Knitting Olympics Update

As we all know by now, the Olympics officially ended sometime last nite. Which in turn means that the Knitting Olympics also drew to a close. I am sad to report that Old MonkeyGurrl did not win, place, or even show at these Olympics. Sigh. It prolly didn't help that the wee MonkeyGurl was needing some extry attention last nite, during the home stretch.

But I guess that really depends on how you view it. On the one hand, I did spend (16?) days knitting an item FOR ME. I did not let myself be interrupted by knitting for others, or with some new gorgeous pattern I found on Knitting Pattern Central. I made a choice and stuck with it. That's hard for me, you know; I'm the original Ms. Oscillator (betcha didn't know that, didja?!)

The pattern, Somewhat Cowl, was well-written and well constructed. I think Wendy is a brilliant designer (one who recognizes that simplicity and clean lines are beautiful). Unfortunately, I didn't take into account her ability to knock out a full-blown adult-sized sweater in a day or two. I swear, she must knit 150 spm (that's stitches per minute, for you uninitiated). My second mistake was not allowing myself additional time to knit. If I've never completed anything on that scale before, and I don't add in extra knitting time, then how can I expect to complete it now? Just because I put extra pressure on myself? Duhhhhhhh.


A view from the front - please forgive the crappy camera phone picture, yadda, yadda. Oh, and the pillows subbing in for my lumpy bod.




The yarn, Red Heart's TLC Cotton Plus in Spruce, picked because of its affordability and durability. I can't see me wearing anything alpaca in SoCal, and at $2.95/skein, it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than the Blue Sky ($11.95/skein). Plus, the color reminds me of a particular boy... but I digress.





A view from the back (yes, that is a monkey butt on the pillow!), in case you thought I was exaggerating about the fifty gazillion stitches involved. . .


This would have been a perfect choice of yarn *except* that I decided, a few inches into the ribbing, that I wanted the ribbing smaller. Not less ribbing, but the actual ribbing a smaller gauge, so I switched to 2's. Aurgh. Same problem I've had before with the repetitive stress injury (same yarn, same needles - DUHHHHHH!!!) Oh, and never one to leave a swell enough pattern alone, I decided what the sweater needed was MORE COWBELL. . . er, I mean, more ribbing. About 10", rather than the 3" spec'd by the WOMAN WHO WROTE THE PATTERN AND KNOWS FAR MORE ABOUT KNITTING THAT I EVER WILL.


When fifteen gazillion rows of 2xrib won't do. . . ADD SEVENTY-FIVE BAZILLION MORE!




On a needle note, for the first section (v-neck), I used my Denise 5's. They were HEAVEN. I love my Denises, I do, I DO! But when it became time to knit in the round, I noticed a considerable drag at the joint. Now I know why Denises only go to 5 - anything smaller, and the joint (join?) would be a bear to navigate. So I switched to some addi turbo 4's, which were great, until my BRILLIANT mind decided to switch to 2's. The addis I had were too short (24"), so I purchased some 29" Susan Bates Quicksilver circs. I had some difficulty with the join at first, but soon settled into a rhythm. For the price, these are some pretty nice needles.

So, if I had *intended* a Somewhat Deep-V Vest With Bare Midrift and Unfinished Edges, I would have won the gold. But in all honesty, I'm one of those pathetic folks that never get any airtime. S'alright, tho, b/c I'm pretty sure I'm gonna keep going on this until it is complete, and not let it sit around my WIPs pile. I may even actually wear it, but only to the WeHo SnB, where I will be lauded for my diligence (if not expertise). :) Gotta love those gals.