A Full 24 Hours Ahead of Schedule

The Stora Dimum Shawl

Completed Saturday, March 20, 2010, 10:00 PM. More pictures after blocking.

Four Days To Go

I think I'm on the home stretch -- and just maybe -- I'll actually finsh by the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver on Sunday March 21st.

At this point I have decreased to 161 stitches. Ironically, 161 rows completed. There must be something magical about that number but I can't quite see it. Every other row I will be decreasing 4 stitches and every 20th row an additional 20 stitches are decreased.

The yarn has been nice to work with. A good feel and it looks like the shawl will have a nice drape. Am getting anxious to see this blocked. I think it will end up being a very nice project and one I can be "gold medal" proud of even if it wasn't completed in the original timeframe.

Onward!!

Major Wipeout

Yesterday was not a good day. The price one pays for getting cocky about their knitting progress. All of a sudden knitting the lace pattern got all wonky. I'd be going along just fine then the yo's just would not line up right! Contined for a couple of rows with the misguided belief that everything would work out ok and this was just a figment of my imagination -- you know how that goes (maybe if I ignore something long enough it will go away).

Thank you Elizabeth Zimmerman for teaching me how to "read" my knitting. Because of this, I did not have to complete the entire chart before realizing that everything was OH SO WRONG. Here comes the scary part -- took all 400+ stitches off the needles and ripped back to beginning of chart. Put all the stitches back on the needles, arranged with markers to verify correct number, then knit first chart row to confirm. Everything worked out ok. Repeats are in multiples of 12 so think I might put markers at various places along the line as a good reference check. Seems prudent at this point if I am to have any chance at all of finishing this by the end of Closing Ceremonies on Sunday night.

Yesterday felt like a major snowboarding wipeout but I'm back on my feet this morning after a good night's sleep and ready to give it my all today. Onward!

Sorry, no pictures today -- the wipeout was just too ugly to display.

Day 10 and Counting

The knitting venue has moved to North Port, FL where the daytime temps are in the 70's. The knitting gods are putting lots of distractions in the way of achieving that Gold. Would you look at the legs on the one spectator! And a pool -- oh my.

Resisting temptations, I continue to make progress on the Stora Dimun shawl. Half way thru the games in Vancouver; half way thru the lace pattern border.

On a roll now. The remainder will be all garter stitch with shaping decreases on every other row and an eyelet pattern every 20th row. Seven days left. Will I make it? Not a chance unless I get off the computer and on with the knitting!!

How High Can You Count?

Here's my progress. Doesn't look like much I know but represents 3 days of Olympics Trials.

Began Friday night to cast on 449 sts. Questioning my ability to count that high I decided to place markers every 25 sts (using one color) then using another at the 50 stitch mark, removing the 25 marker to use at next spot. Got to 425 and cast on final 24 to equal 449. Counted markers 3 times to make sure I had correct number. On to first row where I reset markers to pattern inc/dec points. At end of that row I was short by 26 sts!!! Not an even 25 but 26. Huh?

My solution? Marked the 8 border sts on each side and required 25 sts for center then increased 13 evenly on each side.

Took 6 hrs for me to get this event set up and ready to go. Do I consider this my training period?

2010 KNITTING OLYMPICS

Jagger Spun Heather Sportweight

1490 yds

Color: Bayberry

Have resurfaced to share my entry into the 2010 Knitting Olympics per Yarn Harlot.

I will attempt to take this cone of yarn and turn it into a shawl within the 17 days of the Winter Olympics. Pattern: Stora Dimun Shawl from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle.

Tonight I will cast on the required 449 stitches and see how many rows I can complete before the end of the opening ceremonies.

Stay tuned for updates.

Happy Birthday America

I always like to read the Declaration of Independance on July 4th. Go here to read it. I especially like the following:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I sometimes forget that it is my responsibility to pursue my own happiness.

10 Things I love about my country.

1. That we are like a big family -- we have our feuds and complain about each other over some pretty petty things (Mom, he looked at me!) but when we are attacked from outside we pull together and stand united.

2. We are free to roam around the country at will and can even leave the country without being challenged.

3. We are blessed with abundance and our citizens will generously share what they have with those in need.

4. The opportunity to pursue our dreams.

5. Free and open elections -- and being able to openly criticize elected officials without fear of imprisonment.

6. Our towns love to celebrate July 4th in a "big" way with marching bands, floats, picnics and fireworks. Don't forget the one person who is always willing to dress up as Uncle Sam.

7. The multitude of religious beliefs living side by side in tolerance.

8. The enormous expanse of our land and the natural beauty that it contains.

9. Our ability to look outside of ourselves -- to explore, to question, to invent, to thrive.

10. Finally, although there are, at times, significant problems within each of these things we the people continue to have the desire, and therefore find the ability, to become "united" and seek out solutions that address our common welfare.

May these qualities never be lost.