Ravelympics 2010

In an effort to jump-start my pregnancy-induced knitting slump, I jumped on board for Ravelympics 2010. Of course, I chose a much less ambitious project than last time, given the said lack of ambition and less time to veg out in front of the TV. I also joined Team Buttercream, for that extra dose of motivation.

Without further ado, I give you my project for the next 2 weeks:

Vancouver Cardi

Pattern: #22 Zippered Jacket by String
Knit Picks Cadena, 10 skeins
Size 10 needles.

Yes, I realize the large gauge is a cop-out, given what I've proven my ability is. See above.

You may remember that I butchered this same project back in the day. I love the pattern; it was merely a bad yarn and sizing choice (come to think of it, I have no idea what I did with the WIP. I know I never finished it and I can't remember ripping it... hmmm....). I think this is going to be a much better interpretation.

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In other news, DH made me give up the puppy. In his defense it was totally the right call, but I can't help it, I got totally attached to the little guy.

The only reprieve is that he went to live with a 7-year-old kid who loves him and was super excited to take him home. But I still might have cried over it.

I WIN.

FINITO!

9:15 PST, 8/21/08



I learned 3 thing from this experience.

1) I am lazy as hell. 1 sweater, 14 days. Why the hell do I have a basket full of half-knits?

2) I love this sweater!!!! But...

3) Alpaca in August S-U-C-K-S

RAVELRY ENTRY

Here's another, to show the extra length I added to the sleeves. I knit this a size up with almost 3 inches of positive ease because I wanted a slouchy, cozy knit I could wear all winter.

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On another note, Heather over at Knitting With My Horses sent a message for a wine list, which I have been meaning to do for a long ass time but have never gotten around to it. Thanks for the motivation! It's coming shortly.

5 Days Late for 08.08.08

Olympic Fever has been running high at our house.


Matt showing support for the Armos.

We headed up to the cabin for Opening Ceremony festivities; Matt cooked steaks, I knit like a maniac, and my brother-in-law got drunk. It was a great time.

We also had some deer that kept getting super close to our place. As my mom's man-friend put it, "That one is going to get shot. He's way too nice". That makes me really sad, actually.



Deer butt, anyone?

The girls came along too. Katy wore her new polo shirt for the occasion.

I can't help but laugh everytime I look at this photo. How freaking happy does that dog look???

The ride home was another story.

Dead. Tired.

Finally, I got so much done on this sweater while I was up there I surprised no one more than myself.



Started 08.08.08 at 7:25am while I was fighting off an oncoming migraine (no pain, no gain) and this was my progress when I got home Sunday night (why yes, I AM 3 days late posting this!!!). Since then, I've finished one front and am about 1/3 of the way through one sleeve which I have been bringing with me to work. I just might actually do this.

Ravelry Entry for this project here. For non-Ravelers and those too lazy to click, it's the Gathered Pullover from Interweave Knits, on size 7 needles and Knit Picks Andrean Treasure. I'm loving it so far.

Let The Games Begin

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

This is where I start this post with a half-assed comment about how I've been so busy and neglected the blog... blah blah blah. Well I'm glad I got that out of the way.

July was basically one big vacation for me; Yosemite, Chicago, Santa Cruz - I literally have no idea where it all went. So we were finally home and had a free weekend. What did we do? Throw a party, of course!


Shopping for masses-o-meat. A Little Drunk.

See, we had gone to help out my sister-in-law at a wine competition she was coordinating... and we drank a bunch of the reject wines (DUH!) aaaand got a little tipsy, which was only made worse when we decided to hit our favorite watering hole on the way home, aaaand then I decided to invite everyone over. Because trying to cook pilaf over a hot stove and chopping onions with a super-sharp knife seems like a phemonal thing for a chick who has had about 6 drinks to do.

One of our guests that night, Peter, had to suffer a little more than the others. About a year ago we started calling him Peter Rabbit for no other reason other than it was funny and it kind of pissed him off.



So we got a Peter Rabbit for the party.




You know where this is going, right?



And for those of you who prefer the live version:


Don't ask me why that was so funny. I BLAME THE WINE.

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On a completely un-related note, my Rav-Olympics Project is swatched and ready to go. More on that tomorrow or Firday.

Done!

Well folks, I did it:



Comment #1500 too, which is sort of cool. I'm jumping on board with Julie and will be attempting to knit the Gathered Pullover, using Knit Picks Andean Treasure (stash-busting! Woo!)

So now I'm daring the rest of you to do it. No pain, no gain!

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I'm off to Chicago this week for a conference/a couple days of play. There may or may not be movement on this blog.

To Be Or Not To Be

I'm thinking about doing the Ravely Olympics this year.

On the one hand, I freaking LOVE the Olympics - I always have a party for the Opening Ceremony, which includes the March of Nations drinking game (drink every time someone at the party's country of origin enters the arena! Try and pound your drink before the entire US Team makes the journey around the arena!) Also, as a retired gymnast I can't get enough of any of the acrobatic sports like DUH, gymnastics, but also diving and trampoline.





On the other hand, I am a fairly uncommitted knitter and can't follow knit-alongs to save my life. Trust me, I've tried it a couple times and I'm not even going to link my lame-ass attempts because it's embarassing. I also have like 4 major WIPS and do I REALLY NEED TO START SOMETHING ELSE.

If I would choose to do this, I am leaning towards the Sweater Sprint (SHOCKING!), with these options: [Rosebud] [Gathered Pullover] [Three-Penny Pullover]. I'm not sure if I should go with the miles of St St for ease of knitting while watching 15-year-olds do backflips, or I go the more complex route with Three-Penny to keep my interest level up.

The other option is the Shawl Relay, and I could knit Melody's Shawl, which I would love to have done by our trip to Italy in February.

Ah decisions. Is anyone else thinking about doing this?

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On a somewhat related note, I've made it a personal goal to finish at least two of my current projects before moving on - Thermal has had new life breathed into her, and I am one sleeve away from finishing up. That sleeve is going with me to Chicago next week and will see some serious plane-knitting action. Next on the agenda is the Terracota Tank and Rustic Cardi, which are going to Santa Cruz the week after that.

I just might be crazy.