“Super Peacock” – Super Scarf #46

Now that the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl is behind us, I have one last Super Scarf to discuss – #46.

It went to NBC sportscaster, Bob Costas.  I was asked if I could come up with an NBC-themed Super Scarf.

(Above photo was taken before the second blocking.)

I knit the scarf from corner to corner - increasing the row length until I achieved the scarf width I wanted.  When I got to the right width, I knit italicized ‘NBC‘ monograms into the scarf over its length. There are five monograms on each side of the length and none around the back of the neck.  I needed some transition space so I could reverse the knitting chart and have the ‘NBC’ turn our right-reading when worn about the neck.

Since I was allowed to use more than the official Super Scarf Project colors for this scarf, I knit the NBC logo, complete with the well-known peacock.  To add a bit of whimsy, I knit a little Super Scarf for the peacock to wear.  The peacock’s scarf has 46 stripes on it for Super Bowl XLVI (46).

 

In order to make the peacock’s scarf to the right proportion, I separated the plies in the blue and white wool I was already using in the larger scarf, used two plies instead of the original four, then went down to size #1(US) needles.

To balance out the NBC logo, I reserved space on the opposite end of the scarf for placement of the official Super Bowl XLVI patch . . . and some cute little footballs.

For the curious, I included a comment card with the scarf, explaining the design and including my email address, per the form.  Mr. Costas arrived in Indianapolis well before the Super Bowl and his thank-you email to me arrived shortly after he was given the Super Scarf.

This scarf was fun to make.  I liked the diagonal construction and the challenge I gave myself with the monograms.  The peacock as you see it in the above photo was not how I originally wanted to make it.  I know how to knit more feathery-looking feathers and I started with those.  Though they were fun, they didn’t look dignified enough to go with the monogram, so I scratched them and began again.  That’s just part of knitting.  I love the work of it, the math of it, the trial and error, the quiet time.  Something eventually works.

 

I Lost Something at Lucas Oil Stadium

I’m rather shy and conservative as a general rule.  I like to listen to what goes on around me and take most things in without the need to . . . be outspoken.

It all goes out the window when I’m watching football, however.  I don’t yell obnoxious things, but I definitely stand up and cheer.

Case in point: 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI.  Of course I had a vested interest in the festivities.  The blue and white Super Scarves were everywhere.  Most of the teams that I wanted to see at the game had been knocked out, and other teams I would have liked to see . . . um never got off the ground this season.  But I chose a team to back during the game and that’s what I did.

The team I chose to root for won the game Sunday, but my favorite yelling moment in the stadium was when Mario Manningham went downfield for what ended up being a 38-yard gain ending at the 50-yard line.  He was covered by Sterling Moore and Patrick Chung at the sideline, but managed to keep both feet in bounds.

The Patriots challeneged the catch and the fans in the stadium glued their/our eyes to the jumbo screens for the replay.  I was sitting in a section that had a fun mix of Giants fans and Patriots fans.  When the replay came onto the screen, it was in slow-motion and we Giants fans stood and counted: 

“ONE . . . TWO . . . It’s GOOD!!!!!”

We were counting his footsteps inbounds and both feet were legal. 

“YEA!!!”

We roared and roared.  We didn’t quiet down until the head game official came onto the field to announce the results of the review.  The play was upheld.  We all roared again.

I LOVED it.  Just like at home when I watch football but with 68,000 people yelling with me.  Okay, maybe half of those folks weren’t cheering for Manningham, but it was a fun moment in the stands.

To the folks who have to clean up Lucas Oil Stadium:  I lost my voice there.  If you find it, would you return it to me?  Send it UPS.  I suppose that would make it a snail mail voice mail. 

Gram’s going to be kinda quiet for a few days.