Friday, February 10, 2006

Clearing the Decks

Goodbye for now to the lone Jaywalker. No bets on when it will either be finished or joined by a matching sock. But I am taking a few moments to pet it today, just because it finally grew by some (metrically-measured) amount.


All Olympic training, such as it was, is over. Today it starts. Cue hysterical laughter, as my training has consisted of having a plethora of children, arranging it so that rolling viruses (virii?) have come through the household, I haven't slept more than three consecutive hours in a week, and pretending that I can knit more than a row without making some goofball mistake.

I love thinking of people all over the world anxiously watching the clock, ready for their 2:00 p.m. cast on. I've gathered supplies:


Rounded up: a variety of needles in different sizes, for casting on and off, knitting short and long (I'm open to some flow in the process), floss, needle, pattern, yarn. The pink embroidery floss and the blue needle (focus problems thanks to the camera-strap-grabbing baby) are there because I know myself. Mr. Lifeline and I are going to become pretty close friends, I think. Notice that I've actually made a mock-up of the pattern, complete with repeats glued across the middle. Anyone operating on as few synapses as I am needs all available external help . I'm going to find some magnets and use our metal "make a word" boards to keep track of where I am.

I'm also not showing the remote for the TV. I warmed up last night by watching a videotape of Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swanson cheerily knitting a percentage sweater. It reminded me that life is long, there's a lot to learn about knitting, and making something beautiful will eventually last longer than even my childrens' snotty noses.

Cheers to knitters everywhere.

5 comments:

bfmomma said...

I *love* the colors you're doing your jaywalker in. By the time I get around to trying a jaywalker, they'll be so passe`...

I eagerly await your knitting olympics posts. It's such a cool idea! But I know better than to try something like that. Three months to knit a pair of socks is rough enough for me! lol

And I am SO envious of your garden boxes. (sigh) And to a lesser amount, your chickens. I grew up with chickens and while I never really appreciated them when I was growing up (do we EVER appreciate stuff like that?), it would be cool to have some now. Alas, my 1/8 acre city lot is not zoned for them and my trees are too big for even garden boxes... I'm hoping my herb patch does as well this summer as it did last summer, but here in WI that growing season doesn't start for another 3 1/2 months.

I live vicariously through you and plan to visit someday :)

Stefaneener said...

Your Jaywalker will be retro-revival when you do it!

You are welcome to live vicariously through my (cough) 12-season garden! And I can live through your real estate prices. Mwaaa haa haaa.

Rain said...

Just cruising by to check out the competition.

You look organised!

The jaywalker is great so far, it won't be long before you get back to it.

amanda j said...

Wow, so many needles, so little time. I will be following your progress too. My project is not as challenging as it could be . . . may have to stretch myself with something else! Thanks for your comments.

A said...

lori, that's how I felt knitting clapotis - like I was a year late. Finished last night though! Started that db and yk? It was not as bad as I thought. Maybe beginner's luck but I'm about 10 rows into the lace and no mistakes. woo!

S, you ARE organied - the magnet idea is great. I still can't figure out the knitting olympics concept. Is there judging? I went to that blogger's website but I didn't see a clear explanation of what is going on. I just can't handle the stress of any of this sock-trading or knitting competition stuff. wimp!