About
Finished Objects
Patterns
Reading List
olympic dreams
Posted on | February 10, 2010 | 20 Comments
Since I started knitting four years ago and began reading knit blogs, I’ve looked forward to the next winter Olympics so I could participate. It sounds like so much fun – the challenge of selecting a project and race to finish, going for the gold, and all the while watching winter Olympic sports – which I love! It makes me feel athletic just seeing those skiers and skaters in action! Nevermind that I’m sitting on the couch in pajamas.
Last month I even decided on a project and ordered the yarn for it.
Graphic Hoodie by Veronik Avery in Knitting Classic Style. The pattern calls for Dale’s Heilo, which at $5.60/ball, the 19 balls needed put that yarn right out of my budget. Lucky for me, Knit Picks’ Telemark is virtually identical in weight and only $1.99/ball.
The box of yarn sat on my desk, unopened, until yesterday. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to compete, since the one resolution I made this year was not to knit on a deadline. But, I usually throw my resolutions out of the window by February, so why should this be any different?!?
In order to compete with a clear conscious, I need to finish a couple of things up first.
The seaming on my 1824 Blouson is finished! People are not kidding when they say the finishing is a bitch. The knitting was completed in 8 days – the pleats, cuffs and seaming took another 10. Of course, it wasn’t the only thing I worked on during that time, but still. If I say so myself, it’s pretty cute on! I’m weaving in the ends tonight and planning to wear it tomorrow.
One of my distractions was this silk/camel blend. It’s luscious. I’ve spun 1 oz. and have 1 oz. to go – it’ll be my “need a break” project during the Olympics.
Now I just need to finish my BIL’s second Xmas sock (started it yesterday!) and knit a gauge swatch for the Graphic Hoodie and I’ll be ready for the Opening Ceremonies! In, um, two days. Yes, I’m praying for a snowstorm!
Are you competing? If so, what’re you making?
Comments
20 Responses to “olympic dreams”
Simple2Column Layout is a Wordpress Theme crafted by Tad Hunt | Email: "tad (AT) thaddeushunt (DOT) com".
February 10th, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
I’m looking forward to following along in your Olympic goal! I don’t seem to knit anymore, so I’m not playing.
LoveLOVELove the spinning!
February 10th, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
Wow! Good luck…it’s going to be a stunning sweater and more than worthy of a Gold Medal. I’ve decided to sit on the sidelines and be a good cheerleader.
February 10th, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
Holy jeebus! A whole colorwork sweater in two weeks? Are you a stay at home mom? Woman, I give you props for brass, that’s for sure. And I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way. That’s not tinnitis, that’s my thin cheering echoing in your ears, all the way from NY!
Me lurves the spinning. Mmm… red, silky goodness.
Oh, and don’t you just love Knit Picks? Way to make knitting affordable for normal folks. I can’t even imagine what that sweater would have cost in MY size!
February 10th, 2010 @ 2:23 pm
That’s a pretty sweater. I’m finishing my Bside for Ravelympics (in the WIP category), and that’s my goal for Knitting Olympics too. I actually have Monday off for the first time in my adult life so I will be knitting like crazy!
February 10th, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
No competition for me. I wasn’t feeling the knit-pressure groove these days. Although I am knitting and I’m sure I’ll knit while I watch some of the Olympics. Just… ya know… on my schedule. :)
February 10th, 2010 @ 3:41 pm
I don’t think I’m going to join in this year. For the first knitting olymics, I designed and knitted a sweater, and actually FINISHED it, and claimed my gold medal.
But I don’t have quite the knitting mojo I had back then. It all seems just like too much trouble now.
Good luck with your sweater!
February 10th, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
That is one ambitious project. *whew* I’m going to join the WIP completion group. Finish Grant Park pullover.
February 10th, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
I’m crazy. I have a pair of socks, a shawl from handspun and I’m going to see how much spinning I can get done on some merino/yak. So that’s Sock Hockey, Short Track Shawl and Flying Camel Spin.
Love your camel!
February 10th, 2010 @ 7:04 pm
Very nice sweater! I’ll be completing a WIP- Mondo Cable Pulli. I’ve ripped it more times than I care to tell. I’ll be on the right track finally for opening ceremonies.
February 10th, 2010 @ 7:51 pm
Love that sweater! I’m anxious to see how it turns out, and what you think of the Telemark.
February 10th, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
Oooh…you’re brave! It’ll be gorgeous, though.
Love the 1824!
February 10th, 2010 @ 10:51 pm
Is there a UFO category? Carrie’s trying to get me to fix Orangina – take it apart, rip back a few inches of lace and regraft it – and I should (before it’s too warm to wear it). And, uh, I just might have yarn sitting around here that I could use for a Featherweight Cardigan. I think I’m in.
February 11th, 2010 @ 6:20 am
I’ll be pulling for you to win your goal! Can’t decide if I’ll compete or not… can’t wait to see your beautiful new sweater after the olympics!
February 11th, 2010 @ 7:26 am
I’m competing and will be knitting a pair of socks… a just over two weeks. Yikes!
February 11th, 2010 @ 7:49 am
Oooh! I love what you’ve knitted and I love what you’re about to knit but why oh why did you share a link to that gorgeous wool? And so reasonably priced, too!
I will not start another project…I will not start another project…I will not…you get the idea.
February 11th, 2010 @ 10:31 am
I’ll be cheering you on, that’s a gorgeous sweater. My focus is too scattered right now to knit or spin to a deadline.
February 11th, 2010 @ 5:22 pm
It looks like you’ll have a lot of fun! After making my Lismore, I don’t know that I could stand starting another stranded colorwork project right now so I’m really going to enjoy watching you make yours.
February 11th, 2010 @ 7:43 pm
I’m doing the Ravolmypics too! Good luck!
February 12th, 2010 @ 10:56 am
Cute sweater! Go for the gold!
As for me, no olympic project. I thought about starting a sweater, but I just want to spin and spin instead :-)
February 14th, 2010 @ 7:10 pm
Can I just say, Holy Crap! First, that’s a gorgeous sweater that somehow I’ve missed up to this point. Second, I’m so very impressed that you are tackling such an ambitious project…you are definitely taking the challenge seriously and I think it’s great! Can’t wait to see the finished project on this one…it will be gorgeous I’m sure! Good luck!