer research and I got to hang out with some of the most beautiful, kick-ass women in the world.

Victory pose in the Holding Area at the Closing Ceremony. LCK, A, ME, Knitpyscho and Josie (not pictured is Sunbny who went home early with a hurt hip)

Our camp site for 3 days: Crissy Field, at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Can't get a view like that at the Ritz Carlton! (but they do have better bathrooms)

LCK and I were interviewed for the Channel 2 Evening news! Lemme tell ya-seeing yourself blathering on TV after walking 20 miles and with no make up on is a real treat!

Our Team won the Best Decorated Tent contest for our section! If you remember, we knitted pennants to honor or remember those who have fought breast cancer in their lives. We took the pennants, made a bunting (using a gazillion inches of i-cord) and linked our 3 tents.

First night at camp--not many other Walkers camped out wearing hand knitted headgear! (Knitpsycho even has her sock bag in tow!)

At night, the Remembrance Tents honored those who we've lost to breast cancer and reminded us why we were there.

My friend, K, the best Head Cheerleader. EVER. She drove ahead, setting up cheering stations for our friends & family and stood for hours in the sun and wind cheering on not only our team, but hundreds of walkers...and she has a great sense of humor:
Norwegian cowbells rule!

My Mom, Sister & Dad were pretty awesome cheerleaders too--as were all our friends and family!

On the morning of Day 3. Some of my favorite people in the world. I'd walk to the ends of the earth for these women.

At the second to last Pit Stop on the last day. At this point, we had 4.3 miles to go and every step was a challenge-but we're still smiling!

Joy and an emotional ending at the Closing Ceremonies. Funny--I didn't feel any pain at this point....

...but I sure did when I got home!
This really was a life changing event. I'm so glad it's over but I'm so glad I did it. It was hard and it was fun. We had fights, tears, laughter and enough memories to last a lifetime.