I didn’t use the “O” word, so I can’t be sued, right?

Anyway, the event that is now know as the Ravellinic Games is starting tonight. Well, technically started this morning at about 8am, but NBC insisted on not live streaming. So I’m using the start of the opening ceremonies telecast. Which I am watching as I type that. I could be a professional procrastinator, if such a thing could actually exist.

I didn’t join a team. I’m a procrastinator, remember? I just decided to do this…a week ago? I’m not really sure. But it wasn’t the months ago that everyone else started. That’s the important thing to remember. Actually, I kind of kept forgetting that there were even going to be “games” this year. I will be disappointed if someone doesn’t try to push the potato-man logo Bart created in the 2010 “games” episode, though.

Since I’m not actually participating in the Ravellinic Games, I’m going to use Yarn Harlot’s rules she created in 2006.

“Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 16 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be. Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new knitter, then a garter stitch baby sweater might do…If you are experienced, well. I’ve already considered Torino. Use your own conscience.
3. While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don’t set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with pointed sticks because they haven’t slept in five days. ) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.
4. No casting on before the flame is lit.
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may swatch before the games. (I consider this “training.”)”

With those rules in mind, I’m setting off to create this wrap sweater (and perhaps the leggings, if I have enough yarn left). As part of my “training”, I sketched out the sweater:

so I could try out the color combination I am planning:

And, yes, that really is the yarn in there, from a scan of my swatch:

so it’s as close to what it will look like as possible.

Now all I have to do is actually cast on while I’m watching the rest of these opening ceremonies. I’m also machine sewing the seams and planning to knit the sleeves in to save myself all that hand-sewing. If you want to keep up with my progress, I’m going to update the Ravelry Project Page daily.