Last Alaska-related post.  I promise.  (I can almost hear you now: Lolly… you have been back from nearly two weeks!  Don’t you have other things to talk about?)

The Perseverance Trail is a network of trails that start right above the downtown area of Juneau – you can take various routes and reach the top of Mt. Roberts, climb up Mt. Juneau, or go in between the two to view some lovely waterfalls.  We chose the last option – along with Alli and her doggies, we persevered and hiked the miles through some beautiful country.  More wild berries.  More scenic photo opps.  More fun companionship.

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Inspired by this wonderful day on the trails – and as a tribute to my time in Alaska – I knit a shawl.  That’s what knitters do.  And I am calling this shawl “Perseverance”.

Perseverance

Pattern:  My own free design – on Ravelry!
Yarn:  Cottage Craft 1-ply “Black Cherry” colorway
Needles: Size 4.0mm/US 6 24″ and 36″ circular needles

I think I need to knit a bright green version of this to properly display the colors of trail… but the structure is more what I was after… and I achieved it.  The shape is a basic triangle, with textured stitches:  basic stockinette, half-linen stitch, reverse stockinette, and garter stitch.  I played with the idea of tiers – or switchbacks, as I think of them – to emulate the mountain structure of the shawl.  And the increase ridge down the middle even resembles a waterfall!

Another stashbusting knit, I purchased this yarn in 2006.  It’s a great 1-ply from a little outfit in New Brunswick called Cottage Craft.  I used their 2-ply Maritime Blue colorway to make my Street Smart Hoodie, and it was a great yarn that has worn really well.  I believe that this yarn will be the same.  It was great to knit with, and it really shows off the half-linen stitch patterning. This pattern would work equally well in a drapey yarn, or one with some more heft.  It’s very customizable!  If you make one, please link to it on Ravelry so I can see the results!

…and if you want to make it, you can queue it up here – and download the pattern!

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PS — So many thanks for your thoughtful comments on my “blogiversary” post the other day.  Heartwarming and encouraging!

Juneau’s climate is tailor-made for handknits.  The temperature is pretty consistent, and while we were there, it didn’t rise above 60 degrees.  You need warm and dry feet – make socks.  You need to cover your neck and chest – make a scarf.  You need to keep your head warm an dry – make a hat.  Easy enough.  You do have to factor in the whole wetness factor – because it rains approximately 150 inches a year (it’s a rainforest) but you just choose your fiber accordingly.

I did just that – and came away with two winning accessories that served me well during my time there.

Yvaine Shawl
Pattern: Yvaine – free pattern from Femiknisty
Yarn: The March Hare fingering weight, colorway “Driftwood”
Needles: Size US 8 circulars
Ravelry Notebook Page

I did start it here, but I finished it there – so I am counting it as an Alaskan knit   The pattern was simple and very fun.  I really enjoyed the triangular shawl knit process and watching it grow.  Yvaine had some textural elements too, so it varied a bit.  The yarn really made it sparkle, in my opinion.  Loved this variegation the first minute I saw it at MDSW last year.

While in Alaska, I also whipped up a quickie hat.  I needed some warmth, and I also wanted a little variety from the one other hat that I had brought with me.  So… the Misty Juneau hat was born!  I brought this Spirit Trail Minerva along with me (a purchase from MDSW a few years back) and I made this beanie hat in two days.  And surprise!  the day I finished it – was a misty Juneau day!

I improvised the pattern – very simple beanie design with a wide ribbed brim.  Then, I did reverse stockinette the whole way because I liked the way it looked.  Here’s the Ravelry Notebook Page.  The yarn has a more violet tint than the photos show, with these small streaks of gray in it.  I doubled the yarn, and used a 16-inch size 8 circular needle.  Tried it on as I went along and bound off when it was long enough.

On the plane ride back to Maryland, I made a lot of progress on an improvised “design” using the basic triangular shawl shape.  It should be finished soon, and I will be sharing the pattern.

We had an amazing time in Alaska, and it was hard to leave!  I do hope to have another chance to make it back to Alaska to see more of the state – it’s a very special place!  I am still uploading photos on Flickr and will be in the upcoming days, so if you would like to see my Alaska set of photos (well, what I have so far!) you can see them here!

You have to fly or float to Juneau.  There are roads here in town, but the roads don’t connect with any larger system from another state or from Canada.  There’s 50 miles or so of accessible roads from the north to the south – but there “Road End” signs and then… and abrupt stop.  It’s where the road ends that we have found some great hiking trails!

We hooked up with Juneau native, Alli of Knitosaurus (seriously check out her blog – I am trying to persuade her to start blogging again!) who is both a hardcore hiker and a fellow dog-lover.  We became instant friends.  And we hit the trails with the four-legged friends – this time up north (aka “out the road”) with Kris on Eagle Beach overlooking Lynn Canal:

And then on Wednesday, we went all the way to the other end of the road – down to Thane in the south.  The trail opens up with an amazing view of Sheep River Falls.  The trail was quite muddy – and I fell twice – but we made it most of the way, so I felt accomplished enough!  Alli and I stand along with Oso, the adorable Husky wolf-dog that she raised from a pup, next to the Falls.  Alli is in her (second) lovely Owls sweater.

We have another date with Alli today – we are hiking up a mountain   There’s no shortage of amazing trails here.  And the real beauty of Juneau?  being able to wear handknit sweaters and accessories all year round!  I have two that I have finished while I have been here… photos of those next time!

Hiking every day gives you the opportunity to see many of the microclimates and biotopes in this Alaskan town.  On Sunday afternoon, Kris, dad and I went out to a trailhead on Douglas Island, across the channel from downtown Juneau, and hiked around the beach front, tidal pools, and up into the rainforest trails near a bluff. 

Coming in a low tide, we were able to walk right out into a rocky beach and find several treasures in the tidal pools…

The blue mussel shells on the bach grind down over the years and make a lovely purple gravel. Standing on this outer point, I looked up at the eagles flying in overhead. With dozens of eagles in sight everyday, it becomes easy to take them for granted… but this one was just so photogenic, landing on the top of the Sitka Spruce tree:

…and just up from the beach, the landscape changes to a temperate rainforest… just like that.

…and wild blueberries! Since us humans were enjoying this blueberry patch so much, we figured bears might be keen on it as well… so, as we grabbed a few handfuls, we were clapping and talking loud! No bear sightings yet.  It would be great to see one (or more!), but I don’t want to happen upon one right on the trail…

It’s easy to forget it’s mid-July when you are standing on the shore of a glacial lake… and when a handknit wool hat is necessary weather gear.

Glacier –> ice calf/iceberg –> ice cube –> ice toy

L-shaped (for Lolly!) ice – holding an ancient artifact in my hand before it melts!

When we arrived in Juneau on Friday afternoon, we started making plans for the weekend.  Dad had off work and we wanted to see some sites and enjoy the days with him.  He had already checked out Mendenhall Glacier – the large glacier just north of Juneau – but I think it’s one of those things you just don’t get tired of… so, we did it again!

That blue ice is the real deal!  It’s stunning!

We hiked around the glacial lake to the area where the water fall comes right next to the glacier. 

If you are following along with my Twitter feed (you don’t have to be a member to see them – just click on the link!) you are getting real-time updates about what we are doing and seeing.  I am also trying to stay “on top of” all of the photographs we are taking – so, you can view my Flickr photos of the daily activities.  If you are enjoying this, please let me know! 

See you again soon!