The Pre Slippers

Back in December, I knit Hubby an item at his special request. Slippers in Prefontaine signature Oregon colors. I made them and then overfelted them just a touch. They probably would have fit Hubby, but this unfortunate circumstance coincided with the very fortunate 30th birthday of my friend Chrisie. Hubby, being the amazing man that he is, was happy to repurpose his prized slippers as a gift to Chrisie, a burgeoning running star.

Pattern: Fiber Trends Felt Clogs [Rav Link]
Source: FiberTrends AC-33
Materials: Cascade 220 baby!
Amount: 2 skeins each color
Needles: US 13
Started: December, 2008
Finished: December, 2008

The story of Chrisie's birthday in a nutshell:

Chrisie was less than amped about turning 30 and I found out that she had no plans for the big day. This would not do.

• December 5th: Co-conspired with our bestie Pete to fly from Arkansas to join me in Pittsburgh for Chrisie festivities. We bought plane tickets.
• December 12th: I was supposed to fly to Pittsburgh. Instead, I got a migraine and ended up puking at work. Awesome. There was no way I was going to survive a flight. Hubby was amazing. Came all the way downtown to pick me up, took me home and called the airline in time to reschedule my flight.
• December 13th: Flew to Pittsburgh: Land of Chrisie. Finest city in the land. Laissez les bons temps rouler:

Yuengling for all!

Catnip mustaches for Oedipuss:

I got Oedipuss' at the Bazaar Bizarre, but you can get one here.

• December 14th: Birthday!! We had a rockin' birthday at Chrisie's parents house. Her parents were so gratious to me and Pete. I absolutely gorged myself on Sir Pizza and to be honest, I still didn't get enough. We watched the Steelers beat the Ravens. It was an awesome day. And while Chrisie may have been entering a new decade, she was still her same old self:
  

Before we left Chrisie's to go to her parents house
she pulled out her mom's old Bleier jersey saying, "It's a big game today."

Was she talking about the Steelers game or turning 30? I'm not sure and I don't think I want to know her answer. I love the idea of her donning her mom's old Bleier jersey on a day when she and her team needed support.

A slight detour

When the whole needle/gauge debacle of a week or so ago went down I knew I needed to cast on something quick. I've had some Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool hanging out since Kim had a sale in December. I've had it ear marked for a Marilyn's Not So Shrunken Cardigan. I cast on some time last week and I'm in the home stretch of the body.

I'm not sure how many sweaters I've knit for myself at this point (1-2-3-4... maybe 4?), but I'm learning a few things about fit. I measure a 36" bust, but knitting a 36 gives me too much ease. I'm knitting this according to the 34" instructions and I think we're gonna be in good shape with this one. Silky wool is surprisingly yummy when knit up. It's so soft. I'm disappointed in myself for not giving it a fair turn earlier. This cardigan has a crochet finish that I'm a little hesitant about. I haven't fully read the instructions, but I may need to consult.

So, I'm on a slight detour from the sweater for my dad. Not sure how to proceed. Finish mine or start his?

Side Note:

I went to an indoor track meet last night. Hubby took exactly 18 million pics of this kid:

Galen Rupp. Hubby calls him lil' Pre. Literally 18 million blurry pics.


He kicked ass during this race, but lost it in the last seconds.

We also saw local legend and Olympic bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan, who also lost her race in the last seconds.

I went prepared with knitting. It's not that I don't enjoy a good track meet, but pole vault is really the only event I can understand. There's no good times or bad. You either make it or you don't. So, I watched and almost knit an entire baby hat: