The Art of Racing In The Rain

September's book is The Art of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein

If you are in the Tri-Cities (Washington) area September 22, Mr. Stein will be at the Richland Public Library for a presentation at 7 pm.  More information can be found here.


This synopsis was taken from the author's web page found here.  There is a lot of info on this site, including a video, excerpts from the book, and even some of Mr. Stein's favorite recipes!

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it.

September's Swatches

September is the first month in our study of cables.  In my opinion, cables provide the biggest "bang for your buck" in that they are relatively easy to do and make such a visual impact.  I really hope you like cables as much as I do!

SPECIAL MATERIALS:  Cables require one more piece of equipment: a cable needle.  Here are some examples of needles:

 

picture credit

As you can see, there are many different types of cable needles.  You can even use a small crochet hook or a double pointed needle.  How do you choose?  It really comes down to personal preference and what you are most comfortable with.  I personally like the straight needles (the second picture), but for a first timer I would recommend something like the purple needle in the first picture.  The grove gives you a place for your stitches to ''hang out'' so they won't slip off the needles.  Most cable needles are sold in packs, usually with a few different kinds of needles, so you can try them out and decide what you like best.

TECHNIQUE:
Cables are relatively easy in concept, although they can feel a bit clumsy at first.  There are two basic ways to twist your stitches.  One way (cabling to the back) crosses the stitches to the right.  The second way (cabling to the front)  crosses your stitches to the left.

Cable to the Front:
This method is usually written like this: C#F (example C6F).  This means that you will be cabling across the next 6 stitches.  Most well written patterns will explain how to divide your stitches for the cable cross, but this is the most common notation.

First, you divide the number of stitches in half (3), then slip these first 3 to your cable needle and hold the slipped stitches to the front of your work.  

 Knit the next 3 stitches on your left-hand needle, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. 

Notice how the stitches lean to the left?  You've just cabled to the front!

Cabling to the Back:
Usually written as: C#B (example: C6B).  This means you will be cabling across the next 6 stitches, twisting them to the back of the work.

 First divide the number of stitches in half (3), then slip these first 3 to your cable needle and hold the slipped stitches to the back of your work.

 Knit the next 3 stitches on your left-hand needle, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle

Notice how your stitches lean to the right?  You've just cabled to the back!

Beginner:  Big Twist

C9F: slip the next 4 stitches onto cable needle and hold to front of work.  Knit the next 5 stitches on left hand needle, then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle.

Cast on 45 sts
Border Rows 1-5: K1, P1 across

Pattern Rows:
Row 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) P13, K9, P13 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 2 and all even rows: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K13, P9, K13 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 9: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) P13, C9F (see above), P13 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 18: Repeat Row 2

Repeat pattern rows 1-18 until square is desired size (approx 9 inches from cast on edge).
Repeat border rows 1-5.
Bind off all stitches.

Easy:  Alternating Twists

C6F: Slip the next 3 stitches onto the cable needle, holding the needle to the front of work.  Knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. 

C6B:  Slip the next 3 stitches onto the cable needle, holding them behind your work.  Knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.

Cast on 44
Border:
Rows 1, 3, 5: K1, P1 across
Rows 2, 4: P1, K1 across

Pattern Rows:
Row 1: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) knit to last 5 sts (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 2: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) purl to last 5 sts (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 3: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) knit to last 5 sts (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 4: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) purl to last 5 sts (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 5: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) knit to last 5 sts (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)


Row 6: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K5, P6, K12, P6, K5 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 7: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) knit to last 5 sts (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 8: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K5, P6, K12, P6, K5 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 9: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K5, C6F, K12, C6F, K5 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 10: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K5, P6, K12, P6, K5 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)

Row 11- 15: Repeat Rows 1-5

Row 16: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K14, P6, K14 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 17: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) knit to last 5 sts (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 18: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K14, P6, K14 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 19: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K14, C6B, K14 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 20: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K14, P6, K14 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)

Repeat these 20 rows ending with either row 4, 5, 14, or 15.
Repeat border rows 1-5
Bind off all stitches.

INTERMEDIATE:  Braid

C8B:  Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold to the back of work.  Knit the next 4 sts from the left hand needle then knit the 4 sts from cable needle.

C8F:  Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold to the front of work.  Knit the next 4 sts from the left hand needle then knit the 4 sts from cable needle. 

Cast on 44 stitches

Border:
Rows 1, 3, 5: K1, P1 across
Rows 2, 4: P1, K1 across

Pattern Rows:
Rows 1: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) P11, K12, P11  (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 2: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K11, P12, K11  (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 3: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) P11, K4, C8B, P11 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 4: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K11, P12, K11 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 5: Repeat Row 1
Row 6: Repeat Row 2
Row 7: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) P11, C8F, K4, P11 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
Row 8: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) K11, P12, K11 (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)

Repeat these 8 rows until swatch is desired size (approx 9 inches from cast on edge).
Repeat Border rows 1-5.
Bind off all stitches.