Finished!

Sometimes it's not about win or lose. Sometimes it's important just to finish the race.

I didn't officially participate in the Knitting Olympics this year, but I did make an unofficial goal of finishing two separate projects.

One of the projects is my Mystery Socks, both knit at the same time (sort of), started January 1 and finished February 18. I've done better, but that's not too shabby.

Pattern: Jan/Feb Mystery socks from the Solid Socks group on Ravelry.

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Semi-solids, Color: Jade

Needles: Kollage square DPNs, US1.5 (2.5mm)

The other project I finished has been staring evilly at me from the table next to my TV chair since last November. It was sleeveless when I took it to Washington with me over Thanksgiving. By the time I got back to Ohio, it had one sleeve finished, and the stitches for the second sleeve picked up. The week before the new year, the second sleeve was half finished. (Then the mystery sock pattern appeared on Jan. 1, and my focus went elsewhere.) This past Monday, when I was sent home from work early due to the severity of the White Death, I thought to myself, "How ridiculous is it that this project isn't finished yet???" I flipped on the Olympics, and, inspired by the endurance and tenacity of the athletes, I finished...

Calvin's Birthday Sweater!!!!!!!


Pattern: Sherwood from Knitty, Fall 2006

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease, 50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic

Needles: circulars and DPNs, US7

Size: 6-8 (30" chest)

Sure, his birthday was last November. But this is the FIFTEENTH sweater I've knitted for nieces and nephew, and this is the first time I've been late. And if you're gonna be late, you might as well be REALLY late. Besides, it's still the right season, and it will still fit him (I think), and it should still fit him next winter, too (I hope). And, I've already found the perfect pattern for his 5th birthday, and I need to get started on it very soon.

Plus, it's not about whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game. And, uh... finishing. Yeah. Finishing.

Three Pair*

I've taught a few Fibertrends Felted Clogs classes at the store this winter, and in order to garner interest in the pattern and the class, I made a store sample last fall. I originally had no interest in a pair for myself, so I made the sample pair to fit Karen, the store manager. However, when they were finished, Joy, the store owner, claimed them for herself, felted one, and left the other unfelted to show the difference in the store.


But then I actually had to teach the class, and I generally like to work on the same project that my students are working on, so I decided to make myself a pair. I didn't want to buy more yarn, though, so I scoured my spare bedroom for leftover Cascade 220 and came up with a big bag full. So I made a pair for me.


Hmm. A bit big. Perhaps I should felt them.


Much better. Super toasty. They stay on my feet surprisingly well, too.

So, I figured I was done knitting felted clogs. Two pair is enough, right? Then I happened to draw Karen's name (the aforementioned store manager) for the store's Christmas gift exchange. What to get her.... what to get her... oh yes! She got robbed of some felted clogs! So I picked out some new colors and got to knittin'.

Pre-felting:


And post-felting, an action shot of the third pair of clogs showing off their practicality and keeping Karen's feet toasty in the yarn store:


There you have it. Proof not only that I can finish complete PAIRS of things for knitting projects, but that I can complete MULTIPLE complete PAIRS of things for knitting projects. But three is enough. At least for this year.

*This post brought to you by the song "Air Force Ones" by Nelly, chorus lyrics re-written here to fit the theme of the post, and hopefully make Brenda giggle:

I said give me three pairs

(cause) I need three pairs

So I can get to stomping in my felted clogs

(Knitters) stomping in our felted clogs