Before I get into my “real” post today, I want to thank those of you who have reached out to check on me after the tornadoes here in Michigan yesterday. Scary business, for sure. I always say I live in Kalamazoo . . . but technically, I live in Portage. (I’m essentially right on the border of the two, side-by-side towns. My kids went to school in Portage, we pay taxes in Portage, my address is Portage. But geographically, we feel like part of Kalamazoo and are more involved in Kalamazoo “stuff.”) Anyway. A tornado (maybe two?) hit Portage yesterday and did quite a bit of damage.
But not to my house.
In fact, we were unscathed – even though we’re only a couple of miles from the scenes you may be seeing/hearing about on the news. Tornadoes are so fickle. So just know that JoJo and I were camped out in a safe space in our basement, and Tom was driving home from our cabin up north. (He was not driving home because of the storms; this was the plan all along.) (He missed all the excitement.) When it was over, I was hesitant to even look outside . . . but all was fine. Not even any branches down in the yard. And although it flickered a lot, we never lost our power. I will say, though, that it’s pretty disconcerting to hear the weather folks announcing that “if you’re near the intersection of X and Y, take cover immediately” when that intersection is . . . YOU.
Anyway. I just thought I’d check in and tell you all that I’m fine, my house is fine, my garden is fine, and my still-in-progress fence is fine. (Send good juju, though, to all those in my community who were not so lucky.)
And now, on to today’s post. Which seems awfully trite in light of tragedy.
So I’ll just say this . . . I’m no longer a “Hitchhiker Virgin.”
I finished my Hitchhiker, and now I get what all the fuss is about. It was a delight to knit, and I’m really happy with the way it turned out. And, really. What more could you ask for in a knitting project?
How about you? Have you made a Hitchhiker? How many? And . . . what are you working on today?
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You can read all about my Hitchhiker – and see a lot more photos – here, in my Field Notes.
One of these days I will knit a hitchhiker- I think. Happy to hear that you are okay.
So glad you were not caught in the storms and they Tom made it home ok.
I have not yet made a Hitchhiker! I have several precious single skeins. Maybe it is time to try making one.
I feared for you, Tom, JoJo, your house, and your garden, so I was glad to hear that you were all okay. (Even your in-progress fence!) I am thinking about all those in Oklahoma and throughout the Midwest who have not been so lucky, and today sounds like another tornado day.
I love your Hitchhiker! No gauge issues, works with almost any yarn, meditative, and easily customizable -that’s why it’s the perfect knitting project (and why some of us may be working on Hitchhikers #30 and #31).
So glad that you and Tom are ok (and your house, garden, Jo-Jo, fence-in-progress). Your hitchhiker turned out great Kym! Isn’t it a fun knit? (Though I do kind of get tired of it when it’s near the end.). I’ve made a few – as you say, a good meditative knit.
I didn’t even realize there were tornados in your area! So glad to hear you are unscathed! Your hitchhiker is the perfect color to wear with all your outfits. Nice job!
Oh, man, I’ve been in a bubble, apparently, and this is the first I’ve heard of yesterday’s tornados!! So happy to hear that you were unscathed!
I am still a Hitchhiker virgin, but I am a big fan of simple knits with huge impact! I’ve knit a few.
Love the Hitchhiker and I am a HV as well. Glad all is right in your neighborhood.
I’m so glad you are fine (and missed the reports of the tornado!). I might have knit a hitchhiker a while back, but can’t recall. In other news, though, I ordered yarn for the shakerag skirt because I’m sure I’ll need a new skirt in 2026.
Part I: Holy cow. I’m sorry to say I had no idea. (I went dark from the news after the latest Palestine/Israel update I read early yesterday…) What a relief for you, and what devastating loss for some in your community. I imagine your town will be navigating that for some time. Tornadoes are strange beasts. Their paths (I’m sure they have a name) can be so ‘clean cut.’ We had one about 6 miles away that seared a condo complex in half–literally exposed a cross section and left half unscathed.
Part II: I enjoyed your Hitchhiker notes! And fun pictures. Are you contemplating making another? Seems to be ‘one of those’ knits!
Phew, I am glad you are okay! I’d admit my ignorance of Michigan geography outside of the Detroit area because I was thinking, “Oh, Kym’s in Kalamazoo, that’s probably far away from Portage!” So I didn’t think to worry about you, but all’s well that ends well, right? And your Hitchhiker is gorgeous!
I had a crazy busy day yesterday and never turned on the news so I totally missed that this happened in your area. I’m so glad you’re okay and didn’t have any damage! We had a similar situation last November and I know what you mean . . . it’s definitely scary to them say to take cover if you’re near X street and X street is YOUR street. Love your Hitchhiker!
I’m glad that you are safe after the storms! We were under a tornado watch yesterday, but the storms moved slightly north of us. I agree with you, tornadoes are fickle!
I’m currently knitting my first Hitchhiker and love the rhythm of the pattern.
Yikes, Kym, I totally missed yesterday’s weather – I’m so glad y’all are OK (and ugh for all the folks who aren’t so lucky). The HV Club is getting smaller … I will likely be a member for at least a bit longer, but every time I see a finished one, I think about cancelling my membership – yours is a beauty!
Kym, I just heard the news! (We were binge-watching some Brit Box shows today so were kind of incommunicado until now.) So glad you are okay! Will read your Hitchhiker post tomorrow morning which is how I like to start my day. That quick peek, though, leads me to say I love your yarn! Greatly relieved, Chloe
So glad you weathered the storm without damage. And I love your Hitchhiker — I’ve made one – which I like a lot. Very similar to yours – gradients of gray (though a bit bluer than yours).
My tornado story is about driving between Memphis TN and Montgomery AL, behind the path of a hurricane, a few years ago. (This was the last day of a cross-country trip.) The tornado warnings were mostly given by county. Now I don’t know about you, but when I’m driving that far from home, I have NO idea what county I’m in. We stopped for coffee that morning only to have the barista say, “oh you’re lucky, I just got back from the tornado shelter.”
No wonder there was plenty of parking in town!
One of the reasons I Comment so much is because I LOVE reading other people’s comments. Today there is both knitting content and tornado/hurricane content. It’s like being soothed and edge-of-your-seat entertained at the same time. No insensitivity to actual tragic events intended. I’ve lived in hurricane and tornado country and know the cost. Just the interesting-ness of hearing all the near misses. I love your HitchHiker and am in love with the yarn and it’s drape and how that drape glides around the neck. I’m wondering, given the nail-biting moments of yesterday, if you have considered knitting an Emotional Support Chicken. Like Kim Sheehan I am very Gung Ho about this and should have one completed by 2026.
I am ever so glad that you, Tom, and JoJo are all safe and sound. I am sending all the juju to your community… how awful! (and welcome to the Hitchhiker Train!)
Tornadoes are so fickle. We escaped two weeks ago in a similar situation. A hitchhiker is good fun. I have knit three of them, one from scraps. Yours looks very pretty.
Another Hitchhiker Virgin here. Maybe someday…