Sock Yarn Scarf

I needed a quick and easy project for some instant gratification, and I found it with this crocheted scarf made out of one skein of sock yarn. The yarn is a wool and nylon sock-weight blend, and the pattern, by designer Doris Chan, is in the summer issue of Interweave Crochet. You really don't even need a pattern to make this--it is just done in single crochet with a large hook. The trick is in the blocking--you soak the scarf in cold water and then stretch it out a lot on a towel and let it dry to get the lacy look. (My friend Josie is modeling for me--she's a natural!).

Friends--Old and New

My social calendar here in Munich has been quite full lately. Two friends from the US visited in the middle of July. Judy, whom I've known since our Milwaukee days, accompanied me to the Zugspitze.



Larayne, my friend from Montana, and I had an incredible hour of power shopping followed by some quality time in a beer garden. In fact, thanks to Larayne and Judy, I have gotten to know several more of Munich's lovely beer gardens and have learned the joys of Käsespätzle.



Renate, a colleague and dear friend, and her charming brother, Hansbert, invited me along on their Kaffee and Kuchen outing and afterwards had me over to Renate's apartment for dinner.



Last, but certainly not least, here's Ulrike, pictured in the park where the Olympics were held in 1972. She and I meet once a week to exchange conversation lessons.

At Last, Some Knitting News

Today I actually have a couple of items to post about my knitting activity. The first is that I finished this shrug in just a matter of weeks. Participating in a "Knit Along" (KAL) that I found on the Lion Brand blog helped this go so quickly. I was eager to do this particular KAL because one of my favorite designers, Stefanie Japel, was leading it. The pattern for the shrug was the first post, and then each week, she posted pictures of the progress of the sweater and detailed instructions. Other people following the KAL could post their pictures as well. It really kept me motivated to finish the sweater and not get side-tracked and bored, as I often do. (Friend Josie is modeling for me--actually, she got the sweater because it looks so cute on her).

The yarn is "Cascade 220 Heather," 100% wool. Here you can see the interesting texture of the shrug:



Below I have a picture of some new stash! It's called "Linea Pura" by Lana Grosse and is a worsted-weight, subtly variagated blend of soy, bamboo, and cotton, all organic. The drape is lovely.

Zugspitze

A friend from the US is visiting, and yesterday we went to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, located about an hour south of Munich in the German Alps. The picture above was taken from the cable car on the way up. Unfortunately, it's not as clear as I'd like because it was taken through a window and because the camera is just so-so. Still, you can get an idea of the spectacular scenery in this area.



And here's the view from the top (almost 3000 meters high). The mountains you can see from here are located in Austria, Italy and Switzerland, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Rome, they say.



This was taken on the way back down in the cog-wheel train. There are several adorable-looking villages and lots of green meadows, all with the spectacular Alps jutting up in the background.

Poem and Books

Today I'm stealing a poem idea from a blog I enjoy called The Goat Rope:

He who binds to himself a joy
Doth the winged life destroy.
He who kisses the joy as it flies,
Lives in eternity's sunrise.

William Blake (1757-1827)

I also have some book news:



Ahab's Wife (1999) by Sena Jeter Naslund. I read this during my first few weeks here in Germany, and it helped me get through the jet lag and disorientation. It is "a great read" in so many ways. It is written like historical fiction, but it is actually fiction about fiction--since Ahab refers to Melville's Moby Dick. The critic in me felt like that part didn't work, but the story and the writing are very engaging.

Stine (1890) by Theodor Fontane. German literature fans know Theodor Fontane (1819-1898) is a famous German author who wrote the classic Effie Briest. The theme of this short work is typical of Fontane: the disastrous fate of the individual who acts in a way that society does not approve of. While this novel was not as successful as many of his others, the Fontane style is enjoyable, and it's also fun trying to decipher the parts written in Berlin dialect.

Moo (1995) by Jane Smiley. What a fantastic spoof of academic life! Smiley pulls this off with subtlety and wit.

Schachnovelle (1943) by Stefan Zweig. A short, interesting novel by another great German writer, this is a psychological portrait of two personalities who battle on the chess board.

Happy Birthday Greg!

Greg is 55 years young today--Happy Birthday to him! Chris bought him his favorite cake (German chocolate) from our favorite grocery store (Rosauer's), and he got this funny card to go along with it. I liked this picture so much that I wanted to share it. It made me feel like I had taken part in the celebration just a bit--notice my name is on the card too!

Roses in the City and Enticing Courtyards

All of a sudden, in all kinds of unexpected places, the roses in Munich are in bloom. I happened upon several lovely displays on a walk through my neighborhood yesterday.

The lush courtyards are also a treat here. I often take a moment to admire them and to think about how cool it is to have so much green space in the middle of a big city.