Knitting Olympics-decision made

The decision has been made. I am going to knit Zarah by Elsebeth Lavold (from her book #3 The Embraceable You Collection). The pattern calls for her Angora-unfortunately I don't keep this in the store. There is no way for me to get it before Friday so I am going to use Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk (80% alpaca, 20% silk) in chocolate brown. I have been itching to knit with this yarn for a long time so it might be a blessing in disguise.
I am actually going to do a swatch before knitting this-doesn't happen often. Or should that read never? We are allowed to swatch but can't cast on until 2pm on Friday. I then have 16 days to get this knit and sewn together. This is going to be the big challenge.

I did get lots of knitting done yesterday during that awful Super Bowl. I worked on my Manos poncho-the purple part is now complete to the neck. I am getting on my soap box now-sorry. The game started with a terrible National Anthem, the game was boring and the Rolling Stones sucked. Mick kept leaving words out and it just sounded like loud noise. I have seen them in concert and it was nothing like that. I called my dad to see if he watched the half time and he said 'They suck. Do you actually call that music?' Can't they get someone to do halftime that sounds good and everyone likes? What about Billy Joel or Elton John? They don't offend anyone and everyone knows their songs. I am now off my soap box.