Trekking in Utah (Day Three)

This is the last of my Trek-Along hikes in Utah and the start of a brand new sock. Here I am on the Lake Mary Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon working on a sock for my husband, John.


John went with me on this hike and we were both humbled by the altitude. The beginning of the trail was just too steep for us flat landers who are used to living at sea level. Where did all the oxygen go! After some huffing and puffing we decided to turn back and take an easier trail.

So, back to Silver Lake where I had been with Margene just the day before. I didn't mind going back at all.


The trail around the lake is a boardwalk for most of the way. It is flat and easy to walk. John just happened to have his fishing rod in his backpack and of course I just happened to have yarn and needles. So while John fished, I worked on the sock.

Trekking XXL (#115)

The weather was perfect and we had a great day walking, fishing, knitting and taking pictures. I know we will go back next time we visit Salt Lake City.

Sunlight Through the Trees



Pussy Willows At Silver Lake

Trekking in Utah (Day Two)

The weather was perfect for Saturday's trek. Clear blue skies and cool temperatures. As planned, Margene picked me up at the hotel and we drove to Big Cottonwood Canyon for breakfast at Silver Fork Lodge. It was our first time to meet in person, but it was nothing like meeting a stranger. Conversation came easily and we enjoyed our visit. Talked so much in fact that I forgot to take pictures at the restaurant.

After a delicious breakfast (I had the famous sourdough pancakes), we drove the short distance to Silver Lake for our trek. It a beautiful place!

No wonder it's one of Margene's favorites.

Here's Margene showing off her Trekking sock.


And here's one of my socks.


You probably can't tell, but we're using the same colorway (#133). I happened to win my Trekking yarn in her birthday contest. The question I answered correctly was to name her favorite weekend breakfast spot. So it seems only right that we would eat at Silver Fork and then take this trek. I had a great time!

Later on Saturday

On Saturday afternoon I met Marcia and her lovely daughter in Salt Lake City at the Gateway Center. This was the first time we've met in person. I know Marcia from the Lucy Ladybug Knit-Along. This charity knit-along provides burial clothing to hospitals in Utah for premature and full term babies. I am a volunteer and Marcia is the founder. She (along with friends) started this group in memory of her niece, LucyBug.

We browsed the knitting books in Barnes and Noble and spent time visiting over ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. Later Marcia's sister joined us and we visited some more. Both ladies are just as nice as I thought they would be and I'm really glad we had a chance to meet! I had my camera with me, but forgot to take pictures. I was able to deliver this donation in person though.

More pictures and pattern details here.

Trekking in Utah (Day One)

This past weekend I tagged along with my husband on a business/fishing trip. We arrived in Salt Lake City on Friday to be greeted by rain, thunder and lightning. Not good for fishing or trekking, but we headed for the Heber Valley anyway hoping for a break in the weather.

Though the sky was stormy...


And the trail was wet...


And the water was too swift for the fish to bite...


We still enjoyed the beautiful scenery...






And the Trekking socks? They made the hike just fine.

Retro Rib Socks designed by Evelyn A. Clark
Interweave Knits, Winter 2004
Trekking XXL #133

Knitting For The Babies

It's been a while since I've shown you a hat or a pair of booties. Knitting for the babies has taken a backseat to graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and life in general. I did manage to knit a few things for The Preemie Project though:

Lavender Hat: Pattern from Oneskein. DK yarn, size US5 dpns, CO 54 sts = 3-5 lbs.

Variegated Hat: Variation of this pattern. WW yarn, size US7 dpns, CO 48 sts = 3-5 lbs.

Blue Hat: Variation of same pattern above. DK yarn, size US5 dpns, CO 72 sts = 9-11 lbs.

Booties: A new pattern for me. I really like it. DK yarn, size US5 straights = 9-11 lbs.

Now that things are getting somewhat back to normal around here, I think I'll have more time for the knitting I enjoy the most. This arrived from Donna the other day all the way from Australia.

It's true that knitters are the most generous people around. Thank you Donna for this lovely gift. Your package went in the mail yesterday. I'm excited about trying the patterns in these books. Donna made these hats from the Cleckheaton book. This prompted a comment from me which led to the exchange. Aren't they adorable? The best thing is that all the designs in this book are also written in preemie sizes! The yarn she sent is fingering weight which is perfect for tiny hats and booties and hard to find where I shop. This is just the inspiration I need.

I Feel Like A Cheater

Trek-Along With Me is off to a great start. There have been some beautiful pictures posted of scenery and socks. Some treks have taken place in the city, some on the beach and some in the wilderness. The one thing I've noticed that they all have in common though is that all the socks are in the very early stages of being knitted (or crocheted). Most people are casting on or still in the pattern selection process. There are a few socks that have been knitted past the cuff, but not many. So call me a cheater if you must, because my socks are finished. Obviously, most everyone assumed the start date was June 1. That part wasn't clear to me, so I asked and was told I could cast on anytime. So technically I didn't cheat, it just looks that way. Perhaps all will be forgiven when it's learned that this is just the first of two pairs I'm making for the trek-along. The first trek for these socks is planned for this weekend in Utah. I'll save the pattern details for then, but I will show you a sneak peek photo now.

Recognize the pattern? Any guesses? No cheating allowed.

Contest Winners and Totals

Today the Preemie Project Contest comes to an end. Thank you to everyone that participated. You guys have really been busy! I'm happy to say that in only one month's time, the total number of hat/bootie sets donated through this contest were 123 (71 sets were sent to Michigan and 52 sets were sent to Iowa) and the total number of blanket squares made were 142. I appreciate all of you so much. Because of your generousity, 123 families will be helped during a very difficult time.

Now it's time to announce the contest winners. The winners were chosen in the traditional low tech way of drawing a name from the hat, or more precisely, a Ziploc bag.


Winning 10 skeins of Basics Stop Print in the Michigan drawing is Debbie.
Winning 10 skeins of Cotton-Plus in the Iowa drawing is Marcia.
Winning 10 skeins of Crazy Cotton in the Blanket Squares drawing is Patty.

Congratulations, ladies! I'll mail your prizes just as soon as I receive your mailing address.

I hope everyone enjoyed working for the little babies. For me, there is joy in doing good for others. I hope you experienced this too. Your contribution is important and makes a difference. For a little inspiration and encouragement, listen (or read the words) to this home recording of the song, Little Babies, written and sung by my husband.