More April Snow -- and squirrel

 It is still snowing in Colorado in late April. We live in the foothills so we are a bit higher than the rest of
the cities of the Denver area. Unfortunately, the forecasts are for more rain than snow this week, so maybe the snow is gone for the season. I like the cool weather and snow, so I am not looking forward to the heat of summer. 

Wookie is looking out the window at the squirrel on the deck. Both stare at each other in relative peace.

Another Alaska Hat

I love this pattern. This is the second one I have made and I will probably do more. I like the fiery orange and red in the background. I have more yarn in sunset yarns that I will have to try. Since some are pretty dark, I will use a light gray for the trees. 

I posted another hat using this pattern on February 22. The pattern is by Camille Descoteaux and it is worth paying for the pattern. It is also very fun to knit even if you are new to stranding. 

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alaska-6

 

4th Largest Snow Storm?

This picture was taken about half way through the storm. It was the 4th most snow in our history. We were snowed in for only a day, which was a Sunday, and we were able to drive out of our subdivision with no trouble. The schools were already on spring break and many people were working from home anyway. 

Now really that big an impact.

Knit to Keep Warm with a Free Pattern. Big Snow Coming.

 The prediction is somewhere between 1 and 3 feet of snow, starting tomorrow (March 11). The snowiest month in Colorado is actually March, so this is not unusually. In March of 2003, we had 3 feet of snow but my family was in New Orleans at the time and could only watch it on television in between trips to the French Quarter. We had three underage boys with us, so we went to hear the jazz. 

However, we are batting down the hatches for the next mega-storm: candles, flashlights, firewood, grocery run. We are set. I will post about the snow when it starts. 

Meanwhile, I have been knitting. This is a ball of yarn I found in my stash, and I loved the color.  I didn't use a pattern because it is very basic. Keep in mind, I have been knitting for over 60 years, so I often "just knit" instead of using a pattern. But I thought I would post the pattern here anywhere.

Materials:

Bulky yarn (I didn't use the whole skein so one should be enough.
Size 9 16"circular needle
Stitch marker
yarn needle

Using the long tail method, cast on 96 stitches. Place marker and join being careful to not twist the stitches.

Knit 1, purl 1. Continue until the piece is 13 inches. 

Begin crown (changing to DPNs when needed): 

K1, p1, k2tog. Repeat for entire round.

Next row: k1, p1, k1. Repeat for entire round.

Next row. K2tog, k1.

Next row: K the entire row.

Next row. Remove marker. k2tog around until there are about 8 stitches left. Cut yarn. Using a yarn needles, gather the remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

You can fold up about 4 inches. I did a whip stitch to keep the cuff in place but that it optional. 

My Alaska Hat - Trees and Snow

I love this pattern. I used yarn from my stash including a Red Heart Symphony. I don't think it is available any more but it was perfect for this project. It is fluffy and a bit fuzzy, so it looks like snow.  This fuzz even floats over on the trees to make it seems there is snow on the branches. I just love how it turned out. 

The pattern is by Camille Descoteaux and it is worth paying for the pattern. It is also very fun to knit even if you are new to stranding. I made it in about two days. Go for it.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alaska-6

Oh Deer!

 

I live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just south of Denver. Just below the large window in our living room is a valley where no one can ever build. My husband is an architect/builder, so it is a beautiful, modern house taking full advantage of the view. But one of the best parts is we are surrounded by wildlife. 

There isn't a day that goes by when we don't see deer. Since we don't have a dog (only cats), the deer hang out in our yard all year. 

They will even come up to the front door to greet us.

But I never get tired of my valley.

Snowed in and --- wait! It's April!

It really is April (very late April, in fact).

It really is Spring.

But here in the foothills of Colorado, we have about 18 inches --- so far. It is still snowing and we should have another 6 inches by this evening. This is why we are all warned not to plant anything outside until after Mother's Day.

Now one of the major things you need to know about me is I love snowy days and cold weather so I am loving this last hurrah of winter. I figured someone has to love winter weather and it appears that is me.

Wine -- check!
Movies from the library -- check!
Lots of yarn -- check!
Chili in the crockpot -- check!
Snowed in -- Priceless!

But it will all be gone by Monday or Tuesday when the temperatures go back into the 80s. I guess summer will come after that.