What a weekend!

Where to start? Company, flowers, chocolate, good food, a musical, a new table game, Olympics, Valentine's Day, flowers, cookies and knitting.

You already know that I started my Knitting Olympics vest Friday evening during opening ceremonies, although we didn't turn on the TV. My sister and her husband arrived in time for supper, the table graced by the beautiful bouquet of flowers my husband brought home for Valentine's. We didn't stay up late as Kristine and Phil had spent the previous night in the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport on Coleman cots (thanks to the biggest snow storm there in 111 years) and were very tired.

On Sabbath Phil's dad and friend (from Medford) met us at church, and Phil's dad came home with us for dinner before going on to a men's chorus practice in Salem. My sister had offered Rick and I a date night, so we went out to eat and then saw The Fantasticks at the local community theater (Brian was thrilled he got a "date night" with his aunt and uncle!). When we got home we watched a little of the Olympics while playing a table game my sister brought along (Phase 10). It was a lot of fun - we stayed up TOO LATE!

On Valentine's Day morning there were cards and chocolates for Brian and I from Rick; I got Rick a Western-style vest. After breakfast and more Olympics, we went to the Evergreen Air and Space Museums, meeting up with Phil's dad's friend and her family there. After Phil's dad and friend headed back to Medford, we had some more time with Kristine and Phil at home. I had ordered special Valentine's Day sugar cookies for everyone, which we enjoyed, along with another game of Phase 10. Then they headed to Portland to meet other relatives and get a good night's sleep in preparation for my sister's interview today, and I knitted some more. Here is my progress so far:I just started my third ball of yarn; I'm worried about having enough. Of course I'm using a discontinued yarn, and will be able to get no more should I run out before finishing this vest. I do have two or three more skeins in different colors (white, lighter grey), but I don't think any amount of over-dying would disguise the differences. I'm trying not to panic, but will definitely take note on how much the back of the vest takes before starting on the fronts.

Oh, and our daphne odora (oh, heavenly scent!) opened on Sunday!
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Do you see a theme?

Olympic knitting progress (last night's efforts):
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Olympic update

Swatch #1, natural New Zealand wool

Swatch #2, "Tundra" Icelandia, a little overexposed

So yesterday I swatched a different yarn from my stash. I have the correct amount for the vest (nine 50-gram skeins), and although I really wanted the "unfeltability" of the New Zealand wool I was planning on using, the Icelandia is spot-on for gauge (so no maths needed) and is a much softer yarn. I thought it might not show stitch definition as well, being a loose single-ply, but I think the swatch is lovely. Since I really want this vest to turn out well so I can use and enjoy it, I'm switching "gear" just before my event starts - not advisable for a world-class athlete, I'm sure, but hopefully not an issue for an Olympic knitter. :-)

Now to get at least some of it wound into center-pull balls so I can cast on this evening. Wouldn't hurt to practice the thumb cast-on method, too, as that one is new to me.

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Olympics, here I come!

No, we're not planning a day's drive north to attend the big event in BC. Not that it wouldn't be fun, but as you may recall I wrecked our economical ride and we're saving our pennies for an eventual replacement (and driving ourselves crazy with research and test driving). Instead, I'm going to be IN the Olympics - the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics!
The much anticipated and somewhat intimidating Aran vest will be my event:I've already swatched with my much bulkier-than-called-for yarn, and must do some maths in preparation. I will be casting on during opening ceremonies Friday evening; my sister and her husband will be here for a welcome visit so I will probably get a slow start, but it's not always the fastest off the block who wins! Not that I need to win, just finish. Hmm, that's a tall enough order in and of itself. Wish me luck as I go for the gold!

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