Inauguration Day Scarf!

Inauguration Day Scarf!
Originally uploaded by fiberbrarian

Here's the scarf I started on election day. It's hemp/wool pencil roving on size 6 needles, using the Misty Garden scarf pattern (Jo Sharp) from Scarf Style. The roving is from DZined/Debi Daniels.

Election Eve

I think that in my last post I mentioned how, at best, I am cynical about politicians. When I think about it, I realize that I have never voted in a presidential election where I felt that I was not gritting my teeth and making a choice between the lesser of two (or three) evils.

Until now.

The fact that I really, consistently, genuinely like what Obama has to say about things that I feel are important is almost baffling to me. I can’t decide whether this happy or sad. Happy because I actually feel like I am voting for someone I respect and *gulp* trust. Or sad because it took so long to get here…

At any rate, I haven’t been spending any time with my mobius/scarf since about three rows after my last post. I think that was way back before the Democratic nomination went to Obama. One week in particular, I was so fed up with the ridiculous infighting going on between the Obama and Clinton camps. When it was time to start a new row on my mobius, I pulled out this scary, gaudy, awful novelty yarn and started to knit with it.

I think this was the beginning of the end.

The thing began to look more and more like an intestine wearing a cheap feather boa that had been chewed on by a cat. Let’s just say I did not think happy thoughts when I worked on it…

At around the same time, I started working on a lace shawl with some gorgeous hand dyed tussah silk. I loved the yarn, I loved the pattern, I loved the rhythm of the lace chart. Working on this project made me feel gooooood.

I had and idea. It’s an idea that’s been steeping in my head for months.

If McCain wins, I’ll finish the Inaguration Day Intestine/Mobius/Scarf/Beast. I won’t like it, but I’ll wear it. Then I’ll give it to the cats to destroy…

If Obama wins, I’ll finish the Handsome Triangle for Inauguration Day, and be happy that something beautiful prevailed.

Finished too early

I'm usually pretty good about following the rules for just about everything. I have to confess, however, that I didn't follow all of your rules. My scarf is finished too early.

I was really excited about this knit-a-long, and I tried to keep putting it down. BUT...every time something would happen I'd get it out to help me feel like I was doing something. Every time someone sent me an insulting email, I read a disturbing article, I overheard someone say something -or have them say it to my face- unkind...I'd knit. Every time there was a primary, or a speech I knit. Every time I felt hope and change were coming, I knit. It kept getting longer and longer.

Then one nite my husband says, "That's pretty cool. You'll look great wearing it on Inauguration Day when they swear in Obama. I'd like to have one." AHA!!!! So the first one is finished (I gave it to my husband for the idea) and I'm starting a second one for me.

I'm sorry for breaking the rules. I DID use all scrap yarn. I DID pick the snake pattern from the rules page. I DID knit with thought and purpose. AND I DID put my Obama sticker on the car this week, right next to the Alabama license plate!

Please forgive me.
Peace.

Halfway...

So I think we're about halfway, right? I'm not even close to halfway done, but I hope to catch up! Lots of mistakes so far, like the last 8 years. Is that why the pattern is making those W shapes? Oops! Those dropped stitches are my civil liberties. Oops! That part that's unraveling there, that's the fabric of democracy.... and that totally ass-backwards part? Pre-emptive War Doctrine... yeah.

WWKIP Day Accomplishment

Hey, everyone! I found this idea on June 13, 2008, so I started my Inauguration Day Scarf on WWKIP Day! I decided to work on my scarf for my whole KIP-ping experience, and I am now about 1/4 of the way done, so about 1/2 way caught up to being "current"... I finished 66 garter ridges... I will keep doing this scarf in weekly burts, rather than daily, at least for now... I am not looking forward to dealing with all of those ends! :)



I also think that it would be cool to have knitting (and non-knitting) people that I share my life with this year knit a row or two on my scarf! I guess I just have to carry around a *huge* bag of scraps wherever I go! :)

-terrimonster

Inauguration Day Scarf, Take 2

My second attempt at this project is only in its infancy. But that's okay, right? We don't even know who our candidate will be yet! Unlike the courteous Lucy, Saffi didn't think much of providing scale.


She was too busy enjoying the repurposed first effort.

280 Days to go...

I was feeling a bit unhinged upset yesterday evening about the latest bickering going on between the democratic candidates. To distract myself I decided it was high time I caught up on this scarf. Here it is today, with one garter ridge for each of the 85 days since I began the project.
Lucy kindly offered to provide some scale in the photo. This scarf is nearing the half-way length of a normal scarf. I think I will end this scarf at the half-way point of the year (with 182.5 days left until Inauguration Day) and start another. My brain was in such a strange place last night I began to consider doing something that would challenge me for my second scarf. Maybe even (gulp) fair isle....