After meeting lots of great people, taking up the ukulele, and rediscovering the joy of a bicycle, I realized this has been a great year in Colorado and I feel very comfortable here. And with this new found comfort and ease, I decided to take the plunge and become a homeowner.

Last month we moved into a lovely bungalow built in 1921 in a multi-cultural neighborhood in Denver. While the world around us seemed focused on Christmas preparations, we’ve had a busy month of unpacking and getting settled in. The house appears to be one of those kit bungalows that were so popular in the early 1900s. I keep envisioning that the original builders ordered the kit from Sears and worked through the summer to build it. It has very basic bungalow features like a low roof line with a small dormer window, hardwood floors, simplistic wood frames around windows and doors along with a few arched doorways. I’ve fallen for the charm of the bungalow, so I’ve been reading about bungalows as much as possible during the past month and making plans for little bungalow “updates” here and there like adding stenciled details and Arts & Crafts light fixtures.

Over the next year or so I’d like to learn how to build a beautiful garden in this dry landscape and to do hand embroidery. Meanwhile, Pauline would like to be able to explore the house’s cellar and crawlspaces and Izak wants to find pretty places to nap.

Today we planned to spend the day in Rocky Mountain National Park, hiking and picnic-ing. After G packed our picnic and I donned my newly-knit tee, we headed out. As soon as we drove up the street to the top of the ridge, I saw smoke, lots and lots of it!
A fire had just started about 15 miles northwest of us in Four Mile Canyon (Boulder). At our home, the air is clean and crisp with a bright blue sky over head. Just a mile up the road, over the other side of the ridge, the atmosphere is thick with warm, grey smoke.
The fire is heading north towards Hwy 36, the road to the National Park. I have a fear of house fires and besides, my cats were at home alone with the windows open, so we decided to eat our picnic at home.

Did I mention that I’m wearing my newly knit tee? I finished it first thing this morning before eating breakfast.

The pattern is nothin but a t-shirt. The pattern calls for a cotton/acrylic blend yarn, but I decided to use a bamboo and nylon blend yarn, Berocco Bonsai. This yarn has great drape. The two color ways are Tofu and Raku Brown.

The main part of the top uses the tofu colorway, about 600 yds worth. The neckline and sleeve hems use the chocolate brown color, about 50 yds. I love this deep, rich brown trim. If I find this brown colorway again, I will get more.

This ribbon yarn is classified as a worsted weight, but I think it’s more sport weight. I love the texture of it in stockinette stitch.
When knitting this pattern I decided to modify it slightly by knitting in the round because it would be faster. I added extra increases in the bust for a FBA. Seaming this t-shirt was a straight-forward and quick job.

This project was a great way to finish off the summer season. Next up: warm, woolen knits!