One step forward, three steps back...

Olympic Liesl Day 1

Day 1:  Stayed up late, cast on, knit a row and went to sleep (by this time it was technically day 2)

Olympic Liesl Day 3

Day 3:  Trouble getting started and staying on track but by now I was feeling good, like I was on a roll.

Olympic Liesl Day 5

Day 5:  Past the yoke increases, messed up a row, pulled back too far, a dropped stitch ran, much swearing insued, ripped the whole *!@# darn thing back, cast on, knit a row, went to sleep.

Olympic Liesl Day 7

Day 7:  Moving right along (again).   It will be a miracle if I finish this *!@# dang sweater in the time alloted.

Knitting Olympics

www.bistrodeleon.com

This is our favorite "grown-up" restaurant, where I knit between courses at yesterday's Valentine's Day lunch. See, it is not that I am not working on my Olympic  Liesl whenever possible.  The problem is that I have ripped it out and restarted it three times!    First, I forgot the button holes.    Then I skipped the first row.   Then I did not like the placement of the button holes (and one was on the wrong side).    Despite these trials, I like the pattern (it is, despite all evidence to the contrary, easy to understand) and I LOVE the yarn (KP Comfy Bulky).    The fact is that this is not an unusual start to a project for me.    I know what I like and am not afraid to rip-out and re-start to get it.   What is different about this project is the time issue.   While I am sure that I will have a Liesl to wear this spring, I am not sure if I will have it by the finish of the Olympic Games.   I guess that is what makes it a challenge.

It's a beginning....

Liesl day1

Did you see the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony?    It was wonderful; beautiful, artistic, compelling and very Canadian.   We loved it.  An unexpected bonus were the performances by my favorite musical artists (Sarah McLachlan, K.D. Lang, and Loreena McKennit).   Hubby and tween stayed up too (teen is visiting the ex this weekend).   A good time was had by all.

Casting on as the Olympic Torch was lit required staying up past midnight.    Not being a night person (I usually go to bed at 9), it was a struggle but I did it.   Still, done in with fatigue, I barely managed to cast-on and knit one row before stumbling off to bed.   I worked on it some more this afternoon while watching speed  skating and will get a little more done tonight while watching Apollo Ono.  

The pattern is proving to be easier this time, which is something of a relief.   I was worried that I might be losing my knitting grip.   The deadline is still a bit daunting but so long as I get more done each day than I did last night, I should be okay.

Keep knitting and don't forget to cheer on your Olympiads.

Let the Games Begin….

Tonight is the night.   The opening ceremony for the Knitting (and other) Olympics begins at 7:15pm (EST).   I am as ready as I can be.    The yarn (KP Comfy Bulky) and needles (KP Options) for my chosen project (Ysolda’s Liesl) are here, and good to go.    It is only a matter of time.

I didn’t actually make it through the last Knitting Olympics (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome stinks) and, I have to admit to doubts about this attempt.    It is not so much the time crunch.   I know that if I find the pattern doable, the sweater will get made.   It is just that, lately, I am having a hard time with things that do not usually challenge me.   This pattern is just one of those things.    I have already cast on and knit a bit, twice, only to find out that I did not like the yarn or understand that pattern.   I am an accomplished knitter.   I have read the Ravelry notes and spoken to a couple of friends who have made it.   It is not hard.    I chose it because it is obviously a challenge to me, but what if I am not up to that challenge.    Maybe I am just having performance jitters.   Surely I will feel better once I get going.

The time approaches, my friends.   Are you ready to cast on?

Special Knitting Olympics...

I was not going to do this.   It was not even on my knitting radar.   Last time I did it I had to drop out due to a bout of carpal tunnel (ouch!), that left me unable to knit for two weeks!   However, after reading this post over at Chez Harlot, I am going to give it another go.  I must be crazy inspired. 

After checking out the available options (This is, after all, the last minute), I have decided to go with Liesl.   I have been trying to get this sweater on my needles for some time but something always gets in the way.   The yarn (Comfy Bulky in Sea Foam) shipped on Friday.   I did forget to call KnitPicks re: the needles but I will get that done tomorrow.  I'll just use another brand until replacements arrive.   So, my challenge is simply to get it done.

In the meantime, after my funk of last week, I cast on for the Shawl That Jazz using a gorgeous hand-dyed cotton that I found in NYC a couple of years ago.    I love the way it is turning out.   The yardage is just a little short so I will have to find something complimentary to use for the ruffle.  I also decided to stick with the size 1 needles for my Koigu socks.  Now that I am further along, I like them.

Be good, and keep knitting.

(((hugs)))