3 hours short of the goal...

My goal was to get the KnitPicks sweater to the UPS store by 4:00 so it could go out today. I didn't make it - I missed my goal by 3 hours. 2 weeks, start to finish, while working full time, fighting the flu, and dealing with other assorted things that got in my way. 2 weeks, start to finish, and I missed by 3 hours. But - the sweater turned out very nicely! It's drying now, and the buttons aren't sewn on yet...but for all intents and purposes, it's done.

Once again, Kyle (my 11 year old) picked out the buttons. Once again, he did really well!

I will take a picture of the modeled sweater tomorrow before I ship it out; the stitch definition doesn't really show up very well in this picture.

I did make one goal, though - I finished this in time for the Knitting Olympics to begin!! I have cast on, and I have about an inch done..not enough to warrant a picture yet. Picture natural colored yarn on size 7 needles, and an inch of around and around and around...

From the Yarn Harlot:

The Knitting Olympics Athletes Pledge

I, a knitter of able hands and quick wits, to hereby swear that over the course of these Olympics I will uphold the highest standard of knitterly excellence.

I will be deft of hand and sure of pattern, I will overcome troubles of yarn overs and misplaced decreases. I will use the gifts of intelligence and persistence (as well as caffeine and chocolate) and I will execute my art to the highest form, carrying with me the hope for excellence known to every knitter.

I strive to win. To do my best, and to approach the needles with my own best effort in mind, without comparing myself to my fellow knitters, for they have challenges unique to them.

While I engage in this pursuit of excellence and my own personal, individual best, I also swear that I will continue to engage with my family in conversation, care for my pets, speak kindly with those who would ask me to do something other than knit, and above all, above every stitch thrown or picked, above every cable, every heel stitch, every change of colour, I swear this:

That I will remember that this is not the real Olympics, that I'm supposed to be having fun and that my happiness and self-worth ride not on my success....
but on my trying.

Let the games begin!