Winter, Valentine's Day, and the 2014 Olympics

We received about 10 inches of snow yesterday which was a sight for sore eyes around here lately.  Looks like winter again instead of just feeling like winter.  It's been pretty cold around here, but we haven't had much snow, by Vermont standards.  I think the skiers are a much happier bunch today.
 

I finished my Merry Socksters socks on Groundhog Day----I really wanted to finish them within the month of January, but I'm proud that I got them done.  The colorway really gets your attention and I'm wearing them right now.  I made these on one long circular needle (40 inches) using the Magic Loop Method of construction (two-at-a-time).  I did this because I am notorious for getting the knitting done for one sock on double-pointed needles and then not even starting the second sock----in the Knitting World they call this "Second-Sock Syndrome" and I think it just results from not wanting to do the same thing twice.  Rarely have I ever knitted any project a second time----it's like the novelty is gone or it's like the saying:  "Been there, done that, got the t-shirt." Anyway, I think that this was a good start for the Year of the Sock.

For my next act I thought that I would work a couple of themes.  February is upon us and one always thinks of Valentine's Day during this time (perhaps President's Day as well, but I'm going to go with the former). Valentine's Day holds a special place in my heart and not because it's a day of love, proposals, romantic dinners, and roses.  My brother was born on Valentine's Day when I was a mere 4 year-old. Red tends to be the dominating color for Valentine's Day and it's always been my favorite color.  So, to rock this first theme, I'm going to knit a pair of red socks with yarn that I received from Dirty Water Dyeworks.  The yarn is 75% Superwash Corriedale/25% Nylon fingering weight (434 yards) which makes it perfect for a pair of socks. The color is "Flame."  The pattern I chose is I Love Gansey by Janine LeCras which is featured in the book Sock Club:  Join the Knitting Adventure by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott.  Above is an image of the socks that I pilfered from Ravelry. What the image does not show is a line of embossed hearts running down the front and back of the leg----a GREAT Valentine-themed sock!!

The other theme that will predominate whilst I knit these socks is the Winter Olympic Games.  I've been watching the Olympics all my life and this time will be no different.  My favorite sport to watch is the Figure Skating, but I've been known to hold my breath during the Downhill Skiing as well.  Ravelry gets into the Olympics as well by sponsoring the Ravellenic Games. Briefly, the Ravellenic Games is a self-imposed throw-down whereby you challenge yourself by starting and finishing one or more projects during the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.  So, in theory, you cast on your project during the Opening Ceremonies and finish during the Closing Ceremonies.  Here's the kicker:  the Olympics start tonight (February 6).....the Opening Ceremonies are tomorrow.  I don't think it's cheating to start tonight since I'll be most certainly watching the Figure Skating which is on tonight! Eighteen days to knit a pair of socks?  Can I do it?  Remains to be seen.....

Happy Valentine's Day!