Pages

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Want to engage in the Olympic Challenge of knitting? The competition has technically already begun, but I think you'll be fine to start late, you're competing against yourself and the clock.

Find a project that would be challenging for you to finish in 17 days (well, 16 now) cast on and complete it by the time the flame goes out at closing ceremonies and you'll be eligible to win a fun prize, plus you'll get to add a gold medal button from The Yarn Harlot to your page!

This contest couldn't have come at a better time. I recently ordered, and received, the yarn for a project that I have specific time restraints on...pretty much the same timeline as the contest.

Ms. Pearl-McPhee has even given a great pledge in order that all will take this as seriously as need be...or not...

The Knitting Olympics Athletes Pledge

I, a knitter of able hands and quick wits, to hereby swear that over the course of these Olympics I will uphold the highest standard of knitterly excellence.

I will be deft of hand and sure of pattern, I will overcome troubles of yarn overs and misplaced decreases. I will use the gifts of intelligence and persistence (as well as caffeine and chocolate) and I will execute my art to the highest form, carrying with me the hope for excellence known to every knitter.

I strive to win. To do my best, and to approach the needles with my own best effort in mind, without comparing myself to my fellow knitters, for they have challenges unique to them.

While I engage in this pursuit of excellence and my own personal, individual best, I also swear that I will continue to engage with my family in conversation, care for my pets, speak kindly with those who would ask me to do something other than knit, and above all, above every stitch thrown or picked, above every cable, every heel stitch, every change of colour, I swear this:

That I will remember that this is not the real Olympics, that I'm supposed to be having fun and that my happiness and self-worth ride not on my success....
but on my trying.

So cast on those stitches and join in the fun. You can click on the Yarn Harlot above to be taken directly to the link on her page with all the specifics. It must be a project that you think will be challenging for you to complete in the time allotted.

Here's mine:


The Radiant Sweater on LionBrand made with Cotton-ease for great drape and washability without losing it's shape. It's listed as a skill level of 'experienced' but it's knit in the round and there are no crazy cables...unlike my other sweater that I'm sure is destined to remain a really sweet dickie...because that's all I've completed of it.

Wish me luck, I'm going for the Gold!

2 comments:

Crafty Mama said...

yeah, let's go!! i can hear strains of the Olympic theme and the sound of hundreds of pairs of needles clicking right now. :)

Portlandia said...

I'm in. Considering that it is challenging for me to complete ANYTHING in any amount of time, I will try to finish an already-cast-on (but that's about it) baby sweater for a friend who us due in mere weeks. Let this not be yet another closet-crowding, not-done-in-time-so-not-done failure. I'm going for gold!!