Tag Archive for ‘fitness’ at adam knits!

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So Far, So Good! 12 Jun 07

Well I successfully survived my first day of bike commuting, and I must say, it was an absolute blast! I rode the route on Saturday, to get a feel for the roads, and then yesterday was my first real ride. I packed up everything on Sunday night, got up early on Monday and rode in to work. It only took me about 35 minutes, compared to 15 minutes when I drive. That also doesn’t take into account that most parking at my job is a 10 minute walk from the buildings, so it really takes 25 minutes to actually get into the office. On a bike, I can ride directly up to my building, so that’s a big perk.

The weather was super nice yesterday too, it was nice and cool in the morning, and there was some afternoon rain, so it was overcast and cool when I went home. It sprinkled a bit on the ride back, but it was the perfect amount to cool me off without getting soaked. All in all, I really enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to making it a daily practice. Especially since I went both Saturday and yesterday, and am hardly sore at all. I thought it might take a few weeks before I would be able to ride continuous days, but I could have totally gone today if I didn’t have to do some errands across town right after work.

Wait, I take that back, I am a bit tender in one place…my butt! (Haha, I said butt! Sorry Mom!) It’s getting a bit better, but after Saturday’s ride, I could barely sit down! I almost went and bought one of those little pillows for people who break their tailbone! I am assured that this is normal, and it will pass, but I’m not so sure it’s completely normal for such a cushy body part to complain so vehemently. I guess a bike seat just has the magical power of being able to transfer shock waves all the way into your skeletal system, despite all the natural padding.

At any rate, the first day went well, and I’m going to make it my goal to ride to work for the rest of the week. I think biking may be the only way to save the yarn budget from rising gas costs, so I’m super determined! :)

I also managed to finish my Zeebee this weekend! I love this hat, and I find myself wishing it would get colder, just so I could wear it! (Haha, just kidding! Don’t listen to me Weather!)

Pattern: Zeebee by Schmeebot
Yarn: Yarn Pirate’s Handspun (thanks again Georgia!) BFL, in the Buccaneer colorway. About 104 yards (3.2 oz)
Needles / Gauge: US #10 → 4 spi and 8 rpi
Knitting Time: One week (June 2 - June 9)
Notes: My head is 22.5 inches around and 18 inches from ear to ear. I wanted to make my hat as close to 19 inches around and 9 inches long as I could, while not running out of yarn.

Planned Dimensions:
→ 19 inches * 8 rpi = 152 rows / 8 sections = 18 rows / section
→ 9 inches * 4 spi = 36 stitches.

My plan was to make sure that each 1/8 of the hat weighed 0.4 oz, which would let me use all 3.2 oz of the handspun. When I knit one section using the dimensions above, it weighed 0.5 oz, so I knew I had to make it smaller. I tried again using 32 stitches and 16 rows of short rows, which was exactly 0.4 oz.

Final Dimensions
→ 32 stitches and 16 rows of short rows for each 1/8 of the hat. You work 16 rows of SR decreases, followed by 16 rows of SR increases, and repeat 4 times, then seam up.

I only had about 5 yards of yarn left, so my careful planning paid off (when does it not? ;))

I really love the Zeebee pattern, and the hand-spun only made it better. I highly recommend this knit, so check it out! I even loved it enough to brave the scorching desert heat at 1 pm, just for blog pictures. Daisy even came outside with me, and watched from her little spot of shade as I fiddled with the camera. I think it’s funny that I’m standing in the sun with a wool beanie, and she’s laying in the shade. Maybe dogs are smarter than people after all. ;)

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Adam

in exercise, finished objects, garter stitch, hand spun, hats, knitting, schnauzers and work

Commuting Revolution 08 Jun 07

13 Comments

Today’s Eye Candy (hey, it’s still Friday for 1 more hour!) is brought to you by Garter Stitch.

It’s just so textured and squishy, especially with Georgia’s hand-spun, I just couldn’t resist casting on! Isn’t it sweet looking? I’m hoping to finish it tomorrow, although I think it might be a bit too warm to wear it for a while ;) My math skills definitely came in handy, because I’m on target to exactly the amount of yarn I need to cast off and seam the hat. It helped that the pattern was written as 4 segments of short rows, so I was able to weigh the yarn and figure out the right size for each quarter, reweighing as I go. Just one more segment left, and I’ll have a perfectly cozy garter stitch hat for next winter :)

I’m still plugging away on the lozenge socks too, which means I have 2 handspun projects in the works! How lucky am I? I don’t even spin, and I have wonderful friends who send me beautiful handspun yarn! Anyone else feeling generous? ;)

And in the department of things that are long overdue, I figured it’s about time that I gave an exercise goals update. So I never did finish my 100 miles for Runagogo, and I haven’t been terribly good about getting to the gym as of late. (Ok fine, I haven’t gone in a month and a half!) School just got crazy, and although it’s over now, it’s still tough to find the motivation when I have time to hang out at home and catch up on all the other stuff. I did manage to lose 5 more pounds (a total of 10), and I haven’t been too bad in the eating department, but I definitely could use a bit more physical activity.

So I’ve decided to stop making excuses and get a bit more proactive. I think to start I’m gonna cancel the gym membership and do more outdoors stuff, since I’ve really grown to hate going to the gym. I figure there’s no use in paying for something that won’t really help me out in my fitness goals, eh?

At any rate, I have a plan. It not only involves getting regular exercise, but will help me save a bit of money and pollute less too. Any ideas?

How about now? Yup, I’m gonna bike commute. See, my job is actually only 5 miles away, and as it turns out, there’s a bike route all the way to my office door, so why not? I got my bike all tuned up, and got all the swanky new gear above (isn’t the reflective vest great? the things I have to do to commute to a military base…), so I’m all set.

I’m gonna do a trial run tomorrow, just to make sure I’m familiar with the route, so wish me luck!

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Adam

in exercise, hand spun, knitting, work and works in progress

Fibery Day 07 Apr 07

14 Comments

Ah, I love relaxing days that involve lots of fiber. I got in some knitting and picked up some new swag, so it was a very nice Saturday. What’s not to love about a new Go Knit Pouch in Medium, and a keychain designed by John of Yarn Ball Boogie? Both of these lovely items are stocked by the ever-talented Scout, who does bad things for my checkbook, despite being a very kind person. It doesn’t help that Scout lives on the way to the Yarn Store, so it’s super easy to stop off at her house and buy some stuff. Hear that Scout? I’m cutting myself off! (Haha, yeah right!)

how cool is this keychain?

I really love my new Go Knit Pouch, because the medium size holds a bigger project, and even the smaller bag at the same time! This way I can carry around 2 projects to satisfy my ADD ;) The project it’s currently holding is a Topi that I’m knitting for my brother Clay, out of my 2400 MHz Worsted Merino in the Project 86 colorway. Now I know what you’re thinking…”jeez he uses his yarn a lot and never updates the shop!“…but I set this skein aside for him a few months ago on request, and I’m just now getting around to the knitting. Plus, it’s really good affirmation to knit with my own yarn just to see how it works up into various projects. Anyway to rationalize saving some for myself eh? ;)

Speaking of Yarn Nerd…I got more yarn in today! Woo-hoo! I’ve been waiting for some more orders for a bit, and they’re starting to come in, so I can get back to dyeing now. School has been particularly busy this semester, but it seems to be slowing down for now, so hopefully a shop update will be ready soon. And summer is coming too, so that means lots of dyeing time.

I did hit 1000 comments yesterday, so one lucky person should be hearing from me soon regarding their lovely gift. Now that I have more yarn to dye, I can provide a worthwhile prize package ;)

Also, go check this out! Dawn just finished a pair of socks with my 1500 MHz Sport Merino in the Bamboo Grove colorway, and they look great! This is the first picture I’ve seen of my yarn knitted up on the Internet, and I’m super excited. If anyone else has pictures of stuff they’ve knit with Yarn Nerd yarn, I’d love to see them!

That’s about all I got for today, I just wanted to give a quick update and show off my new purchases. Also, a commenter in the last post requested an update on my fitness progress, so that’s going to be the next post. Let’s just say that I’m still working at it, even if my schedule has been a bit crazy as of late. I haven’t fallen off the horse per say, I think I’ve just slowed to a trot. At least I’m still on right?

Have a wonderful Resurrection Day everyone! It’s really mind boggling to think that the Sovereign Almighty God came down to earth and died, so that I could have a relationship with Him. It’s not something that I understand or comprehend, but it’s something I can rejoice over, and give worship to God for. My only response is to try to live a life that gives Glory to Him for His namesake. Amen!

(Also, I apologize about the post changing subjects every 2 seconds, but it’s late and I have had waaaay too much coke this evening.)

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Adam

in a nerd's life, christianity, dyeing, knitting, shop, swag and yarn nerd

Soup and Sore Muscles 14 Feb 07

5 Comments

I have both tonight! After a strenuous afternoon at the gym, I was in the mood for something warm and comforting, so I made some Chicken Tortilla Soup. Mmmmm, so tasty! Especially when you have fresh tomatoes, avocados and bell peppers for garnish. And now I have some tasty lunch for tomorrow! I also made some Rum-Glazed Whole-Grain Banana Tarts for dessert, but they got eaten before I could get a picture. ;)

Now that I’m finally over last week’s nasty virus, I’ve finally been able to get exercise in these past few days. I really missed not being able to go to the gym last week, I never thought that would ever happen! I’ve started lifting weights, which has seemed to accelerate the weight loss, despite making it painful to walk the day after (i.e. tomorrow!) So far I’ve lost 7 pounds! It might not be a ton, but I look great and am super pleased with my progress. Now I just have to catch up on my Runagogo mileage!

In Yarn Nerd news…thanks so much for your comments and e-mails! The opening was better than I could ask for, and I’m overwhelmed by everyone’s support! I’m so glad that Yarn Nerd is finally open for business, I’ve been waiting for the big unveil for quite some time now. I still have lots to come, so stick around to see what comes next!

There’s still 8 skeins left in the shop, so grab ‘em while they’re still around! And there’s still one hour left until the contest closes, so go register and enter to win some yarn! I’ll be announcing the 5 winners tomorrow, so good luck :)

Alright, I think I’m being beckoned to come to bed…have a great week!

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Adam

in contests, cooking, dallas, exercise, school, shop, unm and yarn nerd

Spring Is Coming! 09 Feb 07

16 Comments

Well at least that’s what it feels like here in ABQ. It’s been practically a paradise for the past few days, with highs in the 60s and plenty of blue skies and sunshine. But you know what’s ironic? It’s been perfect weather for me to rack up some miles outside for Runagogo, but I’ve been inside in bed for the past few days. I don’t know how I got it, but some form of virus has decided to make my body its home since Monday, which hasn’t been too pleasant. I had a fever of 103° for 2 days, plus lots of aches, pains, chills and general unpleasantry. Fortunately, I think the tide is turning, and although I’m not feeling 100% better, I am starting to feel a bit more like myself today. Here’s hoping that I can actually get out and enjoy the weather this weekend.

And oh yeah, it’s Friday, so here’s some eye candy! The long promised pictures of the Garden Shawl! I know it’s still only February, but picking up this thing just makes me long for the blooming of all the trees and the chirping of the birds. How can it not when you’re knitting flowers and dew drops and ferns right into it?

I’m not really sure why I picked this pattern as my first ever lace project (i.e., it’s crazy complicated), but when I saw the pattern I just knew that my Mom would love it, being the gardener that she is. She’s practically ecstatic over the warm weather and is already planning out her gardening layout for her new house. Anyway, even though it’s been a challenging project, I’m really enjoying it and have learned a ton about lace knitting so far. I think a big advantage is that I’ll be able to pick up a pattern for a less intricate shawl and work it without too many problems. Nothing like a trial by fire, eh?

So see Mom? Contrary to what you may think, or say in your comments, there is in fact progress being made on your shawl. ;)

In other news, I absolutely promise that the store opening will be this upcoming Monday, the 12th. If everything isn’t perfect by then, well, I don’t care anymore because I can’t sit on it for much longer! It’s killing me! So you can have your yarn fix soon, just take a deep breath and try to wait just a few more days. Here’s another little teaser for you, not to mention some nice Eye Candy Friday.

"denim blues" and "stormy teal"

These are two new colorways that I dyed up using a new process (it produces such nice color gradients!), to coincide with this month’s Project Spectrum colors, blues and grays. You can have at ‘em on Monday, but until then, have a fantastic weekend!

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Adam

in dyeing, family, gifts, knitting, project spectrum, shop, works in progress and yarn nerd