Kathryn's Brain: February 2023

At the end of September 2020 (more than two years ago), I had the opportunity to meet up with Vivian Knits, one of my favorite people.

Vivian likes color, so we met at a store called Colorful Yarns on the southside of Denver.... and indeed, they were chock full of colorful yarns!

I was not looking for anything in particular, but after walking around the store a few times, this one started talking to me...

It said it wanted to be a pair of Denver Broncos socks, though it's not really the right colors... Hubba had been asking for a new pair of socks for a while. I kept telling him that he needed to wait until I made a pair for myself, which finally happened in September 2022.

Hubba is a Denver Broncos fan.... Actually, it's difficult to live in Colorado and not be a Denver Broncos fan. Even when they are not doing well they consume the local news. So I found it funny that this colorway was named Clown Fish. Apropos for the time, I thought.

Since then and the end of last season, the Bronco's have a new QB, Head Coach, most of the coaching staff, and Ownership. These are a lot of changes for one off-season, and the new Ownership was only finalized less than a week before the first pre-season game of 2022. So I think the colorway name is even more appropriate that I originally thought. ;-)

Pre-Season

Sunday, Aug 14 - Broncos (17) v Cowboys (7), Pre-Season: Win

So even though the Brown Socks were not quite complete, I started the toes of this project with the first Bronco's pre-season game... and the first pair is for me. Hubba will have to wait a bit longer. :-D

I am using the same pattern as the Brown Socks, but putting a rib on the top of the foot and around leg.

My intent is to work on this project only while I'm "watching" a Bronco game... and OMGosh, I love working with this yarn, which is from Artistic Yarn by Abi.

Saturday, Aug 20 - Broncos (15) v Bills (42), Pre-Season: Loss

I was at the Greeley Kennel Club Dog Show so I missed all but the last 10 football minutes of this game.

Saturday, Aug 27 - Broncos (23) v Vikings (13), Pre-Season, 7pm: Win

This was a late game. So I fell asleep sometime in the 3rd Quarter... by the way, football naps are top notch. ;-)

Regular Season

Monday, Sept 12 - Broncos (16) v Seahawks (17), 6:15pm: Loss

I intended to be at a Dog Show and therefore expected to miss most of this game. However, Wilma came into season ~1 month early so we stayed home.

Then our internet was out for over a week and we do not get ABC on our digital TV antenna. So as much as I wanted to watch this game (the first of the regular season, at our new QB's former team), we did not.

Sunday, Sept 18 - Broncos (16) v Texans (9), 2:25pm: Win

I intended to be at a Dog Show during this game as well, but for the reasons mentioned last week, we stayed home this week too.

This was the first home game of the season... and I nearly completed one full color repeat.

Sunday, Sept 25 - Broncos (11) v 49ers (10), 6:20pm: Win

Good defensive games are less fun to watch.. and both teams had very good defense.

I completed about half of a color repeat, stopping around half-time, because my hand and wrist were hurting.

The Monday morning news was consumed with the fact that the Bronco's are tied for first place in the AFC West. Yup, so they are very excited that after 3 games, they are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for First Place out of the four teams in the AFC West. smh

Or, in other words.... they are also tied with 6 teams for second place out of the entire conference (AFC) of 16 teams, after 3 games.

It doesn't mean much yet, but this is how it goes in the Denver News Market. ;-)

Sunday, Oct 2 - Broncos (23) v Raiders (32), 2:25pm: Loss

During this game, I finished foot #1 and began foot #2.

While this was an evenly matched game in the first half, the second half was not as much. It was an entertaining game to watch and the Broncos are no longer tied for first place in their division. What a difference one week makes. ;-)

Since I prefer to knit socks in tandem, I would really like to have a second set of US0 needles.

Knitting in tandem allows the socks to be completed at close to the same time, thereby reducing the opportunity for Second Sock Syndrome, as well as encouraging consistent gage. I don't have much issue with gauge in knitting anymore, but it's certainly still possible. ;-)

Also, all of my stitch holders are at a heavier gauge than US0 (2mm). So for now, the live stitches are being held with Feedbag String, my standard Life Line device.

Also, you can see that I did not exactly match the white on the toe, so the color repeats will be offset between the two socks... and I have decided that I don't care in this instance. :-)

I will confess though, that I did rewind the cake so that both socks started with a white toe, so I do (technically) care a little... and this is why one cake is larger than the other, because it's wound more loosely. ;-)

Thursday, Oct 6 - Broncos (9) v Colts (12), 6:15pm: Loss

This game was being broadcast on Amazon Prime, which we don't have. Apparently the local ABC Affiliate was also broadcasting on TV, but we don't get them via the digital antenna and it was not on their local streaming ap. So we were not able to watch.

Monday, Oct 17 - Broncos (16) v Chargers (19), 6:15pm: Loss

We also don't have ESPN, so we did not watch this game either.

Sunday, Oct 23 - Broncos (9) v Jets (16), 2:05pm: Loss

We had a friend visiting from Australia. So we introduced her to both American Football and American Thanksgiving. There was a fair amount of cooking and socializing, though I did complete about half of a color repeat during this game.

I also received the second set of needles that I ordered a few weeks ago. So now both socks are on needles and knitting in tandem will be easier moving forward.

At this point the Broncos are 2 (wins) and 5 (losses), which means the big deal made early in the season about them being tied for first place is a long memory. They are currently in last pace in their division and there is a lot of speculation about members of the coaching staff losing their jobs. Seriously, the apparent lack of time investment and actual team building for the long-term is ridiculous.

Sunday, Oct 30 - Broncos (21) v Jaguars (17), 7:30am: Win

This game was in London, hence the early-morning start. We don't have ESPN, and frankly we are typically doing farm chores at 7:30am, so we did not watch this game.

The speculation has subsided regarding coaching changes. Ah how fickle football fans and media are. sigh.

Sunday, Nov 13 - Broncos (10) v Titans (17), 11am: Loss

I was at a Dog Show, so I missed this game.

Current Standings:

3rd place of 4 teams in the AFC West
Tied with 2 other teams for 11th place out of 16 total teams in the AFC.

Sunday, Nov 20 - Broncos (16) v Raiders (22), 2:05pm: Loss, in OT

I found a local repeater(?) via Rabbitears.info so we could watch this game on broadcast TV.

Progress was slow because, as usual, I was tired. But the game went into overtime, so I did finish one full color repeat.

I expect to finish the second foot next time and possibly begin working on the Gusset Increases.

Sunday, Nov 27 - Broncos (10) v Panthers (23), 11am: Loss

Thanksgiving weekend is a time for food and relaxation, along with a few projects and yoga classes. It was a lovely weekend with beautiful weather.

We did watch some of this game too. So just shy of one color repeat was completed.

I have about 1 inch remaining on the second foot and am thinking about adding a few rows to the first foot before beginning the gusset increases.

Sunday, Dec 4 - Broncos (9) v Ravens (10), 11am: Loss

I was finishing up packing for our AKC National Championship trip, so it was nice to sit down and knit for a few hours.

I finished the foot for sock #2 and began the gusset increases on the first sock. I decided not to add any rows to the first sock.

Also this weekend, they named Deion Sanders as the new Headcoach for the CU Buffalos Football Team. While I'm sure he's a good coach, the rhetoric is ridiculous. They're saying that because of this one hire, the team is going to go from 1-11 to exceptional, instantly. smh.

I seriously don't understand how people who are supposed to be in the business of building teams don't seem to understand the basic foundational principles of team building.

While culture starts at the top, and the leader is important, that alone only makes a group. Hopefully there are things going on that are not being reported.

Sunday, Dec 11 - Broncos (28) v Chiefs (34), 2:05pm MT (4:05pm ET): Loss

Wilma and I have been travelling to the AKC National Championship Dog Show over the last several days. Today was our rest day before the competitions begin, so we intended to watch some of this game, but it was not shown in the Orlando market. :-/

Sunday, Dec 18 - Broncos (24) v Cardinals (15), 2:05pm MT (4:05pm ET): Win

Wilma and I competed in the AKC National Championship Dog Show today and were back at the hotel in time to watch this game, which was also not shown in the Orlando market. :-/

Sunday, Dec 25 - Broncos (14) v Rams (51), 2:30pm: Loss

It's certainly a rough year to be a Bronco fan... they are currently 4 and 11... a long way from the rhetoric of the first few weeks... and today's loss was brutal. But Football is just a game and today is Christmas as well as the 7th day of Hanukkah.

I made progress on the Gusset Increases for the first sock, which are now about 2/3 complete.

It's clear the Broncos aren't going to the Post-Season, so they fired the Head Coach as well as a few other members of the coaching staff the next day.... Merry Christmas... :-/ It's a shame. I liked this coach, and I don't think they set him up for success.

Sunday, Jan 1 - Broncos (24) v Chiefs (27), 11am: Loss

As of today, the Broncos have lost 15 straight games to the Chiefs. Ouch.

I finished Hubba's Very Berry Socks on New Year's Eve (the day before this game), bringing me down to two active projects. WooHoo! So instead of casting on the next in my queue, I decided that I would work on this project if I'm not able to work on the Save Our Sheep Sweater. Therefore, as of yesterday, Clown Fish progress includes non-football-watching knitting.

I completed the gusset increases for the first sock, and started the increases on the second sock.

Damar Hamlin was injured on Monday night...

Sunday, Jan 8 - Broncos (31) v Chargers (28), 2:25pm: Win

Over the last week, I worked on these socks nearly every day. As such, there is a lot of progress to share. I finished both the second set of increases and the first heel. The second heel is now in progress.

I did start a 3rd active project yesterday, so these socks will go back to being 2nd priority.

This is the end of the Regular Season, and the end of the Bronco's run. We did not watch this game due to shifting to our temporary housing in order to make room for our remodel.

The Broncos finished the season at 5 Wins and 12 Losses. They are last in their division and 13 of 16 in the Conference (AFC).

Post Season

Wild Card Rounds: Jan 14-16 (Sat, Sun, Mon):

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)
Saturday, January 14	Chargers vs Jaguars	4:30 PM
Saturday, January 14	Seahawks vs 49ers	8:15 PM
Sunday, January 15	Dolphins vs Bills	1:00 PM
Sunday, January 15	Giants vs Vikings	4:30 PM
Sunday, January 15	Ravens vs Bengals	8:15 PM
Monday, January 16	Cowboys vs Buccaneers	8:15 PM

I'm definitely not paying much attention to football now, although we did "watch" and nap to parts of a couple of these games. In our temporary housing we only have access to Internet TV, not local/broadcast TV. So we will have to see what we will be able to view and how that works with the other things we're doing.

It's nice to see the Buffalo Bills advancing. I think they are the sentimental favorite now... especially since Damar Hamlin has been released from the Hospital.

I finished the second heel and began work on the first leg. I feel there is a reasonable chance that these will be completed by the end of the Super Bowl.

Also these photos have me thinking that a pair of sock blockers might be a tool to add to my To Acquire List.

Divisional Playoffs: Jan 21-22 (Sat, Sun):

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)
Saturday, January 21	Jaguars vs Chiefs	4:30 PM
Saturday, January 21	Giants vs Eagles	8:15 PM
Sunday, January 22	Bengals vs Bills	3:00 PM
Sunday, January 22	Cowboys vs 49ers	6:30 PM

Some more parts of games "watched" and napped to. Lovely to see Damar Hamlin watching the Bills in person... pretty incredible to recognize what immediate intervention by exceptional, knowledgeable people can do.

I think I have about one more day of football knitting to finish the first sock. Then about three to finish the second.

Conference Championships, Sunday, January 29, 3:05p ET CBS, 6:30pm ET Fox:

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)
Sunday, January 29	49ers vs Eagles	3:05 PM
Sunday, January 29	Bengals vs Chiefs	6:30 PM

Hubba and I got our Covid Boosters yesterday, so we planned to not feel well this weekend. It tends to hit me harder than him. On top of that, the weather was quite cold. So I finished the urgent 3rd Active Project and these socks are back to getting attention outside of football "watching."

I finished the first leg and started working on the second.

I have not bound off yet, since I want to ensure both legs are the same length before I do.

Pro Bowl (Games), AFC vs NFC, Sunday, Feb 5, 3:00p ET:

Apparently the Pro Bowl is no longer just one silly game where no one tries very hard. There are strong-man games, something like a NBA Dunk Competition for Receivers, and an extremely high-scoring Flag Football game. I guess this is a good change. It looked like people were having fun.

Wilma and I played Show Dog at a Fun Match, where she received an Adult Working Group 2. So we did miss most of the Pro Bowl Games.

I have been working on these socks a little each day this week... I finished the second leg during the week and bound off the first sock during the later portion of the Pro Bowl Games. All that's left is to bind off the second sock and then weave in the ends.

As of this week, the Broncos have a new Head Coach and apparently an entirely new coaching staff too. As I mentioned before, I don't hold a lot of expectations for next season, but we shall see.

For the record, I missed it over the summer, but CSU also got a new Head Coach.

Super Bowl, Sunday, Feb 12, 6:30p ET:

Both socks are now bound off and the ends have been woven in.

I finished them early in the week, so I was able to wear them during the Super Bowl. :-) Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs for eking out a close game over the Philadelphia Eagles.

There is lots of space in the toe box, which I love!

At this moment of writing, I have ONE active project. My SOS Sweater. WooHoo!!

(Though, I have started swatching the next two projects in my queue.)

I do think that the next time I work with self-striping yarn, I will endeavor to start each sock at the same place in the colorway. As I said earlier, I decided that I don't care that these don't match exactly, but it would be easier to ensure size-sameness if they did.

This yarn is from Artistic Yarns by Abi and I love(!) working with it. It has excellent stretch and bounce. I definitely would like to add some more of her colorways to my stash.

This has been a fun project. I may do another next year.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

At the time I decided to make this hat, I had worked my way down to two active projects from six.

I was looking forward to finishing both of them (SOS and Clown Fish) and begin working on a pair of Mitts and another Sweater that has been in my queue for quite some time, as well as a third project that recently garnered a high level in my queue... so high, that I bought new yarn for it. lol

Then a few days later, in early January, we learned a dear friend of ours was in the hospital with what turned out to be a brain tumor.

Her daughter had just left for graduate school, so we knew we would be doing all we could to help with what ever needed to be done here.

I also knew that I would make her a hat.

So on the next morning, after ruminating on it overnight, I got a picture in my head of what the project would be.

So while we were in the process of moving out in order to begin our Major Remodeling Project and most of my stash had already been packed away, I had kept my sock yarns accessible for the Sock Madness Tournament that I've since decided to not participate in this year.

I chose this autumn-colored yarn.

I expect that I'll use less than one full skein, but I caked both since I had the swift and ball winder out.

Then began swatching with US1. Since I had just made a pair of socks with a similar gauge yarn, my fabric was spot on.

The pattern I chose is Principessa by Woolly Wormhead. I've been wanting to make one of their patterns for quite some time and bought this one early last year (2022). I am planning to make the slouch version.

The pattern is designed for US6 and heavier gauge yarn than I am using, so understanding how my gauge affects the adjustments I need to make is important.... especially since the hat is intended to be used and therefore should fit comfortably. :-)

In looking thru some of the other projects completed for this pattern, I like that this maker made the brim long-enough to fold over.... I may do this, though likely not as long.

Therefore the plan is the Slouchy version with a foldable brim. US1 needles yielding a gauge of 29 stitches/4 inches and 11 pattern repeats for a 22 inch head. I generally prefer that the number of repeats be odd, so 11 makes me happy. :-)

After making progress on the brim and starting to figure out where the design element repeat occurs so I could make it taller, I realized that there is a set of increases after the brim is complete... and that my cast-on number is incompatible.

I'm a little frustrated with myself for not reading the pattern more thoroughly before I started. sigh.

After trying a few scenarios (with a tired brain), I decided to frog this and begin with a different pattern. I will definitely make Principessa in the future, possibly for myself. ;-)

Until next time, happy Fiber Arts Friday.