Opalympics Medal Ceremony

Buttercup has been watching the O. with me and also watching me knit. She loves the Opal colors and is more excited than I about each new skein. When I told her I was on my last Opalympic sock she mysteriously disappeared. Later that evening when I presented the final, finished sock -- Buttercup presented me with my very own medal! Aren't kids the best? :D

Opalympics Event #3: Rodeo 1150

Whew, I made it! I completed the Rodeo 1150 yesterday just before dinner. I decided (after six pounds of yarn arrived in the mail) that this is the final event in the Opalympics. I have a couple of sweaters to start and four hats to knit (since winter has finally arrived in upstate NY, it's time to get some hats on the kids!). I think I'll save the kids' Opal for next winter. Their feet grow too quickly!

Speaking of the Olympics -- did anyone else tire of the commercials? Maybe we're one of a few who only have rabbit ears (okay, glorified rabbit ears -- but we still get just the major networks and PBS). Maybe the coverage was better on the premium channels. Maybe there are too many commercials everywhere. Whatever the case -- I'm ready to turn off the tv and return it to the closet!

An afternoon with Pah

Pah:
(In his manliest 4-year-old voice) "I will fight you!"
(quiet narrator's voice) "and the sword went on and on through the darkness, into the dragon..."
(dying dragon's voice) "AAAAAGGGGHHHHHHhhhhhh......."

Remember when you could completely escape into make-believe fun? Now I've got to have peace, an iPod, and a good book... Unless I lean back, close my eyes, and listen to my favorite 4-year-old narrating his adventures; that is, if I don't mind action stories with sound effects. ;-)

Opalympics Event #2: Rodeo 1153

Blast those self-patterning yarns! Who -- tell me who! -- decided to tie the end of a green patterning yarn with a solid salmon yarn -- running in the opposite direction????? Don't these people understand there's a person trying to knit a sock at the end of this process??? Take a look at the pic. The socks are great -- a premature start on the second sock, pictured on the left here (but I tried to make them the same!). Then, almost to the bottom of the second sock -- what's that? Did I suddenly turn and knit back up the yarn? No -- a blasted knot and a tie in that didn't tie in at all. Now, I may have the patience to pull out a yarn until I get to the right place in the color pattern, but I'm not about to unwind and rewind the rest of the skein so the colors will run the same way. Arrggghhh.... Do I really want to go on to Rodeo 1150???

Opalympics Event #1: Handpainted

Thanks, Mom, for the Opal Handpainted for Christmas. Color 22 has lovely shades of blue mixed with grey. As I was knitting I was thinking they look a bit like camo socks. Maybe I should have knit them for Pah (DS, 4, with huge feet!). These are for me, anyway, and I love the fit. Simple stockinette so I can watch the games and occupy the hands. :) The details: Plymouth bamboo DPN's size 0, 64 sts.

Opalympic warm-up

These are DH's Valentine's socks; lovely brown Opal and an adapted pattern from Beautiful Knitting Patterns. Thank you, DH, for taking time away from your latest project (which, I might add, is why I'm in my robe this morning, um, afternoon, blogging -- I want my tub back!) to model the Opalympics warm-up. These were a warm-up because I actually started knitting before the Olympics and finished just after the Olympics began. Oh, and just above is DH trying to leave for work one morning...

Opalympics

I love the idea of the knitting Olympics. I debated... Do I have time? Can I commit to challenging myself and tossing aside all else for 17 days? I decided I had other responsibilities. Homeschool really should come first. Although Buttercup (7yo DD) is knitting -- I just thought that asking a young girl of seven to join me in the knitting Olympics was a bit much to ask (not to mention hard to explain to the powers that be... "well, we took some time off so Mama could knit like a maniac.") So anyway. :) I decided to have my own Olympic knitting -- one has to do more than just sit and watch. I picked up the yarn Mom gave me for Christmas -- Opal Handpaint. Hmmm.... I have more Opal waiting in the stash... Let the games begin -- the Opalympics! So, I'm knitting my Opal and I'll post as I progress. My only goal -- to knit some nice socks for ME! And maybe a pair or two for the kids. Happy Knitting!!!

five days and counting

I have one sock finished for DH's birthday. The second sock is started and I'll be marathon knitting while teaching the kids and shoveling snow! I finished a seaman scarf last night. I have to weave in the ends and if DH will model, I'll post a pic by next week. Maybe he'll even model the socks. Assuming I finish them. :)