Rock Off

Those who know me know a big part of my life the last few decades was training for huge bicycle tours. Most notably was Ride the Rockies. I've been inwardly hoping (sort of against hope) we might one day be able to participate again. I did 8 rides (although one year I pedalled stationary bikes while Lizard rode because I'd been ordered by my doctor NOT to ride due to neck issues). I have longed for my 9th and 10th. It's really hard for me to end a streak on an 8!

Ride the Rockies was run by The Denver Post for more than three decades. A certain professional cyclist who will forever more remain unnamed in my writing did a number on cycling fans worldwide, and I think Ride the Rockies took a bit of a related hit in the years that followed. Some bicycle manufacturers have practically priced themselves out of existence, and survivors are taking all kinds of steps to endure after struggling through the pandemic. The pandemic killed more than just humans; so many people lost their livelihood, and many are still struggling. The current economy doesn't help. I think cyclists in general are becoming a little more wary of riding on the road because so many drivers are distracted these days. Electric bikes are THE thing. Gravel bikes are gaining real traction in popularity. And, let's face it. Tour cyclists are an aging population not being replenished by younger riders.

Last year, another of our favorite rides, Elephant Rock, retired the jersey. Although it's not an official throwing in of the towel yet, last week the new owners of Ride the Rockies, which was sold in 2021, announced low registration has forced cancellation of this year's ride.

Weeklong cycling tours became our best memories after the unforgiving Parkinson's diagnosis. Long, challenging days in the saddle were such a huge part of our life. It literally hurts to watch these rides, one by one, fade away. We never did give up hope of being able to ride at least part of one day of one ride in the future, if we could.

Thank you, Ride the Rockies, for some of the best rides of my life, for challenging me, for helping me see I can do hard things, for giving me reason to get up and pedal to the medal, even if it was windy, raining or, ugh, snowing. (A training ride or cycling tour are the ONLY times I don't love snow.) I love what Ride the Rockies made my life. I will forever be grateful for the seven week-long rides I got to spend with the love of my life. Best vacations ever, except for Tour de Lavender!

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Snowflake Monday

Welcome to Week 2 of my crochet-along! Bonus points to the crocheter who can guess from whence today's snowflake name came!

It's so funny to go back and listen to the song now because back in my teens, the song was huge. I can remember my siblings and I singing it in the backyard at the top of our lungs whenever it came on the radio. It was played at every dance when I got a bit older. Now I listen to it, and I wonder why I liked it so much!

Rock on!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook; for snowflake: empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line; for rock: 6- to 7-inch smooth flattish river rock

Special Stitches

Popcorn Stitch (pc)

Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.

Essex Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Pc in same sc as sl st, [ch 4, sk next sc, pc in next sc] 5 times; ch 4, sk next sc, sl st in top of starting pc.

Round 3: [In next ch 4 sp work (1 sc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (ch 3 tip between dc picots made), 1 dc*, ch 2, 1 sc] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in same sp to form 12th ch 2 sp of Round.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 4, Snowflake: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 5, in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3 (not a typo!), 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc), ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 4, Rock Covering: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 5, in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3 (not a typo!), 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc*), ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; 1 dtr in next ch 2 sp to form final ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 5: Ch 13 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 11), sl st in 6th ch from hook, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, in tip of next spoke work (1 sc, ch 5, 1 sc), ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp] 6 times, omitting last dc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 13 to form final ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 6: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), sk next ch 5 sp, 1 sc in next ch 5 loop, ch 5, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 loop, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp) 6 times, omitting last dc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form final ch 5 sp of Round.

Rounds 7-?: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 23 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 24th ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 7 until snowflake fits snugly around rock, leaving about a 1- to 2-inch opening on back or bottom side.

Final Round, Rock Covering:Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 5 sp around, inserting rock after about 2/3rds of Round, gently stitching while finishing Round and closing up hole so as not to damage crochet hook; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, leaving 4- to 5-inch tail. Weave end through final Round of dc and pull tight. Bind off again, weave in end. Place in garden!

Snowflake Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Fascination

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Seams So Easy

Uh, oh. Another wedding. Four weeks. Which quilt can I wrap up?

I have two more finished small snowflake temperature quilts. I have a couple of finished quilts I intended to one day give to children. I have an ugly quilt. I have about 14 unfinished quilts. I have so many cheater panels, I could probably open my own quilt store.

I'm still finding it very difficult to schedule time with my sewing machine, so something in the stash will have to do.

Blinded By the Light began with one of my Spoonflower panels, a Photoshopped and digitally enhanced photo of the sun coming through Venetian blinds in my living room years and years and years ago. The working name was Venetian Squiggles. I'd always thought I would do some kind of thin strip rainbow design along the top and bottom to conjure the feeling of the gentle curves of the original photo.

I finally began playing with ideas and scraps during the summer of 2022 and proudly ended up finishing the quilt on June 30. Until I took it off the long arm and inspected the back side. I was SO horrified. I couldn't even photograph the worst parts. I had utterly ruined my beautiful quilt.

I had to look up in my journal what was going on then what might have caused me to get into such a hurry that I somehow missed basting the top of the quilt and what prevented me from picking out and redoing the stitching. Then, after reading just a few pages of my journal, I was shocked I had conveniently forgotten why my life was so turned upside down then.

My dad had died suddenly, and Lizard and I spent an extra two weeks in California trying to help my mom with estate issues. The timing coincided with negotiating with our insurance company regarding the replacement of our roof, which was significantly damaged during the very same storm that took out so many homes in the Marshall Fire in the dead of the previous winter. 'Nuff said, right?

I buried/hid the flawed, embarrassing quilt away. I remember looking up how others fixed such a bad booboo during a couple of waiting room visits, but I let those all those painful memories and that ugly eyesore just sleep a good, long time. Last weekend, I pulled the quilt back out for the first time since July 2022 to assess just how bad it was.

Initially, just like when I first viewed the back of the quilt, I thought there was no way I could ever give this quilt away. I was way too ashamed of how bad it looked on the backside. But I can't finish another quilt in time for the upcoming wedding. I had to try to fix this.

I remembered how some quilters had hand-stitched unsightly bubbles and folds as neatly as they could, smoothing out their booboos as they went. I remembered a couple of crafty quilters who decoratively embroidered over rescue stitching to make it look like it was intentional. I didn't think embroidery would look so good on this quilt unless I did more than just the booboos. I decided to try to stitch down the 3D parts and then cover what didn't look acceptable with patches of matching leftover Kona solids, which I ended up not having to do. Hurrah!

To my surprise, only one area seemed to need a patch after I finished two nights of hand-stitching.

And, after washing, I'm totally in love with this quilt again! Perhaps I might even be able to share the memorable stories behind this quilt with the bride one day!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Bargain Bulbs

Back in about January, I treated myself to four new amaryllis bulbs. They were on clearance, and I was in desperate need of flowery cheer.

I ordered three different species and found out I could get free shipping if I ordered one more. I picked a fourth bulb that was similar to what I already have. Might as well spend what would have been shipping on another flower, right?

They seemed to take a really long time to bloom, and when they did, there was a degree of excitement as well as a hint of disappointment.

All four bulbs have produced blossoms nearly identical. All are very similar to a bulb I already have. I wanted variety. And yet, how can I complain when I get such beautiful blossoms? One bulb consistently produces more than four blooms on each stalk. That is absolutely incredible! And I have beautiful amaryllis flowers in late April. Who could ask for more?!?

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Snowflake Monday

Rock on!

For quite a while now, I've needed to re-cover some of my snowflake rocks in the garden. Well, actually, now it's MOST of my snowflake rocks. Hail and time have done a number on my garden decor.

So I'm thinking perhaps a snowflake rock crochet-a-long might be in order. Are you game?

My goal, for now, will be one new snowflake (or decorative, not necessarily snowflake-themed) rock per week. I'd like to do one per day, but given how my last two years have gone, I'll start slow and try to work myself up to higher levels as I adjust to my new crochet schedule. I would be so happy to have you join me!

I never wanted to name my snowflakes with Star Wars flare, but today's flake is such a cute little guy. I named it after a snowplow named after another cute little guy. A few months ago, I tried to get AI (Artificial Intelligence) to craft a snowflake snowplow, without much success. Yet perhaps this image will leave you with a cute little smirk...

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 3.5 inches from point to point
Materials: For snowflake: size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line. For rock: size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, 4- to 5-inch flatish river rock.

Snowda Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same sp as sl st, [ch 3, sk 1 dc) 2 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [2 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 2, sk next ch, 1 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 4: Sk next dc and sl st into next dc, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, [ch 3, sk ch 2 sp, 1 fpdc around post of next dc, ch 3, sk next ch 2 sp and next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 3, 2 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last 2 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 5, Snowflake: 3 sc over post of dc directly below, [3 sc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 tip work (3 sc, ch 7, 3 sc)] 6 times, omitting last 3 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 5, Rock Covering: 3 sc over post of dc directly below, [3 sc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 tip work (3 sc, ch 7, 3 sc)] 6 times, omitting last 3 sc and last 4 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 7 picot of Round.

Round 6: Ch 11 (count as 1 dc and [[ch 9), sl st in 6th ch from hook] 2 times, ch 3, in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc)] 6 times, omitting last dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 11 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 7: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [[ch 5), 1 dc in next ch 5 loop] 2 times; ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 3 tip] 6 times, omitting last dc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 18th ch 5 sp of Round.

Rounds 8-?: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 16 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 18th ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 8 until snowflake fits snugly around rock, leaving about a 1- to 2-inch opening on the back or bottom side.

Final Round, Rock Covering:Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 5 sp around, inserting rock after about 2/3rds of Round, gently stitching while finishing Round and closing up hole so as not to damage crochet hook; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, leaving 4- to 5-inch tail. Weave end through final Round of dc and pull tight. Bind off again, weave in end. Place in garden!

Snowflake Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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