One Too Many Mistakes

I started this Tulips and Rosebuds Baby Blanket for Ryan's newest family member. Though a bit complicated, the pattern is a fairly straightforward combination of yarn overs, increases and decreases. No big deal. And I've used Fiber Trends patterns before. This particular pattern, however, highlights one of my weaknesses: when the stitch count changes, I depend on the pattern to tell me how many stitches I should have at the end of each row. Granted, this pattern did warn that the stitch count would change, but that was the end of the helpful advice. When I finished with the tulip border and started on the first row of rosebuds (after a number of rows), I discovered the stitch count was off and actually even discovered the missing yarn overs. I frogged back to the last row of the tulip border, added the missing yarn overs, and patiently proceeded.

When I started the third set of rosebuds, I discovered my stitch count was off again, this time due to a missing yarn over in the last row of the second set of rosebuds. Quite a ways back. And something had gone terribly wrong in the side tulip border. About this time my patience failed and on a whim I frogged the whole thing. The boys just stared in disbelief. At this point I should probably add that I work full time, have two teenagers and take care of my elderly mother ... so don't have a lot of time to knit without distraction. This pattern, I decided, requires more attention than I can give at this particular time in my life.

I have to admit, I've been spoiled by Deb and Lynda of Cabin Fever. Cabin Fever patterns have a feature that I love, the Reality Check notes. After a change in the stitch count, the notes on the pattern recommend a reality check, telling you exactly how many stitches you should have before proceeding. The reality check feature has saved me much time and frustration.

I've also done quite a bit of reading on the use of lifelines. This technique would have certainly come in handy on this pattern and might be something to consider if I ever decide to try something this complicated again.

Fall Weekend in Wyoming

Or should I say Montana weekend? Craig's business trip to Montana required that he spend the weekend somewhere between Libby and Billings, providing the perfect opportunity for a mini-vacation. I flew to Missoula on Saturday morning, Craig picked me up at the airport and we drove to Yellowstone Park. Arriving at the North Entrance, we discovered that a bridge was out between Norris and Madison, and a fire intermittently closed the road between Bridge Bay and West Thumb. We decided to take our chances with the fire and luckily made it through Yellowstone to the South Entrance and on to Jackson, Wyoming, where we stayed at the Snow King Resort.

The plan for Sunday included the Grand Tetons and a trip back through Yellowstone, this time exiting at the Northeast Entrance with the final destination of Billings. Having heard about Jenny Lake from, well, Jenny--daughter of a Wyoming rancher who thought Jenny Lake was about the prettiest place he'd ever seen--we decided to check it out. Yep, it's worth the trip.


After driving through Grand Teton National Park, we entered Yellowstone at the South Entrance and very soon discovered that the forest fire had jumped the road at Bridge Bay, leaving only the West Entrance as an option for north-bound travelers.

Billings, in eastern Montana, was looking to be a bit farther than originally anticipated. As Craig explored our options using the GPS and chatting with Mr. Park Ranger, I took the new Nikon for a spin and walked through West Thumb, which provided a great view of the forest fire and Yellowstone Lake. Note to self: Take cell phone when walking toward a forest fire, in case spouse does not see where you are going and sends the park rangers out to look for you.

Old Faithful is located between the South and West Entrance and made the required detour an attractive option.

After setting up the camera and enlisting an elderly couple to keep an eye on it, Craig talked me into walking around Old Faithful to see the other hot springs. Just as we got to about the furthest point from Old Faithful, the geyser erupted, four minutes early according to Craig. Hence, no action shots of Old Faithful. Payback for allegedly disappearing into a forest fire? Nah, probably not.

As we approached the West Entrance, dozens of cars lined the road and we joined them, having learned that cars on the side of the road signaled wildlife and, therefore, photo opportunities. I tried out the telephoto lens and was pleased with the results.

We arrived in Billings after dark, slept a few hours, and were at the Billings airport at 5:00 am for my 6:00 am flight to Portland on Monday. Although I had marked myself out at work for the day, my original plan was to stop by the office on the way home from the airport and put in a few hours of work. Instead, I rolled for home and napped until the boys got home from school at 4 pm.