Resting up

Olympics Update: I'm in the final phase of preparations. The yarn is ready, the pattern has been adjusted, the needles have been selected (Addis all the way this time, because speed is crucial). All I have left to do is straighten the yarn basket, de-clutter the knitting area (yarn bits, old post-its, stray cat fuzz -- they have to go), and fluff up the couch cushions. Soon I'll be off to the opening ceremonies! Well, actually, I'll be a little late -- I do have to work on Friday. You know, the thing that makes all the knitting possible? The "financial backing," as it were? No big deal.

~:~

I've discovered a quirky thing about this Moss Agate Socks That Rock. When I tried to knit it in a simple pattern -- the Slipped-Stitch Rib I was planning the other day -- it pooled like crazy, into weird undulating blobs of green and purple. Not attractive. I love it this way, in simple and uncomplicated stockinette, the comfort knitting I need before the Challenge begins.

Another thing I've discovered: I now have enough handknit socks to warm my feet for more than a week, with choices to spare. I can stop wearing the first pair I ever made (the "emergency" socks, like the "emergency" underwear that is left at the back of the drawer until one morning you have no choice but to put them on, because when was the last time you did laundry?).

And at long last, it feels like Winter, and my warm socks and scarves are a welcome necessity. The temperatures are back down to normal -- high 30's are predicted for today. I'm not a huge fan of bitter temps, but 50's in February is just too freaky. This sky is for Sandy.

It's going to be an errandy day off today, with a little knitting thrown in for good measure. I hope you get to have just the right kind of day, too.

C, and progress

C is for cups.

Big cups and little cups, cups for coffee and cups for tea, and cups just the right size for memories.

These are some of my cups, from left to right:

• My Disney World souvenir cup (for those mornings when caffeine in large doses is in order, and to remind me of my first and only trip there, in 2003, when I got to fulfill a lifelong dream and go on the teacup ride)
• My regular old just-for-fun everyday cup (Mary Engelbreit's "Life is Just a Chair of Bowlies")
• My favorite stoneware sheep cup (made in 1982 by a ceramic artist whose name I have forgotten, and purchased at the Frederick Craft Fair -- back in my weaving days, when $22 was far too much to be spending on anything, but my work was selling well that weekend, so I splurged)
• My little raku cup (V remembers who made this, so maybe she'll tell me, but the artist's studio is/was in Montgomery County, Maryland, and I remember it taking me forever to choose just the right cup)
• One of the last of my grandmother's china cups and saucers (this was our regular Sunday family-dinner china, as opposed to the company's-coming really good porcelain kind, and I suppose the cups and saucers lasted the longest because none of us children used them much).

It took me forever to figure out what C would be, but once I did, I was flooded with happy memories of all sorts of things that have to do with plain old cups.

~:~

Olympic Training Update:

I went to the yarn shop on Wednesday after all, because they had both of the patterns I was interested in. Good move, because I've been able to do the math and adjust for my gauge and fiddle and play, and I think I will have a very beautiful sweater if I use this one - the Side to Side Cardigan. Reverse stockinette on 4.5mm needles will do justice to the yarn, the pattern, and my knitting efforts. That, and I'm pretty sure it won't pill too much, which Manos tends to do. And it has Annabelle's tail-swish of approval. And I think I can finish it by February 26th.

I love this challenge. I'm beginning to gather momentum, and every day has a refreshing focus that I must have been craving, because I'm looking forward to all of it -- the knitting, the checking in with J ("How's it going? How's your gauge? Is it pretty? How many inches can you manage in a day? Need more chocolate?"), the updates that I'll get to read all over knitblogland and the excitement I'll feel as I follow everyone's progress -- and I can't think of another thing I'd rather be doing right now. I liked what Stephanie had to say about it the other day:

What's rocking my world is that each and every one of the knitters on the list are striving for their personal best. I'm impressed with each and every name on the list because every name, every one of them is a celebration of two things.
1. Excellence in knitting. Every knitter on the list is trying to stretch their skills. Not everyone is cut out for self improvement, and I'm sure even if you are not part of the olympics you are busy striving for excellence in another element of your life...but all of these names are knitters trying to do it better. That elevates the craft. That makes it personal art. I'm proud of you all.
2. Challenge. Nobody tries to do better without challenge. It is the elevating force of humanity, and at the risk of sounding like a motivational speaker...challenge is good for you. A chinese proverb reads: The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. I'm a long way from perfect, but I'm closer for trying, and so are you. Knit on.

I will, then!

~:~

My knitting energy seems to be very strong right now -- and the knitting is good. I finished the Trekking socks, and I started a new pair in Socks that Rock Moss Agate. I think they will be in a stitch called Slipped Stitch Rib, which is in Sensational Knitted Socks, but I'm still deciding. This colorway is bold and bright. We'll see.

(Silent) Poetry Reading

To the Hand
W. S. Merwin

What the eye sees is a dream of sight
what it wakes to
is a dream of sight

and in the dream
for every real lock
there is only one real key

and it's in some other dream
now invisible

it's the key to the one real door
it opens the water and the sky both at once
it's already in the downward river
with my hand on it
my real hand

and I am saying to the hand
turn

open the river



With thanks to Reya at Grace's Poppies, discovered through Stephanie at Yarn Harlot.

I'm designating Amie as my Jaywalker Pinch-Knitter. Why should I bring the whole team down, when she's obviously going to finish her pair? I've moved on to this simple, uncomplicated pair, since it's clear that I can't jaywalk properly. They remind me of geraniums in the summertime, which makes me happy.

• Yarn: Trekking XXL Color 107
• Needles: 2.5, 2.25 mm DPN's (I use big for the cuff and leg, and small for the heel and foot)
• Pattern: Basic Ann Budd pattern (but definitely Not Plain-Jane) with an Eye of Partridge heel flap

~:~:~

I'm still swatching for my Olympics Sweater. I have to choose a pattern, though. I've narrowed it down to a few, but I haven't the slightest idea which one I'll choose. I like Knitty's Sonnet (especially because it's knitted from side to side, and would show off my yarn, not my width), but I'm not fond of the neckline. I like Knitting Pure and Simple's Side to Side and V-Neck Neckdown cardigans, too, but I don't own these patterns, so I'd need to order them. I do have Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, so it's conceivable that I could design my own...

Don't Olympians have trainers and coaches who tell them what to do?

J and I tell each other what to do all the time. We're in consultation at this very moment. All is not lost, and it is a particularly beautiful day today, so I think I will spend time enjoying it!