Fair Isle Knitting

Fair Isle is one of the Shetland Islands in northern Scotland. Although traditionally tied to the sea, the Shetland Islands are known for more than ponies and sheep. They are a popular destination for people looking to explore the multifaceted heritage and culture of these subarctic islands.

Fair Isle is known for its birdlife, amazing scenery and, of course, its traditional crafts. Fair Isle knitting is known around the world. You could wait up to three years to get a hand knit Fair Isle sweater made by one of the islanders and you could pay up to $490 USD for it.

Fair Isle knitting is a form of stranded knitting. Traditional patterns are created with multiple colors, but only two colors are used in each row. The unused color is stranded across the back of the work. These strands or floats add extra bulk to the knitting making it warm and cozy. Traditional Fair Isle knits typically feature rows of intricate geometric patterns in up to five colors.

I have always been intrigued with Fair Isle knitting. The patterns are so engaging. I was pretty sure, though, that I couldn't knit with a different color in each hand. After some online research I discovered that there are lots of different ways to carry two different colored yarns at the same time. After some practice, I was able to alternate colors every other stitch quite handily and I even made a couple of pairs of mittens. When my LYS (Local Yarn Shop) offered a Fair Isle sweater knit along class, I decided that I was ready.

Ready or not...

After some problems with gauge, I was finally ready to cast on. The sweater that I am knitting is called Hedgerow. It is a modern Fair Isle pattern by Ann Kingstone that is knit in seven colors. I chose a light worsted weight superwash wool for my sweater.

The Hedgrow pattern is 18 stitches and doesn't take long to memorize. Each new row is a new pattern, though, so it's a great brain workout. Hedgerow has 120 rows of pattern!

If you've ever thought about giving Fair Isle kniting a try, go for it. Starting with a small project, like a hat, will give you some confidence. The best advice that I can give is to keep your two balls of yarn on either side of you and always knit one from the bottom and one from the top. Following this routine ensures that your yarn doesn't get twisted together.

You can keep up with My Fair Isle Knitting Adventure by visiting my Cupola Corner Facebook page.


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“Big Yellow Taxi”

“Big Yellow Taxi” was written and originally performed by Joni Mitchell. More recently, Counting Crows included this classic and on their Hard Candy album, and it was certified Gold for the first time. While it has long been considered a call to promote environmental concerns, there are other messages, as well.

This is my third Six for Six blog post. Six songs. Six months.

Making plans for the future was the original intent of this priority. Taking care of details. Tidying up loose ends. Taking care of business, so to speak.

How’s that working out for you? Procrastination is such an easy and often comfortable road trip.

The bottom line is that if I don’t plan for my own future, someone else will make those decisions for me. I have a will. I have financial and health/personal powers of attorney. I have talked with the people to whom I have trusted the making of important decisions in my future should I be unable. But what other jobs could befall them because I have not planned well?

“Big Yellow Taxi” talks about the fact that we often don’t appreciate our environment until it’s too late. Another species becomes extinct. Another town has no clean drinking water. We shouldn’t take the earth for granted. We should be planning for it’s future and it’s survival.

We should also not take the people in our lives for granted, and we should plan for our future in a way that makes it easier for us and for them.

I think that it is important to live in the moment and to be conscious of the here and now, but it can’t be an excuse. It’s important to not be short-sighted.

Planning is important...for the environment and for ourselves.

“Don’t it always seem to go,
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”


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Meet Broccoli...The Bone Builder!

Broccoli is a plant that is part of the cruciferous family, like cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Broccoli has large flowering heads, usually green, that look like little trees. In fact, my nieces used to call them trees when they were young.

This winter, I am trying to increase my intake of calcium. Actually, it's become a life long goal. I have osteoporosis and after three & a half years, I've had to start taking medication. I'm not happy about that, but numbers don't lie and I don't want to become an old lady with a hump on my back who breaks bones just by bending over. #osteoporosisisnotjustforoldladies

Osteoporosis is a disease that slowly and quietly weakens bones. It is caused by low bone mass and the weakening of bone, which can lead to increased risk of fracture. Fragility fractures represent 80% of all fractures in menopausal women over the age of 50. Fractures from osteoporosis are more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined.

Dairy products are the best way to get lots of calcium into you, but you can't live on milk, yogurt and ice cream. At least, I don't think you can...

Broccoli to the rescue! One cup of broccoli has 5% - 6% of the daily recommended amount of calcium. It also has lots of vitamin K (116% DV), great for bone building, vitamin C (135% DV), iron (5% DV) & it contains antioxidents.

This winter, I am going to research, experiment with and create some recipes that use broccoli. I hope that you have the opportunity to try some of my recipes. You can keep up with the day to day experimentation on my Facebook page. Photos and recipes will be available in the Broccoli: Bone Builder Recipes photo album on Facebook. I will post recipes here on my blog as they accumulate.

Be bold. Be a bone builder. Eat broccoli.

Learn more about osteoporosis here:
National Osteoporosi Foundation
Osteoporosis Canada

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“Memories”

“Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind...,” Elvis Presley.

This is my second Six for Six blog post. Six songs. Six months.  

Gather and make memories. The intent of this priority was to spend some time getting caught up on my scrapbooking. I’ve always considered the making of memories more important than the preservation of them, but I have to admit that I do love looking back through old photo albums and scrapbooks.

My daughter and I started scrapbooking long before it was popular, but it was my sister that got us both into it in a really big way. She managed an independent scrapbooking store and got us into teaching classes and working part time. It was a really fun job that provided the opportunity to meet some really great people. There were lots of good memories created and preserved in that little store. 

Now that the store has closed, I’m not as inclined to sit down and work on my scrapbooking. I have several projects almost finished and several not even started. I want those memories preserved for me and for my daughter. My goal is to finish two trip albums this winter. 

At the same time, I want to make memories. 

Making memories can happen in lots of ways in lots of places. Making memories is holding on to special people and special times in your heart and in your head.

Making memories is not just about trips and events. It’s about enjoying and appreciating the moment and the people who share that moment with you.

It’s about...
“Laughing eyes and simple ways,
Quiet nights and gentle days.”

Make memories.
“Memories, memories, sweet memories.”


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Maybe It’s Not About You

We all have egocentric tendencies. As adults, most of us understand that we are not the centre of the universe. That does not, however, stop us from sometimes behaving as if we are.

Have you ever lost touch with a friend? It happens. People grow apart. People move. People change. Sometimes moving on is a good thing.

But one day you realize that you haven’t seen or talked to a friend with whom you once had regular contact. You wonder what’s going on. Is s/he upset with you? Has s/he moved on and left you behind? Has s/he found new friends or interests? Is s/he just too busy for you anymore?

Well, maybe it’s not about you.

Maybe s/he can’t get out of bed in the morning because s/he couldn’t sleep last night.

Maybe s/he can’t get out of the house because the world just seems too big.

Maybe s/he can't get out of bed because s/he can't face another day of uncertainty.

Maybe s/he can only focus on what is right in front of her/him and making plans is just too overwhelming.

Maybe s/he thinks that you will judge her/him.

Maybe s/he is feeling angry and frustrated and scared because s/he can’t do the things s/he once did with ease.

Maybe s/he has lost interest in the things that s/he once enjoyed.

Maybe s/he's feeling restless and irritable and doesn't consider her/himself good company.

Maybe s/he is feeling worthless and not of value to you anymore.

Maybe s/he doesn't feel well.

Maybe s/he’s experiencing depression.

Maybe, it's not about you.

If you have a friend whom you think may be experiencing depression, reach out. Be gentle. Don't expect her/him to respond to a big gesture. Try something that doesn't necessarily require a response, like a card. And don't give up. Remember...it's not about you.

Check out the Depression Hurts website for information about depression and how you can help a friend (see "Information for Family & Friends" tab).
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