A Swatch, an Olympic Dream and a Trainer!!!

Finally something to be a little excited about. My swatch is done for the Olympics! Yesterday I was kind of freaking out because I could not get the pattern to work and couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I am knitting the Viennese Shrug (Interweave Knits, Summer 2005) in the colour Smokey Pearl. The Shrug is knit in 2 strand Morehouse Merino. I finally got my yarn on Friday which was a relief, it was getting close. I am a Lace Virgin (I had taken a class with Joan Kass at the DKC Knitter's Frolic last spring but have yet to make a project) so this Shrug was supposed to be both exciting and enough of a challenge to make the qualifications for the Knitting Olympics. Of course, not being able to get the pattern right was causing me to have fits because I didn't know what I was going to substitute if I couldn't knit the Shrug, wanting it to be a challenge and also something I felt I had a reasonable chance of finishing in 16 days. More importantly, I loved the Shrug, not just because it is beautiful and different but also because there is minimal finishing (working from a provisional cast on at the back and ending at the sleeve cuff). Those who know me know how much I love finishing! Enter Joan Kass - super amazing teacher. After several emails back and forth (very generous with her time as well, particularly given how busy she is knitting for the likes of Dorothy Siemens and Fiona Ellis) and a test drive of the pattern, Joan rewrote the pattern for me and I was able to see where I was making my mistakes. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time she took and her unparalleled generosity. Better still, Joan has offered to be my Olympic Trainer through the knitting of the shrug (I do believe that I can persuade Ed to provide back and neck massages and maybe even a rubdown or two - the ultimate Olympic experience)! Unbelievably kind. The knitting community is absolutely wonderful. So I knit up my swatch (not in the final colour but simply to make sure my gauge is on) and I feel accomplished. It looks wonderful (the photo does not do the pattern justice) and I am so proud of myself! My week has been mostly resting and knitting a little of this, a little of that with not much progress on any one thing. I can't wait for days of boundless knitting energy and determined knitting focus. For now it will have to be the Olympics - ha ha!