1. I finished the yoke on the Wild Apple and am now on to the miles and miles of mindless stockinette. It's a nice change, but I miss the colours already. 
At least I have the yoke to pet and admire as I go.
2. I keep forgetting to tell you that I'm signing at Madrona in Tacoma this Friday from 5-6 in the Pavillion Rotunda at the Hotel Murano (thats where the conference is). There's an awesome marketplace that's open to the public too, so if you're in the neighbourhood, please stop by and say hello. I'm not sure who's selling my books in the marketplace, so I think it's BYOB. (Bring your own books.)
3. David, who is as clever as he is handsome, is getting together a sign-up sheet for the Knitting Olympics that we'll put up later. I'm grateful for his help, and this is almost enough to have me forgive him for the thong he knit me a few years ago. (Long story.) When we put it up this evening, you'll be able to add your name, project and link and be on the official knitting athletes list. David's just putting the last little polish on it, it shall arrive here shortly, please do visit back to add yourself. The rules (such as they are) and the button (such as it is) will go up the too.
The sweater is glorious. I can hardly wait to sign up for the olympics!
Posted by: SockPixie at February 10, 2010 5:34 PMLove the colors. Just steeked my first cardi - no stress there. (Bountiful Bohus). Can't wait for the Olly site. Steph ;-}
Posted by: Steph at February 10, 2010 5:40 PMGreat news!! Can't wait! As if my friends don't think I'm weird enough for being a knitter/spinner, the Knitting Olympics puts me over the edge in their eyes...I love to keep 'em guessing!
Posted by: Lisathemom at February 10, 2010 5:41 PMWild apple is gorgeous. I may not be able to figure skate but I can knit. I'll sign up for the Olympics.
Posted by: Diane in IN at February 10, 2010 5:46 PMI'm in project withdrawal...nothing on the sticks at the moment and its still 2 days until I can start my stole. Is it Friday yet???
Posted by: LorieH at February 10, 2010 5:49 PMIt looks beautiful!
Posted by: Georgia at February 10, 2010 5:52 PMAfter just getting my feet wet with color work, when ever I am *not* doing it, I miss it!
Posted by: Melynda at February 10, 2010 5:55 PMHave a great time at Madrona! Your sweater is looking lovely :-)
Posted by: Tracy at February 10, 2010 5:56 PMDear Steph, I've loved your books and have enjoyed your writing for about 2 years now. My mom came from Toronto & I think she would have loved reading your stories & seeing all the projects you've completed. I think I'll try to join you in your challenge because mom & I used to love watching the Olympics together. I'm not a very fast knitter so I've decided to try a pair of socks from the toe up. Never done that before so it'll be a challenge for me. I'm going to try Cat Bordhi's Spring Thaw Socks so it'll be a double challenge--toe up and Judy's Magic Cast on; and with the blizzard going on outside right now Spring Thaw has a certain irony and appeal. Wish me luck. Karen
Posted by: Karen at February 10, 2010 5:56 PMThat is beautiful. In fact, it's so comely I may just leave this screen up on my computer for a while, since it graces the room.
Thong?
Posted by: Ellie at February 10, 2010 6:00 PMMy plan is to knit an "as much yarn as I have" diagonal square baby blanket out of stashed cotton yarn. This is very ambitious for me! And I'm going to be out at the symphony on Opening Night and I'll have to watch it the next morning!
Posted by: Sarah TX at February 10, 2010 6:05 PMThat is the loveliest yoke I've ever seen. Can we hear the thong story? ;)
Posted by: Cinnamon at February 10, 2010 6:07 PMI was wondering if it might be possible to have a second event for the Knitting Olympics? I have a major project that I have just been having trouble finding the motivation to work on. It's already started, but I'd like to try to finish by the time the Olympics are over. I wonder if anyone else might be interested in this as well?
Posted by: Ewesual Thing at February 10, 2010 6:07 PMWhen I first read this, I thought that you would be "singing" at Madrona...now that would be interesting, eh?
Posted by: Katy (knitterpated) at February 10, 2010 6:10 PMYour putting your thong up, and we'll be able to sign it, and david is polishing it up/ no, no I must have read that wrong...lol
Posted by: cedar at February 10, 2010 6:21 PMActually, I have to admit I thought you would be singing too. Hee hee
Will you? Along with the signing? Hope someone records it!
Long live David...are we going to be getting a gratuitous kilt shot to inspire us further? Just askin'.
Can't wait to sign up! I'm in my final moments of training...
You're putting up the thong? O.o
Posted by: Owlchick at February 10, 2010 6:27 PMI kept reading that you were "singing" at the bookstore and that didn't make any sense at all.
The bohus looks amazing. I'm incredibly impressed.
Posted by: Virginia at February 10, 2010 6:33 PMI thought you said "singing"!
Posted by: Sara at February 10, 2010 6:38 PMWill this year's medal have a thong-clad Olympian? Rawwwwrrr!
@cedar -- lol. I was wondering if it was the list or the thong that was going to be put up soon!
Posted by: Kathy at February 10, 2010 6:39 PMOh, and since my last comment was rather a chocolate cake-type comment....
Beautiful sweater! I don't know if I will ever be able to knit a thing of such beauty (and difficulty).
Posted by: Kathy at February 10, 2010 6:40 PMWOW! I am a fairly new knitter and can only knit socks. After reading your books and finding your blog, I want to do it all!! I plan to knit socks and listen to the olympics, I cannot knit and look up at the same time! Do you have a pattern for the thong... I'm just sayin'...
Posted by: Susan at February 10, 2010 6:40 PMI'm a bit curious about the thong story, too, I must admit. Hehe. I'm looking forward to casting on for the Olympics... What's the bet my kids are too distracting to let me do it for 6 hours!?
How do people knit when they have little kids? I'm working under the assumption that it's ok to neglect them a little if you are making things FOR them.
Have fun meeting and signing later. The sweater is looking beautiful.
Posted by: Tam at February 10, 2010 6:43 PMSweater lovely! Can't wait for the Olympics!!!
Posted by: Heather at February 10, 2010 6:50 PMyour sweater is just gorgeous!
Posted by: Michelle at February 10, 2010 6:52 PMBeautiful Bohus. *Drool* Absolutely gorgeous. (And I loved the shots the other day that also showed the inside.) One day I will feel ready to tackle something like that. For now, the knitting Olympics! Yay! It will be my first stranded knitting project ever. One step closer to a Bohus of my own one day. For now I will just admire yours and how fast you are making progress! Amazing~
Posted by: Kristi at February 10, 2010 6:57 PMAll hail David! Hope you are enjoying your visit here. Too bad the weather returned to "normal". 8-)
Sorry I will miss you on Friday as we have a previous commitment up on Whidbey Island.
Posted by: Earlene at February 10, 2010 6:57 PMLove the wild apples! Can't wait for the signups to go up. Hooray for David!!
Posted by: Yvonne at February 10, 2010 6:58 PMWow, beautiful knitting! And, I have to tell you that at first glance, I read "singing" instead of "signing" and I was all jealous thinking that along with your knitting and writing talents you could sing too. Heh.
Posted by: Tammy at February 10, 2010 7:16 PMDavid is posting your thong? ...oh. sorry. I am just jealous of your Bohus.
I also read signing as singing. I know for a fact you sing better than I do. No, I have never heard you sing.
Posted by: Lucia at February 10, 2010 7:24 PMThong? Wha????? :)
I can't wait for the Knitting Olympics!
Posted by: Claire at February 10, 2010 7:24 PMThought that said you would be singing at Madrona. Signing makes much more sense.
Posted by: Mama Urchin at February 10, 2010 7:26 PMThey're all excited about the thong story -- what would they do if you mentioned that David (almost) always wears a kilt???
Posted by: janna at February 10, 2010 7:28 PMWhen I read it the first time, I thought you were siNGing in Madrona. I need to have my eyes checked. Though I don't seem to be the only one...
Posted by: Nathalie at February 10, 2010 7:31 PMOkay - so along with our Olympics Project, we all need to knit and wear an Olympic thong, right? I'm in!
Posted by: mrslaceknitter at February 10, 2010 7:37 PMI'm just finishing my pre-Olympic sock sprint, to get some charity socks out of the way. And I hope to have decided on my real Olympic project by Friday evening! Those Ravelympics are way too complicated for me; I'm sticking with you!
Posted by: Mary de B at February 10, 2010 7:42 PMYou are so funny!
Looking forward to the knitting Olympics. I finished only half a garment in the first Olympics, hopefully this time I will finish.
From Southeastern WI
Posted by: Janice at February 10, 2010 7:44 PMTease.
Posted by: Presbytera at February 10, 2010 7:54 PMuh oh dude, yer gonna owe the itchythong guy? I hate to think what little prize u'll have to endure for the assistance...BTW, wild apples r gorgeous!
Posted by: Nancy at February 10, 2010 7:59 PMOh, I wish I could be there! Why on earth did I ever leave Seattle? Because I did not knit, and therefore did not realize what a wonderland of fiber and knitting authors it was. Have a good time!
Posted by: Deb at February 10, 2010 8:00 PMthong??? knitted? itchy!
Posted by: Lynn at February 10, 2010 8:06 PMI'm counting down the minutes until I can cast on my olympic project.
Ewesual Thing @ 6:07: I'm in the same boat, hoping to finish all my languishing WIP's (eek, one of them is a christmas gift). I checked the sign up list from the last time, and it seemed several people did that, so I think it's ok. As long as we challenge ourselves, right?
I may try and be a biathlete and cast on a small project as well. Good luck to all of us!
Posted by: Laura at February 10, 2010 8:08 PMOh I have been waiting for the sign up!!!!!!
Posted by: Kimberly at February 10, 2010 8:19 PMI was a novice knitter 4 years ago and didn't compete. I've been training hard and I'm going for the gold; I have the Green EZ Cardigan kit and I think that will do nicely. (Also have a Bohus kit, but don't seriously think I can complete that in 17 days.) Go Team!
I've tried to comment on the Olympic entry, but it gives an error. Anyways, I'm glad to be signed up and am keen to get going! Thanks for doing this!
Posted by: Mary de B at February 10, 2010 9:10 PMI signed up. I'm trying this to see if it will let me post If not, I'd say your blog site has a problem. I'm not tech savvy enough to know what the problem might be. Cheers and red wine, Hazel.
Posted by: Hazel Smith at February 10, 2010 10:13 PMIs this working? I keep getting an error message. However, I was able to sign up.
Posted by: Hazel Smith at February 10, 2010 10:17 PMI think we need to hear this knitted thong story. Please?
Posted by: Avedaggio at February 10, 2010 10:29 PMwoo to the hoo! Can't wait to start my Olympic project! it involves kidsilk haze.
Not sure if you'll be at Madrona tomorrow (Thursday) but if a VERY pregnant (9 months) woman shyly approaches you asking you to sign something, I hope you won't turn her away. I'm taking a risk heading to Tacoma for a Thursday morning class as it is, and know I won't be able to come back on Friday. Hope to see you there!
Posted by: Diana at February 11, 2010 1:13 AMOh my! If I finished that sweater (Wild Apples) I'd block it and set it neatly under glass in a shadow box and mount it on the wall. What a work of art!
Posted by: Mommabaush at February 11, 2010 6:44 AMeheh, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought you were "singing" at Madrona.
And... I remember the thong. It was, uhm, lovely and, I'm sure, not itchy at all.
I had to laugh -- I read that as you "singing" at Madrona. I was very impressed with your range of skills :)
Posted by: Jocelyn at February 11, 2010 1:22 PMRemember to decrease to accent your small waist. Can't wait to see it finished. Will it have to step aside for Whistler? First you inspire me to knit socks, then this...will it never end?! ;)
Posted by: Leta at February 11, 2010 3:11 PMpetting the yoke....hehehe
(does seem like good reinforcement, tho...)
I saw you at Madrona today but didn't have the heart to bother you for a book signing, especially since it was in the bathroom - some things are sacred; and I was timing a contraction!! It was around 10am in the Pavilion. Hope you have a good time this weekend.
Posted by: Diana at February 11, 2010 8:52 PM I too, thought you said singing...and thought (although I might be wrong) "This cannot be a good thing."
love the yoke.......
Beautiful, beautiful Wild Apple. Maybe someday I will achieve your knitterly experience. Maybe.
Posted by: Carla at February 12, 2010 5:35 PM