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I woke up this morning with the full intention of teaching myself to knit in the round. Today’s the day I get my stuff together and pick up the double pointed needles! I told myself. So, at 8:30 in the morning, I found a pattern for a simple hat and cast on 28 stitches on four double pointed needles:

However, when I went to join them (so that the yarn on all four needles connected seamlessly), I somehow dropped a stitch and ended up with 27 stitches on one of the needles. I didn’t realize this until I put an inch or so on the sticks (which hung awkwardly while I worked with the free needle), when I proceeded to make yet another mistake that, to me, seemed unsalvageable. So I unraveled (or “frogged”) the whole thing and decided to make a scarf instead:

It worked out well because the yarn (which is a print, meaning it’s multi-colored) would have looked weird as a hat. As a scarf, however, it seems to have worked out well. The final dimensions are 6″ wide (when stretched) by 38.5″ long. It should be a good size for a 4-year-old child, yes?

Over the last two weeks, I have knitted two scarves.  This is momentous because I have only been knitting for about a month… after first trying to learn to knit two years ago.  Thanks to a crafty coworker (who urged me to bring my needles to work so she could help me figure out where I was going wrong) and KnittingHelp.com, I got the hang of casting on, knit stitches, purl stitches, and binding off.  With these skills in hand (and access to free patterns via Ravelry), I was able to knit these two scarves:

The gray one is Alex’s scarf. The pink scarf will go to my sister. (How do you like the model? It’s Corduroy!)

I still have to learn how to increase and decrease, as well as knit in the round. Then I can really cook! (I have so many projects in mind! The limited skills of my fingers is frustrating. Without learning these three things, I am limited to just rectangles — or scarves. I want to be able to make hats, cowls, sweaters, gloves, socks, toys, … !)

My classes ended on December 22nd… so I’ve been trying to keep myself busy. (This was my last semester of library school! As soon as all of my grades are entered, I will be awarded with a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science!)

…I think I may read a book next. (Gasp!)

I have never biked more than 20 miles on any given day. However, I want to take on the 60-mile trip up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park. If I maintain a speed of 10 MPH (which I will probably end up averaging, considering that I’ll be trekking up hills and mountains by the end of the day), it should take me about 8 hours to get there, including rest stops. Once in Stony Point, NY, I can get a room (and a shower) for the night and begin the trip back down early the next morning.

There already exists a mapped out bike path from Chinatown to Bear Mountain in Bikely.com. All I would have to do is:

1. ensure that all roads still exist,
2. buy a map and outline the route, and
3. consider buying a separate GPS device (for peace of mind)

Of course, I would also need the appropriate gear (but first I would need to find out what constitutes “appropriate gear” for a trip of this magnitude) and supplies.

In the meantime, I’ll have to build up my endurance by taking progressively longer trips on my bike.  Unfortunately, the temperature is getting lower and I’m finding fewer excuses to get out there in this weather.  (Somehow, my 3-hour commute to work and back is becoming less appealing and more crazy sounding.)  Therefore, I will have to wait until it starts warming up in the spring to begin “training” for this 120-mile trip.  I’m planning on taking this trip in late May or early June, before the humidity sets in and smothers New York.

You know, I bought my bike from a guy in Stony Point.  I drove the 60 miles up there on my car and hauled my new [to me] bike.  This time, the bike would be taking me there and back.