Stephanie from Yarn Harlot, the organizer and brains behind the Knitting Olympics, posted the Gold Medal up for the winners to post on their blogs.  The accomplishment of the many knitters is truly amazing.  Reading “The Podium,” Stephanie’s posting today really tells it all.

For those of us who didn’t finish, for whatever reason, Stephanie left a special message.  I am quoting her here.

^{Finally, for my chosen knitters, those who did not finish…
My deepest thanks and greatest satisfaction in the knitting olympics comes from you. Without trying there is no improvement or learning, without difficulty there is no striving. It was the sheer volume of knitters that gave this the incredible momentum, velocity and significance it has had for all knitters (and quite a few non-knitters who really were stunned.) More than anything else this ended up being about an international community of knitters…and there are no losers at the Olympics. Even if you dropped the pattern in a puddle the first day…even if you grossly overestimated your available time, or if you got to rock a baby instead of knit…you still made the Olympics memorable. It takes a village to freak out non-knitters…and there is strength in numbers.}

For those who did finish, congratulations!  You are able to post the Gold Medal and know that you did something to test your personal best.  I am posting this medal for two reasons.  First, my daughter Hannah, did earn this and this is posted here on her behalf.  Second, I wanted you all to see it.  Everything associated with the Knitting Olympics has been done with class and professionalism. 

Thanks Stephanie!  Ya done good!!

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But it isn’t me. That’s okay – I’ll post my trials and tribulations later. I just had to show this off. This is the shawl my 15 year-old daughter made for her Knitting Olympics project. She chose the yarn and did an original design, sans pattern – just from what she imagined in her head. Not too bad for someone who has been knitting for about six months!!

Now of course, I am not busting with pride over here and I wouldn’t dream of bragging but I just had to show her project off to all of you!!

Congratulations, Hannah!!

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The Knitting Olympics are just about to wrap up.  I went checking around to see about people’s progress.  There are a lot of people who have already finished and some that are pushing to get that last little bit done.  Some, like me, have realized it just isn’t going to happen this year. 

So here is what I have learned so far.

1.  Stephanie (YarnHarlot) started her posting on 2/24 with a title of, “Aw…Crap.”  That about says it all but read what she has to say.  I think she still has a fighting chance. 

2.  KnitOlympics, the blog that represents YarnHarlot’s Olympic Village, shows a mixed bag.  There are some wonderful projects finished and quite beautiful.  There are some that have dropped out and aren’t too happy about it.  There are triumphant knitters, annoyed knitters, and not just a few exhausted knitters.  This blog makes for a great read!!

3.  Team Midwest, my personal Olympics team, is doing great.  (They haven’t heard from me yet – I’ll be the one ruining that!)  They have a lot of gold medals with some awesome projects.  There are more than just a few things that amazed me – I don’t know how they did it in 16 days! 

4.  Zeneedle – Needleart as Life, who reminded us to “Enjoy the Process,” seems to have maintained the calm and has just finished a beautiful project. As always, her blog is a wonderful place to visit and relax. 

5.  The other Adelle at “Girl is Crafty,” once again did what I did.  This is just too weird!!  She decided the project she had chosen was not the right one for her and went on to something that felt right for the time.  That caused her to not be able to finish on time, but she is a lot happier with what she is doing. I don’t know what is with her and me and this synchronicity.  I think we deserve a special medal!!

6.  The Loom Knitting Team is busy looming and hasn’t posted yet, but it looks like they are hanging in there still.  I think we will see some projects tomorrow so I’ll check in then. 

There are so many knitters involved in the Knitting Olympics, there is no way to track them all in one blog, but I have listed the ones I have been following.  I am amazed at all of these knitters.  The accomplishments, and the humor, have been a lot of fun to be part of, even though my own project … well, let’s be honest – it tanked.

Tomorrow should be fun.  And after the flame is extinguished, there are going to be a LOT of Knapping Knitters!!

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During the Knitting Olympics, I am sure many who crochet feel a bit left out. Of course, crocheters are welcome to participate and I hope many are working on projects with their knitting sisters. I was looking around at crochet blogs today, and I found a beautiful doily pattern that Brandy, a crochet blogger, recently finished. She has beautiful skills, as you can see in her photograph.

Brandy also provided a link to the pattern she used. It is a vintage (1950) three piece shell set, and it is a very classic pattern that would always be appropriate for a gift or for a decorating touch in your own home. It is made with size 30 cotton, and isn’t a difficult pattern. Be sure you check off the rows as you go to avoid having to count each time as this pattern was made before graphs were standard.

I also found another blog that is a crocheting blog, and this crocheter is participating in the Knitting Olympics! I was really happy to see that because crocheters are welcome as well, of course. “Yarning With a Hook,” is a great site and I hope you will take a look at her Olympian project – it is being done beautifully. I am looking forward to seeing the finished project.

I am now off to my Olympics project, which is giving me fits in the gauge! Every now and then there is a project like this one!

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There are few things, besides yarn, that knitters love more than patterns. Free patterns are even better. Now, if you are participating in the Knitting Olympics, you should bookmark this and come back to it later. Twelve days left in the marathon – hope your project is going well!

These patterns I have for you today should be some beautiful projects for this spring or summer. My daughter wants “Brownwyn,” which is a lovely knitted and very up-to-date skirt. I rather like Willa and Granite.

This pattern selection is nicely done; the web designers have set it up in a presentation that closely resembles a book. The photographs of the designs are clear and it is easy to see what the pattern is all about. Instructions are clear and easy to follow; the yarn they recommend is shown, as are close-ups of details in the work. Sizes range from women’s extra-small to 2X or 3X.

30 Free Patterns From Berroco

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I found something really fun today – it should be a great surprise for the Star Trek fans out there – particularly those who are loyal to the original series. These are graphs of the Star Trek logo, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Scotty, and all of the regulars that make up the original ST universe. There is also one of the original USS Enterprise. They have the color coding and they are graphed for knitting so there will not be any distortion if you knit to the proper gauge.

Have fun with these. The logo would be great as a band around a stocking hat and I’m sure the portrait graphs, which are really quite good, would work on a variety of projects. One project that comes to mind is an afghan – a sampler of all of the graphs – what a wonderful gift for the Trekker in your life!

Knitting Charts – Star Trek Characters, Logo & Enterprise

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The Knitting Olympics are in full swing now and progress is being duly noted. The sense of competition, in terms of “personal best,” is alive and well… and in some cases, sweating bullets.

I found a posting the other day that I think is important.

Visit Zeneedle… Needleart as Life – she has a great way of putting our craft, and how we approach it, in perspective. She has set up a delightful challenge in the middle of the Knitting Olympics for those who want to, yet don’t want to, participate. Take a look at what she has to say in this blog entry. And find out what Eddie has to do with it all.

And then… Enjoy the Process!!

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I have my project started for the Knitting Olympics and I have been surfing around reading about other people’s projects and how they are doing on the first day of the challenge.

Stephanie (YarnHarlot who has organized this whole thing) has The Knitting Olympics Athletes Pledge up on her blog. I printed a copy to remind me why I am doing this. Girl is Crafty, which is an awesome craft blog, is doing a sweater (just like me) and is doubting her own sanity (just like me). Coincidentally, her name is Adelle (just like me). Is this weird or what?

The Knit Olympics blog is busy – people are talking about their false starts but are feeling motivated – it should prove to be a busy community. Some of the team blogs are already reporting in – only a few crises over at Team Midwest, one of the teams I am on. Believe it or not, MIT has their own team, and considering the fields these people are in, their project reflects the combined brain pan power… check out how they are doing their project at MIT Stitch & Bitch.

There are some… unusual (?)… original (!) teams popping up as well. The NYPD has a team, as does Harry Potter – well, there is a Team Potter, but I don’t think Harry himself is knitting this year. The sock knitters have their own team at Sock Team USA, and YES, there is a Frappr map of the Knitting Olympics participants – 1131 of them anyway (which is about 25%). So go post yourself on that while you have a moment.

I am back to my project. And I PROMISE to try to remember to photograph what I am doing while it is still light out. Hope everyone is doing okay with their projects! 15 days to go…

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There is a team for the Knitting Olympics that is exclusively for people who haven’t made up their mind about what to make. There is another team for loom knitters. I have some links that may solve the problems of one group and thrill the members of the other group.

Decor Accents, Inc., has a wonderful set of patterns for the loom knitter at very reasonable prices. They are downloads that are immediately available and they are great patterns. You won’t find any potholders here!

And if you want to talk to other knitting “loomers,” there is a forum at Knitting Without Needles. Pattern information, general chat, and hints and tips can all be found here.

My looms came in the mail today. I am looking forward to playing with them. However… I think I’ll be waiting until after the Knitting Olympics. Tomorrow starts a busy 16 days!!

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No pressure at all by that title! Tomorrow is the big day. It is the day to cast on and begin your Knitting Olympics project! Have you decided what you are making? It is okay to do a gauge piece before (all athletes have to warm up, after all!) but you have to wait to cast on. When the torch is lit, go for it!

I have decided to make a cardigan. It can either have two clasp type fasteners or buttons and I am unsure of what way I’ll go on that. It is a Lion Brand pattern for Homespun and I am actually using the recommended yarn. (Be still my heart – I rarely get the brand recommended!)

My project is a challenge, not because of the pattern itself or the stitch, because it is essentially a very easy pattern, but because it is a complete long-sleeve cardigan and I work, I am a widowed mom, and I don’t have as much time to knit as I would like. But I am determined to prove it can be done and done well in just over the two weeks we are given.

Have you joined a team yet? It is a lot of fun and it is good support. This is a cosmic-size knit-along and all the positive thinking in these teams will help. To find the team that you belong to (and there are undoubtedly several) visit Kat with a K; teams are listed out by country, state, type of project, and just about any way you can think of to locate a suitable group.

I’ll try to have a photo up in the next day or two. I am really looking forward to having this cardy; it is cold and I am definitely NOT a winter person. This should be very comfortable to wear and very classic.

I am on a couple of teams: Team Midwest and Team Nebraska. I would love to hear about your projects too – send in your photos and I’ll post them on Hankering For Yarn. My email is always looking for photos from readers of WIPs.

Thanks so much to Stephanie at YarnHarlot for organizing this. I can’t even imagine what a huge job it must have been! And thanks also to Kat for organizing the teams into lists so we can all find our way to the right group. This is going to be a lot of fun and knitters have you two, and I am sure many others, to thank.

The Knitting Olympics

Team Lists

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