Vera's Crafty Blog

Knitting for Gold?

Ravellenics Progress

My entry for the 2014 Ravellenic Winter Games, Vodka Lemonade, is doing well.

 

I'm into the waist shaping, and I hope to get to at least the first sleeve by the end of the week.  Not sure if I can get it all done before the end of the games, but I should be close.  It's a great pattern, a pleasant knit, and I really need to do more with the Silky Wool.

My Sochi Update

I've also been watching a lot of Olympic coverage while knitting.  America's performance in my favorite sport, speed skating has been dismal with no medals.  At first, the blame went to the new uniforms. Then, they went back to their old ones, and that didn't help.  

My opinion: It must be the Dutch.

Even though I don't understand it, I'm fascinated by curling.  The Americans haven't done well, but I'm consoling myself with my Olympic crush from Team Norway, Thomas Ulsrud.

  So cute, I'll even endure a Cheetah Girl's song for him.

 

It must be those pants.

Surprisingly, I've been loving the ice dancing.  Generally, I've been dismissive of ice dancing as shallow and somewhat sketchy discipline, but I'm coming around a bit. Davis and White were superb last night and are in contention for gold today.

 

The commentary by the always fabulous Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinsky have been helpful and educational as well. My biggest takeaway is that I now know what a twizzle is.

 

Getting Dizzy

Neil Finn's new album, Dizzy Heights dropped last week, and I'm digging it.  Recluse is one of my early favorites.

 

....but it’s people that lose when you become a recluse...

Must be the music because it's always the music.

 

 

A Bit of Russian Vodka

Let the Games Begin!

I'm baaaaack!!!

Decided to particpate in this year's Ravellenic Winter Games on Ravlery in which knitters and crocheters work on a project during the days of the Sochi Winter Olympics.  You can start a new project or finish up some old ones.  You can challenge yourself or stay on the sidelines and cheer your fellow crafters on. There are all kinds of groups and events, and even prizes and medals.  

In short, a lot of fun.

The Cardigan

Here's what I decided to knit.

It's Vodka Lemonade by Thea Coleman.  It's a cute little number that's worked top down with no (or mininal) seaming, and it will be a great "go to" garment for the Charleston climate.

The Yarn

I've had this Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool for years.  Brought some sort on sale a million years ago from my dearly departed Knit.

It's color 98 which is a lovely shell pink--a nice neutral.  I had five skiens on stash,which should do but, for insurance, I  ordered two more from eBay.  It's a different dye lot, but we'll see how it matches.  I may not need it anyway.

The Knitting

The start of the Ravellenic Games was at the start of the Sochi Games Opening Ceremony on Friday.  I had the yarn wound, but forgot to bring it to work, so I couldn't get a gauge swatch started during lunch. Went out for dinner Friday night, so I didn't get started until Saturday morning.  I finished my swatches in the morning, and started the cardi in the afternoon.

I went to the movies that night, and even worked on it there.  Gotta be careful with seed stich in the dark.

Progress after day one.

About halfway through the collar.  Not too bad considering.

Yesterday, I powered on while watching the Games.

The collar is done, and I've split for the back and the sleeves.  The pattern is well written, and I'm loving the Silky Wool.  My goal is to get to the get past the sleeve caps and see how it fits this week. 

The Long Road

I'm seriously late to the party, but this weekend, I discovered the group Broken Bells by chance.  I saw a photo of the group promoting their new album, and recognized Brian Burton, known as Dangermouse. I liked his stuff with Gnarls Barkley and The Black Keys, so I them a listen, and downloaded their eponymous titled first album from 2011, and it's been haunting me ever since.

Especially this song.

 

It's too late to change your mind/You let loss be your guide.

For RBE RIP