Multitasking Installment #2

LF, you know I've tried this before (Multitasking Installment #1), but back then, I sort of figured I wouldn't take the concept too far, but over a year later, and I'm still quite attracted to the idea. After all, this may be the year that I finally ditch road riding for trainer rides.  Let's face it, I don't have a lot of time, I'm not getting any younger, and the roads around here are best ridden in the very early hours, when some of us like to sleep in a little bit after a week of rising early.

Photos courtesy of Peter

 But is it possible?  Is it possible that I achieve any sort of Ironman success this year when so much of my training is performed while on an indoor trainer, multitasking furiously at the crafts and pastimes that I enjoy so much? I don't really know, but the year is young, and at least I'm happy:

Woman in her environment: yarn, bike,  nutrition,
computer, windows,
telephone.

 What's completely possible, I'm discovering, is that I really can crochet on the trainer, and today I worked the Moebious style loop crochet cowl, which is an almost perfect design for trainer work! It's a giant loop that twists itself in such a fashion that the wrap, or cowl, is worked first on one edge, then the other in a continuos loop. I can actually wear the piece while I'm on the bike! The product is fabulous, and my pattern, designed by Doris Chan, is a delight to work up.  I managed to get myself around this thing a few times today, on what was a long base building heart rate monitored ride.

double crochet, chain1, repeat...quite simple.

And so it goes! I was on the trainer, for quite some time, on a lovely spring day, but then i had plenty of time for a quick outdoor jog, a trip to the park with the kid, and yarn work on the front yard.  The next season is coming! And not just Spring!!!

Multitasking Installment #1

While out for a run this fall,  Kris suggested

Kris

that it would be great to be able to knit while running.  After all, the lesson of the fifth decade is that there is not nearly enough time to finish all of the projects that we would like to start and finish.  So this multitasking inspiration stuck (in fact, it reminded me of Mark's daughter, who is reputed to have knit while rock climbing).
Yesterday, given the bitter cold, I set my trainer up on the front porch, while Pete and the kids were snuggled up watching football in the basement.  Grabbed my computer for tunes, crochet scarf project and I'm there! Crochet plus cycling plus happy family.  The circle is complete!

This is possible!

I'm even on my aero bars!

darkness descends, and the insanity continues....

Did I select the easiest project? Not necessarily.  I admit, however, that this is the bulkiest yarn (#5) that I've ever worked with, and the fattest hook (P), but who cares?  I'm in the game!  This is winnable!!!!








So, all things considered, another GREAT day!  I've decided that crochet is the needle art of choice for the trainer.  If I knit, I need more elbow movement and a recumbent ride would be much more appropriate.  I've always said that crochet is more portable than knit.








Next installment: blogging while cycling....

Three hours on the trainer? Why Not?

The socks are on display, here.

The unveiling of the knee high variegated yarn toe-up socks!  Now that they're both complete I can embrace March with vigor!  Not many more wintery knit items on the agenda, and what's left I can finish before the clouds clear.  Addie took this photo this morning after I spent a couple of hours on the trainer.  If you know any tri-geeks, you know these make a great substitute for compression socks, which are all the rage amongst the Iron folks.  I love my jacket, which I donned because it was the nearest item of clothing that would cover my sweaty jog bra.  Today I was at home on my trainer, pinning on Pinterest, listening to Spotify, and tracking my friends' progress while they're actually out there in the world on their bicycles.  I'm thinking that for now, this is the new me! Between Indigo and her little brother, I'm supplied a nearly constant supply of really beautiful pictures of really beautiful places.  I can keep track of my family. I never get too cold or too hot. I can even learn and practice a new crochet technique!  It's all quite literally within my reach, and I guess the real question is: Why Not??