gold!

i finished...does anyone else care? i didn't think so ;-)

this project sort of felt like tonight's cross country marathon to me (really not much to see til the end), so i didn't bother doing progress updates...gave up on the 'progress meter' as well, since i couldn't get the code to work properly, and i didn't want to take the time to figure it out.

got the ends run in and the seams done during the closing ceremony...i think it looks pretty good, if i do say so myself :-) even had time to finish off a cloud hat for the Dulaan box--they work up quickly and i wanted something FAST simple to work on while the sweater dried.

pictures tomorrow, at least of the sweater, since i've got a victim willing model lined up ;-) just hope that the lack of photographic proof of finish-ment doesn't get me disqualified

"...and the finish line is in sight...it looks like she's going to make it!" ;-)

the sweater is nearly complete--all knitting is finished, all that remains is two longish seams (total about 28", but they'll go quickly) and the running-in of the ends, which could be an olympic event in its own right ;-)

it's currently blocking (i always forget how long it takes for cotton to dry), and considering the time, i think i'll wait to start the seaming til tomorrow, especially considering how late (early? lol) i was up last night/this morning...

i'll probably take it over to the shop, where there's good company (and a Mardi Gras sale all weekend...wheee!) and work on it there...regardless, it should be finished well before the end of the ceremony...and, despite being sick to death of flat-worked-stockinette, i'm pleased with my accomplishment.

unfortunately there is one major minor drawback--now it's going to be known i can finish a sweater in less than 6 months ;-)

i can't wait to see what sort of medal franklin (he who is to create our gold medals) comes up with--i enjoy reading his blog (confirmed lurker though) and LOVE his drawings, particularly the sheepy ones...my medal will probably be as close as i'll ever come to getting one of his drawings though, as i doubt i'd have the intestinal fortitude to ask if he'd even consider doing one 'on commission', not to mention being able to come up with compensation...so the medal will have to do :-) (but PLEASE...no plated surplus CDs? ;-))

more details/pictures/etc later today, or maybe monday, depending on whether or not i can twist someone's arm persuade a kind soul at the shop to model the sweater for me. :-)

lol i'm showing my age now...i've got an old spandau ballet song running thru my head...anyone else remember "gold"?

definitely feeling gold tonight :-)

various updates

Knitting Olympics:
Knitter down:
3 day time penalty for misuse of a gauge swatch--participant has been required to rip out all completed knitting and begin again with the suggested needles.
(grr...i told you gauge swatches LIE...thanks, guys, for measuring and trying to make it work...at least i wasn't farther along)

Team Michigan:


LynnH of ColorJoy! has organized Team Michigan for the Knitter's Olympics, and was kind enough to allow me to join and not to mind me double-teaming :o) i got to spend some time earlier tonight knitting (and commiserating? lol) with fellow teammate Rob, who is working on a most fearful/wonderful Dale ski sweater...and i don't envy him THIS challenge one little bit (but i can't wait to see it finished!)

Jaywalker:



another washout (at least temporarily)...cara needed the final update by 12am february 14th, and i really did try (despite not hearing back from her about my feb 1st update--no biggie she's a busy bunny), but i just couldn't manage the 3+ inches i still needed to complete before midnight...on top of which, i've got that 'running out of yarn' feeling again :oi'll still complete them (if i can, as there's no way to match the yarn if i run out...i suppose i'll have to sub in something else), and if anyone still gives a rat's, i'll post pics then...but i'm out of the running for the KAL...it was fun though...thinking lucky thoughts for those who did finish :o)

Goodies:
i've gotten a number of boxes full of goodies lately, some ordered (from susie at PerchanceToKnit, and from diana at Artemis Imaging) and 2 from the land where martian cows run rampant ;o) i've got some photographing to do before i can post about them, but will do so soon. (tahlia, you have incredible timing...you gave some much needed joy tonight to a very blue person...i still can't thank you enough...but i'll try!)

and lastly...my concession to the "holiday"...wishing whoever might stray upon this blog a happy valentine's day:

(generated here...easy way to waste a few mins)

Y Ddraig Goch ddyry gychwyn!*

originally i had thought i'd avoid joining this:



but as i managed to meet several of the qualifications for this team:



i couldn't resist ;o)

my event will be:
completing a project within a specific time frame (without coming unglued lol), which for me is much more of a challenge than the actual sweater

project:



pattern: Oat Couture's Bistro Shirt (shop model)

yarn: Tahki Stacy Charles' "Tweedy Cotton Classic" Color 480 (color chart here)
this is a multi-strand mercerized cotton yarn, and so far i'm liking it very much (good thing, as this is the first time i've knit with this sort of yarn)...i can see how it might have a tendency to be 'splitty' because of the plies, but i haven't had much of a problem with that so far.

i've already finished a couple inches or so of the back (as "official" cast-on time was 2pm Friday), but as stockinette, even in bright yarn, isn't terribly thrilling, i'm hoping to have a progress indicator up very soon (just have to do the math eep lol)

Stephanie, organizer extraordinaire, posted this on her site earlier today...i've copied it here as my pledge of committment...to try :o)

The Knitting Olympics Athletes Pledge

I, a knitter of able hands and quick wits, to hereby swear that over the course of these Olympics I will uphold the highest standard of knitterly excellence.

I will be deft of hand and sure of pattern, I will overcome troubles of yarn overs and misplaced decreases. I will use the gifts of intelligence and persistence (as well as caffeine and chocolate) and I will execute my art to the highest form, carrying with me the hope for excellence known to every knitter.

I strive to win. To do my best, and to approach the needles with my own best effort in mind, without comparing myself to my fellow knitters, for they have challenges unique to them.

While I engage in this pursuit of excellence and my own personal, individual best, I also swear that I will continue to engage with my family in conversation, care for my pets, speak kindly with those who would ask me to do something other than knit, and above all, above every stitch thrown or picked, above every cable, every heel stitch, every change of colour, I swear this:

That I will remember that this is not the real Olympics, that I'm supposed to be having fun and that my happiness and self-worth ride not on my success....

but on my trying.

to my teammates i say (badly lol):

pob lwc! dal ati! daliwch ati!
Ewch tîm! Cymru am byth!





*i cannot guarantee that my welsh is accurate...as my usual "live" translator is MIA, most of the phrases and translations were taken from
this site...if i've mangled things badly, i apologize--let me know and i'll make amends...in order, the translations should be: "the Red Dragon will show the way!"; "Good luck! Keep at it! Don’t give up!"; "Go Team! Wales forever!"

crossing against the light...

very quick post to see if i still qualify for cara's KAL :o|

...if i do, i'll have to edit it with a better photo etc when i get home tonight



if not...well...i'll finish them anyway (i'd been planning them as a gift and got behind--big surprise there!)...my own fault for being a pokeyarse lol...it was still fun seeing all the interest and socks!