Gearing up for Ravelympics

So, for those of you who are not knitters (are there any non-knitters that even read this blog??) the Ravelympics is an event which takes place on the knitting community of Ravelry during the Olympic Games. The idea is that you pick a project (or projects) that is/are a challenge to complete within the two week time frame of the Olympic Games. You don't cast on until the Opening Ceremonies and you have to finish before the end of the Closing Ceremonies. Teams form for the purpose of cheering each other on.

I participated two years ago, and didn't do too bad. I focused on getting gift knits done, and I had a total of 4 projects cross the finish line.

This year I have gone bonkers. I am going to attempt to knit the Autumn Rose pullover by Eunny Jang. Fair Isle. Sweater. In two weeks. Yep - bonkers.

There's a bit of prep involved with a project like this.

First, I do not like the colors that the original is knit in. Oh, don't get me wrong - I think the sweater is gorgeous - it's just not in colors that I prefer to wear. So, I'm switching colors. And I want to use Knit Picks Palette yarn instead of the yarn called for. I've used Palette a lot and I like it - plus it's very inexpensive. So the quest for the perfect colors must begin prior to the Opening Ceremonies.

Secondly, I've heard that there are some issues with the fit of this sweater. I'm going to make adjustments to the pattern so that it fits my body better. I don't like plunging necklines, so I'm going to raise the neckline - which is easily enough accomplished. And I want to make the sweater a bit longer - it's a little bit short for my taste - again, that's easily done. The more difficult changes are to make the shoulder to armhole depth a bit shallower while adding in a bit more room in the upper arm of the sleeve. I'm going to have to plan those changes out ahead of time, and re-chart the pattern.

So, I've already done all my swatching - to pinpoint my colors and to check gauge (very important!!)

I'm going with a green color scheme. Here's swatch #1:


I don't like the yellow-green in the bottom check section. And the bottom of the medallion does not have enough contrast. Plus my gauge was a bit too tight. So on to try #2:

I tried out two different color combos for the check section. I've decided that while the yellows are pretty, I think they're too bright for the overall sweater - the greens in the medallion are muted and the yellows seem to scream at me a bit too much. So I'm going with the colors up top for the check section. And notice how the bottom (and top) of the medallion has more contrast now? I'm happy with these colors. I also went up a needle size and my gauge is much better.

I haven't made all my design changes yet. I'm going to try to get those done this week. I foresee lots of pen and pencil marks on lots of charts.

I am so anxious to cast this sweater on! The swatch sure whet my appetite for knitting this sweater!! I don't know how I'm going to make it a whole two weeks (almost) before the Opening Ceremonies. Oh well - I'll continue knitting on my WIPs until then. But it'll be pure agony, I tell you.