Vogue Stitchionary2 - Cables

Vogue’s Stitchionary2 - Volume Two Cables
Vogue has developed a series of knitting pattern encyclopedias which places six balls of yarn in various shades of one color on the front cover. Each volume uses a different color. This one the choice was brown and the topic was cables.

I have some partiality to cables, Arans and Celtic designs and so I was anticipating looking at the various patterns contained in this volume and I wasn’t disappointed. The first few pages give a short history of cables. It is believed that the cable originated with Celtic tradition via the Book of Kells in the 9th century. Further, there is some idea that the Book of Kells may have contained illustrations of cable-knit sweaters. The book relates that Aran patterns were used for fisherman sweaters and used for identification purposes which is somewhat suspect in current histories of Aran development.

The book is well organized and arranges the patterns from easy to most difficult. There are written instructions and a chart for each pattern. Some of the pattern names enable you to imagine the cable in your mind, such as:

Easy - mock, argyle, thistle, horseshoes and snow angels
Diamonds - embossed, tic-tac-toe
Pretzels - river run, Cleopatra, wheat
Braids - bean stalk, Pippi
Allover - honeycomb, waves, pie crust (lattice type), cable maze, ribbed cable
Combinations - Jacob’s ladder, rick rack and Art Deco

All in all there are 202 pattern designs from which to select to create your personally styled-cabled sweater. I’m hoping to use some of the above mentioned to develop a special design of my own. I would rate give this stitch directory 4 stars for variations in pattern and difficulty of knitting. The only disappointment is that the history section was a little short and some of it is discounted by several other historians.

Aerobics - YMCA Water Style

This last week I tried a new water aerobics class at the Downtown YMCA. Whoa! I thought I was in shape but it felt like I had never done aerobics before! Splashing around like an uncoordinated savage trying to keep up with the older regulars in the class. Not sure whether this is for me especially since I ached for more than half a week. Just recovering today. Maybe I should give it one more try on Monday after I've rested for the weekend.

Snickerdoodle

Yes, that is a Pennsylvania Dutch cookie but in this instance it's also a Labradoodle puppy we have adopted. She is black with brown eyes and curly hair and tail and ohhhhh soooooo cute! She has a great disposition and pleasant smile too. She is 15 1/2 weeks old and learning tricks quick. Frank and I are enjoying playing fetch with her and the many short walks Nicke escorts us on.

She's learned to climb the stairs, sit, and down. She retrieves a ball and brings it to you as well. We're wondering how much more we will be able to successfully teach her.

Rockies' Stitch 'N Pitch

Baseball and Yarn. Rockies' Dinger sporting a scarf and ready to knit another with large needles and a yarn skein in equal size, gift bags containing yarn, needles and a Interweave Magazine (current edition) and beautiful weather. All of which while being in the Mile High City with my wonderful husband. The game was exciting and included two HRs hit by the Rockies and ended with a win over the Dodgers with a final score of 6-2. What a fantastic event!