I decided that the Renny sweater deserved a big official and fun finish under the Burled Arch without me rushing to get it done or setting the detailed after-knitting finishing touches aside until after this year's race. I've entered this year as a WIP (work in progress) Iknitarod entry.
The Iditarod is not following a normal route either. The 2021 race will be an "out and back" loop they are calling the Gold Loop in an effort to keep the more remote checkpoints safer from COVID exposure. By turning around at Iditarod (the old town) the race is "only" going to be 852 miles rather than the usual around 1000. Whether that affects the times remains to be seen.
I think the amount of work I have left on the Renny sweater should carry me to about that halfway point. Once I'm headed back, I have something fun planned for the second half of my race. I'll post more about that later.
If you remember last year's ravatar, you'll notice the similarity to this year...with a couple of changes. Hank and Comby, no longer with us, are now the bright star. Possum has taken Comby's place, but also now stands close to Salt...as she would. I changed the sweater I'm wearing to the FINISHED Renny sweater and the light gray scarf and dark gray mittens are representative of her light and dark gray wool that was dyed to make all the colors.
I was also asked to design the Iknitarod's group Ravatar this year and I am pretty happy with how it turned out. It's a little busy, but hopefully the design reflects the unusual course route and the musher's red jacket is a nod to one of my pretty much everyone's favorite musher, Aliy Zirkle, who has announced that this will be her last race.
I had originally planned to use this as my personal Ravatar this year, maybe changing out the dogs to match Kate, Salt and Weaslie, but once I decided to continue on with last year's project I wanted to use last year's graphic as well. I enjoy making these little "cartoons".
Mushing on!
