Can we get some heat in here?

I have been freezing all day. I keep adding more layers, but it doesn't seem to help. One of the more unique features of our new apartment is the lack of central heat. Instead, we have what appears to be a giant space heater in the hall between the two bedrooms.

Now, I'm not sure if this is normal for San Francisco apartments or not. I've never lived in an apartment that did not have central heat before, but it's usually just warm enough here that you don't need much heat. Maybe it's a California thing, but somehow I don't think so.

Thankfully, I came across an afgan my mom knit for me while unpacking some boxes yesterday. This should be the perfect thing for keeping the chill away. I could also go for a roaring fire, but that is just wishful thinking.

Something New

The weather here has turned chilly and wet. I can't complain, because although San Francisco is known for being rainy at this time of year, the weather has been unexpectedly nice. Before moving here, I pictured constant rain storms, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

One thing that has interested me, is how one area of the city can be warm and sunny and another cool and foggy. It's hard to dress for that! The area we live in is known for being foggy, but so far it hasn't been too bad. I love to watch the fog roll in though. You can actually see it moving--so different from the fog I'm used to which didn't seem to be coming from anywhere. It was just there.

I've started a new sweater, the colors of which remind me of this dreary day. It's another top-down pattern, which was not intentional. After our boxes arrived, I started going through my yarn and came across a rather unfortunate sweater I had knit in last spring. About the same time, I came across a pattern I had printed out a while ago. I wanted to start something for Project Spectrum, so I spent the night frogging the sweater, and started it the next day.

I think the gauge is too tight for the yarn, since it's a bit stiff, but I'm happy with how it looks anyway. I'd like to edit the pattern slightly and do straight sleeaves for a more noticeable bell effect. Hopefully, I have enough yarn for that.

I also started my Jaywalker socks about a week ago. There hasn't been too much progress, mainly because I've been focused on other things. So far so good, although once again I didn't do a gauge swatch. I did go down a needle size though, since I tend to knit loose. We'll see how that goes.

The yarn is really pretty (more dark berry and less fushia than in the photo), and the pattern is fun. I made a few small mistakes, but decided to ignore them.

I've also had a lot of fun going through boxes and unpacking all my yarn, knitting books and other craft items. It's almost like getting something new. My new craft nook is small and disorganized, but it still makes me happy to have access to everything again. My next job will be to organize the rest of my yarn, all of my magazines and most of my needles, all of which is currently being stored in the living room.

The Joy of the Couch

Yesterday, our belongings finally arrived in San Francisco. It is so nice to have stuff again. Our butts had become so sore from sitting on the floor, that we went to Target and bought an inflatable love seat. I can't wait to pull that thing out on camping trips.

Of course, now that it is all here, the unpacking begins. The morning was spent arranging and rearranging the living room furniture. Unlike our old, huge Chicago apartment, the space is a little tighter here. We no longer have a separate kitchen, living room and dining room, now we have a Kitchen/ Dining Room/ Living Room. I'm very happy with our apartment though, especially considering what some of the options were.

The most difficult room to tackle will be the extra bedroom. Although I did manage to clear a space to the computer, I think most of the boxes will have to be removed before much else can be done. There are a lot of things that need to be crammed into this room!

Well, back to my boxes...

Something Sweet

Happy Valentines Day!

This afternoon I spent some time driving around San Francisco, and I discovered a few things. My original plan was to pick up a magazine, eat lunch at the mall and then come home, but I took a detour on the route home.

I ended up driving along the beach on the road Joel and I have been wondering how to get onto. It was beautiful. The road takes a steep curve by the Cliff House, and another amazing view appears. As I drove around the block to turn around, I pulled over and got out. As I walked down a trail, I noticed another road leading to an overlook. So I got back in the car. This road led to an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was windy and cold, and being the wimpy girl that I am, I did not take any of the trails which I'm sure would have led to an even better view. I think that will be more fun when I can go with Joel anyway.

I also got to enjoy the sunset from our living room window. The view from our apartment is fairly good, and includes a small bit of the Pacific on the clear day, the trees of Golden Gate Park, the Richmond and Presidio neighborhoods, and a number of backyards. I particularly enjoy checking out our neighbors' backyards.

Last Sunday one neighbor hung out two pairs of ladies briefs to dry on coat hangers. It was an amusing sight. Personally, I prefer to dry that sort of thing indoors, but to each his own. I also wondered why there were only two pairs.

Finally, here is a picture of my finished cardigan. I'm very happy with how it turned out. I had to chop off my head due to an unfortunate facial expression.

Pattern: Sunkist Cardi from Through the Loops!
Yarn: Auracania Nature Cotton

Mods: I stopped the raglan increases and inch or two short of the pattern directions. I also added button holes, a first for me!

This was a really fun and quick sweater to knit. The best thing about top down sweaters is that there is very little finishing to do except weave in a few ends. I also found out the reason it is usually recommended that you alternate skeins of hand-dyed yarn every few rows! You can definitely tell on the body of the sweater where I switched skeins, but I'm ok with that. I did alternate on the sleeves though, since the effect probably wouldn't have been as nice there.

Westward, Ho!

We made it! After not seeing my husband for a month, it was great to spend the long drive from Chicago to San Francisco with him. I don't think I drove him too crazy with my backseat driving, although I'm sure that is one thing he didn't miss about me!






What Cheer, Iowa








As expected, the ride through Iowa and Nebraska was a little dull. That was the only time I got any knitting done. I finished half of a scarf for Project Spectrum, and finished most of the body of my Sunkist Cardi. I had knit a good bit of this sweater before we embarked on our trip, and it seemed like a good car project. It was, until I noticed dark pink fuzz all over my coat--and I mean completely covering it. For the rest of the day, I was totally embarrassed to leave the car. Thankfully, I was able to pick up a lint roller that night. Needless to say, that was the last time I picked it up on the trip. I finished the sweater this morning, and I'm hoping to post some finished pics soon.






Cowboy Country (Cheyenne, Wyoming)








The drive through Nebraska was windy, but nothing prepared us for Wyoming. When we arrived at the Motel 6 in Cheyenne Thursday night, it was well below zero and crazy windy. Some of the worst weather I've ever experienced. The next morning was not much better, although it was clear and sunny out. Cheyenne has a charming downtown and was much more cosmopolitan than expected. I enjoyed a chai latte and cherry scone for breakfast, and we had fun checking out the vintage motel signs before leaving town.











Joel braving the cold.











After leaving Cheyenne, the real fun began--for Joel that is. Even though the weather was clear, the wind was so strong that it was kicking up all the snow. At times the road was a complete white out. This continued for the majority of the drive through Wyoming. We kept seeing signs saying "I-80 Closed When Flashing", but the road was open for travel. We wondered how much worse it had to get before they closed the road. I'd hate to be there during a snow storm!




Crazy Wyoming weather!























































Even though the weather was insane, Wyoming was beautiful. I didn't get any knitting done, because I didn't want to miss anything. I spent the rest of the trip taking an obscene amount of pictures. More to come soon!