Tiny Triumphs

Life being what it is at the moment I decided I needed a project to keep my brain busy, and so I thought I would brave one that I have been meaning to start, but am intimidated by. It's a cabled wrap and I failed to notice before casting on that it involves lots of the things I don't like to do. Seed stitch and yarn-overs for a start. I find yarn-overs so confusing for some reason, I know what I am meant to do and it's not like they're hard but they stump me. Still, am going to give it a good go! Oh and it's also the first attempt at using a chart, which is not too bad having used them for cross-stitch, but is slow-going at the moment anyway.

Twisty little yarn-overs here...

Some cables, these are the ones that sort of worked. There are some which are inexplicably holey and I am wondering if I knitted the stitches in the right order (?).
And here is motivation to keep at it and finish quickly! I got some lovely new wool today from Mel! I love it, very pretty colours. They are (hopefully) going to be a shawl.

Here, to finish, is a random picture of our driveway last night that sent me into a rage at how bloody stupid and thoughtless our neighbours are. Seriously! Who thinks this type of behaviour (i.e. childish and f*cking rude) is ok? Emailed this photo to landlord and told him he is in breach of our cross-lease agreement by allowing his wretched tenants to do this (daily). We will see how that goes.
Hope your jumper is done! Hi to Tim and lots of love to you : )

Holy Cowl

It's hot here (and humid and rainy at the same time) which isn't ideal knitting weather. I am jealous of you in the cold! But I am knitting anyway and just making small things. So I made these 2 cowls, both of which are really easy and quick, and if you like one I'll make it for you!

The purple one I made just because I love the wool/colours so much, but the blue is probably the one I'll wear more often because it's really cosy and snug, so no chills get down your neck.

ETA: there is a random empty post below this, sorry. I hit something while typing and don't know how to fix it. Just ignore.

E (again) TA: Ha! Sorted. I am a techno-whiz.

Sticking it to Sweden

This will get finished this week. You probably don't believe that though, and you'd have good reason. But it has travelled to the other side of the world with me, so I think it's finally time to put it to bed.

I've rediscovered Ravelry - it's going to be my ticket to new friends in Sweden (hopefully). I've found a knitting group in nearby Malmö, which meets every Wednesday to knit, talk and eat baked treats. Doesn't that sound perfect?

This week will be my first visit - I'm making Ginger Crunch. Good choice?

Little Hearts

I needed to make something small to put with Paul and Inga's wedding present (wedding in 2 days, so cutting it fine) as they have asked for cash, but I wanted to give them something small that they can remember their wedding by. So I made some little hearts and will tie them to the impersonal cash present in the hopes of making it a bit more special. Used the Elna! My sewing is slowly getting there, although I don't think I will be making clothes anytime soon.

Unemployment+holidays=lots of time for knitting

I thought I might update my knit-files. I have made quite a lot actually! Biggest thing was the brown jumper, which is badly photographed in this shot. It doesn't bag quite that much since I blocked it. This is probably my tidiest, most uniform knitting yet. Pat on back for moi. Then I made a little green hat for a friend in the middle of a London winter...handmade (and Peruvian) Christmas presents abound this year. Recognise the cardi?

I also made this thing out of massive wool which was so chunky it hurt to knit with. Not so pleased with this. Was very fast to knit but the sleeves are really tight and the stitches stretch which annoys me enough that I haven't worn it. So I might rip the sleeves right back and make them shorter.
And these ones of course you already know...

Finally, some booties for Cameron's friend who had a baby girl recently. Used every last inch of the bits from my stash...yess!

So that's me for now. Do you still read this blog? Meh, not that it's a problem as I'm happy to ramble to myself : ) You might be in Sweden by the time you read this! Weird.

I thought this might make you smile

The Dam

This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries regarding a pond on his property. It was sent by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania . Read the State's letter before you get to the response letter.

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:
Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.
A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2009.

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative and Water Management Division.


Here is the actual response sent back by Mr. DeVries:
Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. Price,

Your certified letter dated 12/17/07 has been handed to me to respond to. I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane , Trout Run, Pennsylvania .

A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood 'debris' dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skil lful use of natures building materials 'debris.'

I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.



These are the beavers/contractors you are seeking. As to your request, I do not think the beavers areaware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.

My first dam question to you is:

(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or
(2) Do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?

If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued.
(Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.)

I have several concerns. My first concern is, aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation -- so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling them dam names.

If you want the stream 'restored' to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English.
In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2009? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality, health, problem in the area. It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! The bears are not careful where they dump!
Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.

THANK YOU,

RYAN DEVRIES
& THE DAM BEAVERS

For you my friend

Here is a little look at what I am making you for your birthday (mainly just to check that you don't think it's instantly hideous!). Believe it or not that is the daffodil yellow silk blend wool that you chose from my stash, it was a very sunshiny day and it all got bleached looking. I am really pleased with how this is coming along though, I just hope that the size is ok!