knitting by bicycle.

I hear Philadelphia got some snow…

Published February 9, 2010 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: 2010knitting, things i make with my hands, philadelphia

And boy did we!

The City clocked in at 28 inches, but I think we got closer to 24 in my corner of South Philly. It started Friday night, as we were headed back to South Philly from Fishtown. A wintry, snowy, bikeride was had.

On Saturday, we bundled down in the house and worked on some projects and watched movies. I was supposed to be headed to New York to celebrate maslenitsa with my family, but since Bolt Bus canceled all their buses on Friday, and the trains weren’t running, I was stuck in Philly (not that I minded, cause lazy snow days are awesome!). The snow ended mid-afternoon, and the block was abuzz with everyone digging out the sidewalk.

Sunday, we decided to get out of the house for a long walk up to Center City.

Stopping off at Grace Tavern for a couple of beers on the way home.

Did you hear? We’re supposed to be getting more snow tonight too.

—–

Oh, don’t worry. I haven’t just been staring at snow all of 2010. There has been knitting happening and I’m working hard on finishing up old WIPs. I have a new FO and an old WIP that was finished to show off to you. But I’ll leave those to posts later this week. In the meantime, please behold my latest love…

The Shetland Lace Triangle, that everyone has made, knit with Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock heavyweight in the Grawk colorway. I have 2 skeins and am at repeat 8 with 1/3 of the first skein used. A kind friend on Twitter told me to watch my yarn usage when I get to the edging, since it is apparently a big yarn muncher. I’ll be saving the last half of the second skein for that. Anyways, this is going so quickly and I’m having a hard time putting it down. Let me tell you…this monogamous knitting thing…it really lets you finish things pretty quick, don’t it?

Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8 G

Published January 22, 2010 Uncategorized 2 Comments
Tags: photography and camera chit chat

I use a Nikon D60 camera as my primary camera. I purchased it a little over a year ago, and proceeded to not really read the manual due to a lack of time and finishing my thesis. It came with the kit lens and then I quickly bought a 50mm lens, shortly followed by a 35mm lens.

This Nikkor 35mm lens has proven itself to be my absolute favorite, and now that I have more time since school is over, I’m starting to play with my camera more. I’ve been into photography most of my life, and have used SLR cameras before, but geez. None of them had as many functions as these DSLRs!

Here are some of my favorite photos, taken with my trusty 35mm lens, over the past year. It’s proven to be a fun challenge keeping this lens on my camera, forcing me to look at composition differently. Prime lenses are interesting in that way, and I am having fun using this one as my steady constant

Crochet attack

Published January 20, 2010 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: 2010crocheting, things i make with my hands

After seeing so many of my knitterly friends start big granny square blankets, the call of the hook arrived for me. Knowing that a large granny square would never get done (I’ve made one before, gifted to my brother for Christmas a few years back. It took forever, since I found it very boring), I started thinking of a good stash busting crochet project I could do.

Enter the worsted weight hexagon scrap blanket:

I’m loving every moment of it! I’m using the directions found here, but you should really check out all the lovelies that others have made on Ravelry.

Groundhog preparations…

Published January 11, 2010 Uncategorized 4 Comments
Tags: 2010crocheting

I love Groundhog Day. The movie. The day. The hilarity of how everyone really cares if a groundhog “sees” its shadow. How barely anyone remembers if a shadow means more winter or less. The whole thing is great, in my mind.

Last year, I embarrassed my sweet cat, and myself, with this little ditty on Flickr, celebrating the great February day —

This year, I’m joining on on the Groundhog-along that PlanetJune started.

Info is here: Groundhog-along 2010

And there’s a Ravelry group for it as well. Come over and join us!

Finished knits of 2009

Published January 8, 2010 Uncategorized 3 Comments
Tags: 2009knitting, 2010knitting, knitting, things i make with my hands

Well, as many of you may be acutely aware of, this January is particularly chilly. I love winter and cold temperatures, but whew…only a week in to January and I’m counting down to warmer weather.

We had a brief flurry in the wee hours this morning…

…which, coupled with the weird slightly warmer temperature of yesterday and the coldness of last night, created the ideal conditions for a lot of black ice in South Philly.

Regardless, I saddled up on the old steed and got myself to the office…

…where I now sit, about to tell you the tale of the finished knits of ‘09.

—————

This year was the year of accessories and test knitting, it seems. Mind you, that might be more apparent to me since I know the vast amount of works-in-progress languishing in my studio.

I test knit a couple of big hitters, as you might re-call — the gorgeous Honeybee Cardigan by Laura Chau and the lovely Ulmus Rectangle by Kirsten of Through the Loops — but there were a few other test knits as well — Simple Things by the lovely Mary-Heather, Lavalette and the Miller Hat by Kirsten of Through the Loops and New Boots and Contracts by Ann of Weaverknits (as of 12/31/09, however, only 1 sock of the pair had been completed, so it isn’t included in my finished tally). None of those have made it to the blog quite yet…

So, what are the numbers for 2009?

six hats:
1. Thorpe (ravelry link) (blog post)
2. Felicity (ravelry link) (blog post)
3. Miller Hat test knit (ravelry link)
4. Handspun Felicity striped hat (ravelry link)
5. Turn a Square 1 for brother in law (ravelry link)
6. Turn a Square 2 for brother in law (ravelry link)

1 cowl:
Rowan striped cowl (ravelry link)

8 triangular scarves/shawls:
1. Landscape Shawlette in blue (ravelry link) (blog post)
2. Lavalette test knit (ravelry link)
3. Beaded Seraphim (ravelry link)
4. Textured ~~Shawl~~ Kerchief, in garter stitch (ravelry link)
5. Simple Things test knit (ravelry link)
6. Cashmere Landscape shawlette (ravelry link)
7. Tweedy Textured Shawl (ravelry link)
8. Striped shawl (not shown in mosaic, cause I forgot about it!) (ravelry link) (blog post)

2 rectangular scarves:
1. Ulmus Rectangle (ravelry link) (blog post)
2. Melody Shawl (no FO pics were taken before it was gifted (ravelry link)

1 pair of socks:
toeless Charade socks (ravelry link)

2 toys:
Kiwi birds (ravelry link) (blog post)

1 circular shawl
Vortex Shawl (ravelry link)

2 sweaters
1. Honeybee Cardigan (ravelry link) (blog post)
2. Monday Morning Cardigan [still haven't taken proper FO pictures] (ravelry link)

—

Wow, so looking at this makes me see how much I didn’t blog about. I’d like to blame it on finishing graduate school and the resulting summer of freedom, which pulled me out of the house and away from the computer (phew!).

What am I hoping to accomplish in 2010? I do have some crafting goals for the year:

-Reduce my knitting stash by 30%, which will involve crocheting a Hexagon blanket with a lot of scraps and lone skeins, and things without designated projects in mind.
-blog projects more regularly
-get back to sewing again, since I have many a quilt in progress and in mind

And the biggest of all…

Finish or Frog! I’ve gathered up my works-in-progress and want to finish the ones I know I will want and rip out the ones I’ve lost complete interest in.

What are your crafty, or non-crafty, goals for 2010?

A look back / A look forward

Published January 4, 2010 365days , bicycle , camera and photo chit chat , camping , friends + loved ones , grad school , philadelphia , rhinebeck , scooter 4 Comments

Happy New Year, everyone! 2009 seems to have passed quickly, though there were many moments throughout the year that seemed as though they would never end. It was an up and down 365 days for me, but I feel as though I ended it on an upswing and am confident that 2010 will continue on upwards.

A quick recap, shall we?

January through April was consumed by researching and writing my master’s thesis.

A trip was taken to Western PA and West Virginia, articles and books read, writing, rewriting, editing, etc. All to complete my thesis on abandoned mine remediation in Pennsylvania.

It was surprising to see that I finished, and quite well, since there were many times during my couple of years in graduate school where I seriously contemplated throwing in the towel. But I didn’t, and I graduated in May.

Shortly afterwards, I joined Kasy and a few friends on a weeklong bicycle tour from Pittsburgh to Leesburg, Virginia.

We cycled approximately 50 miles a day, camped each night, and were completely self supported. I learned a lot about myself, my physical capabilities, my emotional and psychological shortfalls and how I can remedy that, and about Kasy and us. It was fun, educational, and quite a feat, and the trip ended in my first bicycle show, the Cirque du Cyclisme.

The summer of ‘09 also found us with a brand new toy to play with — a Genuine Stella Scooter:

And I tried to complete a sprint triathlon, that ended up being a pathetic duathon due to flooding rain the morning of the event.

[this photo was taken after I registered for the triathlon, as one of my 365 self portaits]

I learned to spin on a spindle.

I turned 27.

Raised $300 and rode the MS 150 from Philadelphia to Ocean City, NJ over 2 days with my best friend, Rebecca.

Fall ‘09 found me, and my mom, at Rhinebeck for the second time.

This time, having run in to a few wonderful internet knitterly friends…

On the home front, Philadelphia was dealing with some bicycle/car/pedestrian drama which poses possible threat to my happiness on 2 wheels. But luckily, there is positive movements happening that will, hopefully, prevail and allow us cyclists to be respected on the streets as vehicles, which we legally are.

We had an insane amount of snow in Philly…

…yet still had fun on 2 wheels at the Bilenky Cyclocross race.

and I celebrated my first Christmas in Philadelphia, instead of heading to NY for the 24th-25th.

Of course, lots of knitting was done, but I’ll do a recap in the next blog post.
…..

All in all, the year was alright, but I am expecting more from 2010. More rowhome renovation, more bicycle advcacy, more bicycle touring, more scooter fun, more crafts, more photography, more smiles, and more happiness.

I’m almost complete with my 2nd year of the 365 self-portrait project and I’m not sure if I’ll continue on for a 3rd. I have mentally committed myself to another Year in Pictures on Flickr, but the more relaxed version that some flickr friends are also doing.

Regardless, thanks for the comments and support you’ve all shown through this crazy little space called the internet. Much love to you as we start 2010 off with a bang!

Winterwonderland

Published December 22, 2009 bicycle , blog , friends + loved ones , philadelphia 5 Comments

When the forecast indicated that Philadelphia would get snow, this past weekend, I didn’t believe it.

I guess I was wrong…

We spent Saturday huddled up inside, watching the snow fall and accumulate an an alarming rate, and watching people try to keep on top of the shoveling. By nightfall, South Philly had a good 15 inches going —

And we estimate there was 20 by the time we were up on Sunday. Luckily the snow stopped falling by then, because we were getting ready to head up the North Philadelphia for the Bilenky Cycle Works Annual Junkyard Cyclocross Race!

While Kasy helped his coworkers dig out the course (Kasy works at Bilenky, fyi), I registered racers. A good turn out, considering most of the city was still fairly unplowed. Beers were dranken. 3 races took place (A class, B class, females). Awards given. And a good time had by all.

You should totally come check it out next year. It’s always a good time.

Have a safe and happy holiday, if you’re celebrating!

A little late, but here you go…

Published November 30, 2009 2009 knitting , blog , friends + loved ones , gifts , knitting 6 Comments

So, a few posts back, I mentioned that there was another test knit completed this summer. Silly me, I forgot to tell you all about it!

By mid-summer, I had agreed to test knit a rectangular version of the popular Ulmus Shawl by Kirsten at Through the Loops. She picked the color scheme, and I have to say…I love what she chose for the scarf!

Using 2 skeins of Koigu KPPPM and 2 skeins of Spud and Chloe Fine, I knit the medium size in the pattern, using almost the entirety of each skein.

I absolutely loved knitting this. It’s easy but keeps you interested, especially with the changing color of the Koigu. The end charts are a delight, and work up so fast. It really is a lovely knit. I had planned on keeping it for myself, afterwards, but even though I love it very much, I found myself not really wearing it. I’m more of a triangular scarf person, then rectangular.

Lucky for me, I have many enthusiastic friends. I gifted this to my high school best friend, Laura, over Thanksgiving weekend. She loves it as much as I do, and I know it will get a lot of wear out of her.

Now my brother is requesting one, in a palette of blues. Guess I get to knit another one! No complaints here!

The details:
Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm
Yarn: Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM) (colorway: p621) & Spud & Chloë Fine (colorway: orange)
Yardage: 2 skeins of Koigu (350 yds) and 2 skeins of Spud & Chloë Fine (496 yds)
Mods: none

raveled

Rhinebeck 2009

Published November 2, 2009 blog , family , friends + loved ones , knitting , rhinebeck , travel 5 Comments

Hey there! A bit later then I wanted, but here’s a quick little post about Rhinebeck.

Last year, my mom and I went up to the NY State Sheep & Wool for the first time and loved it. This year, we wanted to go again, and again loved it.

The drive up from downstate NY was full of pretty leaves and listening to music, and we arrived at a decent time to the fairgrounds. It was a bit chillier then we anticipated, so the first stop was for hot chocolate, of course.

Not wanting to miss a thing, we went into every barn and tried to peak in every stand. Of course a visit to the animals was made…

As we exited the first barn, I ran into Christi (of Knitting Pretty in DC), which was super exciting since she now lives in Philly but we hadn’t met up and hung out yet.

This was just the first of internet knitterly pals I would come across today.

I had a mission to meet up with Jesh for a quick Honeybee Cardigan test knit photograph. Thankfully, she obliged! And after seeing hers in person, I still want to make another one in black. It’s amazing how the color choice really changes the whole look and feel of the cardigan!

As I was leaving one of the barns, Danielle (of aswim in knits) saw me and made sure to say hi! It was great to finally meet her, Caro (of Splityarn), and Pam (of Flintknits), in person.

After so much flickr’ing and tweeting to each other, it was a delight to see them for real. And to see that the Splityarn strap I had gifted my mom with for Christmas last year was indeed a popular choice.

We had a brief lunch, while watching the sheep dog trials* and made sure to check out the last few barns before heading back downstate. Whitney (of Whit Knits), another flickr/twitter friend, saw me walk by and caught up with me. I’m so glad she did, since I didn’t see her and would have been sad to not have met up (cell phone service was non existent for me, so her phone msg wasn’t listened to until I got back to New Rochelle). Silly me. I didn’t take a picture of us! I will say this, though, I want to knit a version of her Rhinebeck sweater. It is even more amazing in person!

There were so many more of my internet knitterly friends at Rhinebeck that I missed. I blame it on my shyness keeping me away from the Ravelry meet-up. Next year, friends. I will be there. *Pinky swear!*

It was great fun to go again, and next year my mom and I will totally make a trip again.

*Oh. Want to know where all the rest of my photos are? Including the ones of the adorable sheep dogs? They are in computer heaven because of the google redirect virus, the misconception that if the computer and my hard drive tells me all my photos were moved off my computer onto the hard drive that it is the truth, and the need to wipe my harddrive and restore factory settings. Yes, there were tears. Lots of tears. Back up your files guys. Like 8 times. Cause sometimes that one time might be a lie.

Happy October, Socktober, Socktoberfest…and Autumn!

Published October 6, 2009 2009 knitting , bicycle , blog , knitting , philadelphia , socktoberfest 2 Comments

Wow. This year is just flying by, isn’t it?

Things have been humming along, here at chez Knitting by Bicycle.

• Philadelphia almost closed the libraries and other essential services, in a rather anxious budget mess that was thankfully resolved at the 11th hour.

• Summer came to an abrupt close, ushering in changing leaves and crisper air.

• Philadelphia had its first Naked Bike Ride

[yes, I know this isn't of naked people OR of bikes, but hey. I respect all those who rode and I don't want to plaster them on the internet without consent.]

• Kasy’s daughter turned the mighty age of 18. An apple pie was baked in her honor and a Silk kerchief scarf was knit and gifted.

[details on Ravelry. In short, 1 skein of Noro Kureyon Sock + 1 skein of some label-less navy blue merino sock yarn + Kate's awesome instructions]

• A silly trip to Linvilla Orchards, on our scooter, on a drizzly Saturday, to get some apples and have some fun.

• And the beginning of a month long adventure of socks. My main focus on socks, this month, will be to finally finish my Through the Loops Mystery Socks from 2008 as well as to cast on and complete the Mystery Socks of 2009. Join us, over in the Socktoberfest group and the Fans of Through the Loops group, both on Ravelry.

Oh. And I biked 150 miles for MS this past weekend. And Rhinebeck is very, very, very soon. Gosh, I love this month!