Olympic scale knitting

When the Ravelympic goal was set it made me nervous. Uncertain that such knitting could be accomplished before departing for Stitches West loomed in my mind. Turns out that President's Day and the Mardi Gras celebration actually helped me reach my goals!















As if that wasn't enough help, we went to see family last Sunday. The car ride was an hour and half there and by the time we returned, I was knitting straight stockinette and could pretty much do that in the dark.

The yarn is Briar Rose Fibers Heritage which turns to softness when washed. It blocked nicely. Needles - US 4 and US 6

There is one more UFO in my basket that should be finished before departing for Stitches. Susanna Hansson's classes have me very excited and I have a little surprise project waiting for me when I return.

Ravelympics 2010: progress

When my goal for Ravelympics was considered, I worried. With my shortened schedule because of Stitches West, the goal seemed like a bit of a stretch. It turns out that the vest is going much quicker than anticipated. With the very Southern holiday of Mardi Gras, when things actually close down for celebration, knitting time has been premium.

The armholes for the back have been decreased and things are progressing well. So well, that I took time out to make cupcakes for Valentine's Day.

Two words work their way into my mind. They seemed silly coming from a drunk, middle-aged woman celebrating her birthday during dinner last weekend, yet they must be used:

"yay, me"! She was happy because she just bought herself an iphone which was a little silly. Seems appropriate to describe knitting, though.

Giraffe

Bugg loves most animals. When she was little, we spent much time in the penguin house at the zoo and I thought that penguins would be the animal she loved best. As she got older, she gravitated toward giraffe. She loves the giraffe so much that we tried to track one down at the Build-a-Bear Workshop over Christmas break.

With her birthday coming up, this pattern seemed to be a sign. Photos of illusion scarves had barely gotten a glimpse from me before this pattern. The whole concept seemed like time better spent on a lace-something-or-other. Turns out, the process is not boring and does require some thought.

In the end, there is this illusion giraffe scarf that Bugg will receive for her birthday. She will love it!