I'm back home again. This trip is an annual thing, but it came up on me so quickly this year that I didn't get the chance to blog about it before we left. David's family gets together every summer for a New England clam bake in Rhode Island, and this was my fourth trip.
It's hard to think of a better way to spend the fourth of July weekend. Lots of food and drink, the beach, water skiing, family tradition (the bake has been going on for tens of years), bonfires, fabulous backyard fireworks, and about 70 people who I'm starting to sort out how they're actually related to David. I also had no contact with the internet for three entire days. I think the last time that happened was at last year's clam bake!
Something else I didn't get to blog about before it was completed? Shedir.
Pattern: Shedir from Knitty
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Olive, 1 ball plus a smidge from the second
Needles: US 5 Addi Turbos and Fiddlesticks DPNs
Time To Knit: June 26 - July 6
Modifications: Bigger yarn and needles
David's father has been very sick recently, and Shedir seemed to be an appropriate gift. I knew that he had a large hat size, so I sized up the pattern by using Malabrigo Worsted and size 5 needles. This made the finished size 21" in circumference (perfect) and 10.5" high (too long, but the hat looks fine rolled up). I used 1 ball + 1 yard from the second ball. Given that I should not have done the last main body repeat to make the hat shorter, this could easily be made from one ball of Malabrigo next time. I finished the hat with only minutes to spare on the train ride to Rhode Island. Do you recognize the lovely Amtrak seat fabric?
David also wanted to point out how this hat is similarly shaped to the bonfire.
I was planning to get a modeled shot once the hat had been gifted. It's such a gorgeous pattern and a gorgeous yarn that the hat felt almost like a work of art. But something strange happened for me once David's father tried the hat on. It suddenly shifted from a thing of beauty to a thing of warmth and comfort. It seemed like an intrusion to take out a camera, so I didn't. I kind of like having it end up this way... not as a moment shared with the public, but one shared with those closest to you.
I'm so glad your gift was so well received. It's still beautiful too, maybe even more so after reading your story. :)
Posted by: Jessica | July 10, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Ahh Amtrak. I really enjoy riding the train and do it often to visit my family in Maryland.
A beautiful hat and wonderful story to go with it. Few things make me happier than a well received knitted gift. It does look like the bonfire. ;)
Yes I like the sherbert yarn...I tend to like yarn that looks good to eat. :(
Posted by: Sacha | July 10, 2007 at 03:16 PM
Sounds like a fun family getaway.
Beautiful hat!
Posted by: Tanya | July 10, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Shedir can do that to people.
All my best for good health for David's father.
Posted by: Liz K. | July 10, 2007 at 05:45 PM
Ah, Rhode Island. That picture reminds me of my aunt's house in Westerly on the bay. I love the Shedir. Such a nice gift; I'm sure he loves it.
Posted by: kim | July 10, 2007 at 05:47 PM
Shedir is one of my favorite patterns, and you've executed it so nicely here. I like it with the more substantial yarn.
Props, too, for being sensitive to the line between knitwear as an accomplishment of the knitter, and as a true GIFT for the recipient.
Posted by: Stella | July 10, 2007 at 06:07 PM
Those kind of getaways are the best! I head off for my laid back time up north on Lake Michigan a week from today. No email. No television. No work. Just a huge stack of books, a hammock, and my family.
WOOT WOOT WOOT!!!
Blessings (and welcome back!)
Posted by: Susan P | July 10, 2007 at 06:10 PM
shedir looks great!
Sounds like you had a great time too, love the bonfire :)
Posted by: Kelly | July 10, 2007 at 09:37 PM
It is fantastic. I do want to knit this one too. I hope David's father is feeling better soon.
Posted by: tiennie | July 10, 2007 at 11:56 PM
you had such great weather for the clambake! what a wonderful tradition!
the hat is beautiful. i'm sure it's warming both his head and his soul by wearing it!
Posted by: stacey | July 11, 2007 at 08:30 AM
I love family traditions like the annual clam bake. That hat rocks! It really is shaped like a bonfire. That is the most beautifully constructed bonfire I've ever seen. It's refreshing to unplug from the internets for a few days, but it's also nice to plug back in. If only I could have pants made out of the Amtrak fabric.
Posted by: Kim | July 11, 2007 at 10:11 AM
The hat is beautiful and the sentiment behind it moreso. I'll keep D's dad in my thoughts and prayers. It's a grand thing these get togethers your family has :) I went on a clambake in Bar Harbor,Maine years ago and remember every single part of it!
Posted by: Carol | July 11, 2007 at 10:19 AM
What a cool post! Yes, some things are just better left un-blogged. :)
Posted by: Erin | July 11, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Ha, the hat *does* look like the bonfire! Sounds like it was a wonderful trip and family get together. The hat came out really well. David's father will love it. I sure hope he feels better soon.
Posted by: Jean | July 11, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Lovely hat! I agree - some things need our full and intimate attention in the moment, documented only by our hearts and minds - sometimes the camera can be an intruder.
Posted by: Ruth | July 11, 2007 at 11:47 AM
That's a lovely story. :-) And I have wondered about up-sizing Shedir, since I have a great big noggin (and I wouldn't want to use Calmer anyway--cotton, bleah! I need my hats to be warm, not just pretty.) Malabrigo is an excellent idea, since it's the softest, warmest stuff ever. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | July 11, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Where is RI? I am so close to RI, we might have been able to meet up! Nice Sherdir! I thoroughly enjoyed this post, thank you for sharing it!
Posted by: nova | July 13, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Thanks everyone for the warm wishes for my father; I really appreciated them. And yes, Shedir does look just like the bonfire! Which, by the way, we do next to the pit, rather than in it like on Wikipedia. That means people get to rake all the glowing rocks into the pit, which is very hot work!
Posted by: David | July 21, 2007 at 12:24 PM