Until I can get to the elastic waist part of my pink skirt, I've been working on my Summer Flies shawl.
It's nearly done; only 11 (long) rows of the ruffle section to go and then I can bind it off. It's a fast knit with simple patterns. I discovered that the metal needle I started with is too slippery for the bamboo yarn, so I switched to a longer, plastic vintage circular needle from my mom's old stash, and it holds the yarn so much better.
One thing that annoys me is that I knit cross-season. I'm finishing a skirt and shawl perfect for spring, but I won't wear them for quite a while. And for the last few years, I seem to finish my heavy wool sweaters in May, just as it turns 80F degrees! So as I contemplate starting a new project, I'm thinking about how to get myself on a better seasonal schedule, so I can actually wear things out when I finish them.
Our Columbus Day weather was incredibly warm and summery, and Chris and I spent the day in Jamestown, RI, at the Jamestown Classic Race. It's a mix of road and criterium races, as the riders do one or two 19-mile laps around Conanicut Island, on the main roads instead of an industrial park/parking lot type setting. It's a little harder to take photos because you get only one or two chances to catch the racers as they go by at 20-25 mph, instead of the 25-30 chances you have when they do one-mile laps in a criterium race, but I ended my season as race photographer with this beauty:
Chris is the fourth rider from the left, nearest the yellow line. Click to enlarge, and see that beautiful ocean view.
It was downright hot in the bright sun, and I loved every minute of it. While waiting for Chris to come by, I could stand and stare at my favorite bridge (don't ask me why I have a favorite bridge, but I do)
The Pell (Newport, RI) Bridge
and soak up the ocean views to get me through the six months of cold winter that is coming.
Chris came in 23rd of about 40 riders. He was doing well until he narrowly avoided a crash on the back stretch before the finish. Sometimes it's not about finishing in the top ten, but just finishing upright!
After the race, we had lunch at a wonderful outdoor restaurant. In 2007, when Chris first raced at Jamestown, it was a day just like Monday, all unseasonably summery and warm, and we had lunch at this very place. I didn't think it would happen like that again (two years ago it was windy and freezing cold, and I spent most of the race huddled inside the rec center at the start/finish).
It is such a cool place; with all the plants, it looks a little like a tropical jungle.
After lunch, we rode in the car around the island, past Beavertail Lighthouse, and then slowly made our way home on our favorite coastal roads. It was a perfect day weather-wise, one I will live on for a long time.
How was your weekend?
I always enjoy your rides, I can look at all the scenery without the effort!!
I sometimes do that with my knitting too, but your green shawl is so beautiful!!
Posted by: 2paw | October 12, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Your shawl is so pretty! Glad you are finding time and energy to knit again. It's exciting that you are so close to finishing the skirt! I remember having dinner with you at Jamestown...was it really that long ago?!!
Posted by: Sarah | October 13, 2011 at 07:02 PM
It looks like my first comment got lost...
We must have been on Jamestown at the same time, though we were on the motorcycle, not a bicycle. The weather was unbelievable, wasn't it?
Summer Flies is still in my queue, waiting its turn with dozens of others.
Posted by: Kristen | October 18, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Summer Flies...and it really did this year! How nice that the Jamestown Classic took place on a day that was very, very much like the summer that was. :)
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | October 18, 2011 at 07:16 PM
I'm awwwwful at seasonal knitting. Good luck with fixing that!! Love the restaurant pictures. It definitely looks like a tropical jungle to me :)
Posted by: Sarah | October 19, 2011 at 05:11 PM
Love the shawl you are knitting...I don't do so hot with knitting in season either...
Nice little restaurant...looks serene and fun...
Posted by: Sara | November 05, 2011 at 02:52 PM