Purling Sprite

Long Tail Cast on for Looms

Knitting has been happening behind the curtains, I am just not allowed to show you any of it. I can tell you this: lots and lots of socks. Some are easy, some are cable-licious, some have eyelets and simple lace and all of them use some of the best sock yarns out there. But since I can't show you, I still want to share something with you. This is another version of the Long tail cast on for the looms. Previously, I have demonstrated how to accomplish this cast on with the loom only (see cast ons tutorial), this time around the tutorial uses a crochet hook. Personally, I prefer the method that uses the crochet hook, however, you can experiment and choose the one you like the best. The swatch at the right shows the cast on. The Long Tail cast on is flexible yet firm (due to the double yarn crossing to form the foundation).

Get the PDF file of Long Tail Cast On on a loom.

On the Fitness Friday report: after being sick for a few days and then going on antibiotics I was able to go back to the gym on Wednesday. I have been back at it: swimming, spinning, weight lifting, and running. Yesterday was my very first outdoor run of the year. The day was chilly still but the sun was out and I couldn't stand the thought of running 5 miles on the treadmill so I bundled up and headed outside. I was slow, slower than my last 5 mile time. I want to think it was the extra layers and the cold weather that influenced my speed. I know for a fact that I run faster when temperature is around 80 degrees. In the weight lifting department, I have been sticking to the sets of 21s--great workout.

Weekly report:
Swimming: 3500 yards
Spin: 1 hr 45min
Strength: 2 hrs 15min
Run: 5 miles (48: 30)

Lastly, I want to leave you with this funny illustration...this is the way I feel when I am doing sit ups. Have a great weekend!
 

Kissing Booth

Still sick...I am going on three weeks now. After a night of very little rest, I woke up with a pounding headache (induced by the cough). I had to go in to work today and felt terrible all throughout. I got home and now all I want to do is crash and maybe get some sleep but as soon as I put my head down the cough starts again. My Dr. and dear friend called in some antibiotics and cough medicine--hopefully I will be able to get some rest soon--I am hoping that tonight I can sleep for at least 6hrs without coughing...I don't ask for much just 6 hours without coughing and wake up without a headache. Since I can't manage cooking/cleaning/knitting I am distracting myself with stuff on the internet. I found the Kissing Booth application and I thought it was so cute that I had to try it out. Hope all of you have a wonderful Friendship Day tomorrow. Happy V-day :).

Fitness Friday

What a week! Going back to the gym after being sick for an entire week and limping for the previous one has had an impact. You'd think that a little bit of a break wouldn't affect you much but the truth is that the body needs activity every day to keep up.

I started training this week for the Ogden Half and so far it has gone well. My legs have kept up with the training and I haven't felt totally drained of energy. Of course, I did sleep 12 hours on Wednesday night and oh it felt so good! I am excited and pumped about this half marathon--it is coming up soon and I know that it will be here in the blink of an eye. Training must continue and I have high hopes of being able to reduce my time by a few seconds even minutes.

I started using a new way to track my training it is a neat website called Buckeye Outdoors. It is a free service and you go in there and put in your workouts and it keeps track of it all. It is easier than me writing it all down (of course, I am still a dork and I still write it down on my notebook).

The weekly totals are as follows:
Run: 2 miles (3x a week) for total of 6 miles. Starting next week it will be 2, 3, 4....the weather better start getting better so I can run outside. I can't stand more than 2 miles on the dreadmill.
Spin: 45min (3x a week) I figure about 40 miles total
Swim: 5150 yards
Strength training: only 40 minutes this week--was running short on time and work had to get done at home.

Tip of the week: I picked this up from MizFitOnline. It is called the 21s. Check out her video and see how you too can apply this to your biceps workout and bring a little change to the routine. I am planning on doing this at least once a week to change things a bit.

Hope you had a good week, see you next week with another report.

Baby Bootees: A Loom Knit Pattern

I want to say a huge thank you for the donations that have been made to the MS society. You guys are wonderful! In just one weekend, we have gathered $135. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

To show you my appreciations, here is another freebie pattern. These are just so cute--tiny little things and they work up so fast. They will make a great present to a Mommy and baby. Note, I have only used the yarn that I provided below and with gauge provided, if you substitute yarn, the size will vary. 

Again, thank you for your donations!

Materials:

Yarn: 50 yards of Bulky Weight yarn (Weight 6). Sample was knit using KnitPicks Swish in Honey Dew

Loom: Pink Long Loom by Provo Craft and 1 Loom Clip by Provo Craft

Notions: knitting tool, tapestry needle, 2 size 8 double pointed needles

Size: 3-6mos

Gauge: 3.5sts and 4.5rows=1 in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations

k=knit (in knit stitch or flat stitch) not e-wrap

p=purl

sts=stitches

bo=bind off

PATTERN NOTES

Wrap =Lift the loop off the peg. Hold it with your fingertips. Take working yarn to the inside of the loom and e-wrap the peg. Place the loop back on the peg.

DIRECTIONS

Make 2

Prepare loom: Insert Loom Clip in the Long Loom to have a circle with 16 pegs.

Cast on 16sts, join to work in the round.

Rnd 1-9: *k2, p2; rep from * to the end of rnd.

Rnd 10: k

Rnd 11-20: *p2, k2; rep from * to the end of rnd

**Short Row Shaping for Heel-(knitted as a flat panel on 8 pegs)

Knit from peg 1-7. Wrap and turn on peg 8.

Knit from peg 7 to peg 2. Wrap peg 1.

Knit from peg 2 to peg 6. Wrap peg 7.

Knit from peg 6 to peg 3. Wrap peg 2.

Reverse Short Row Shaping for Heel

Knit from peg 3 to peg 7. (Lift both loops on peg 7 as one.)

Knit from peg 7 to peg 2. (Lift both loops on peg 2 as one.)

Knit from peg 2 to peg 8. (Lift both loops on peg 8 as one.)

Knit from peg 8 to peg 1. (Lift both loops on peg 1 as one.)**

FOOT--knitted in the round

Work in the round in knit stitch until foot measures 3 inches from back of heel.

TOE

Repeat instructions from ** to **

FINISHING

Place stitches from pegs 8-1 on one double pointed needle

Place stitches from pegs 16-9 on the second double pointed needle.

Graft the stitches with the kitchener stitch.

TO WEAR

Fold down the cuff--the row of knit stitch will help to provide a nice fold

Enjoy!