The Knitting Olympics

There were a lot of choices I could have made.

The first was deciding to participate in the knitting olympics. The second was to go with the smaller but perhaps more traditional Yarn Harlot version rather than choose among the plethora of categories available in the Ravelympics.

Then there was the choice of project.

When I signed up I wrote.

"I will design and knit a shawlette using an adapted lace pattern from the 1800s. Name TBD.. although I like Curling, 'cause that, like this, takes stones!"

But I didn't knit a shawlette. I didn't even get beyond a basic sketch of the shaping.

What I did accomplish while the olympics were going on was tremendous, though.

-I finished samples for the Wild Cherry Bark Mitts, the Corydalis Cowl, the Kiva Bag, Cloud on her Shoulders and the Dragontail Shawl (the Dragontail and Cloud were mostly done, the Kiva bag still needed felting) to be sent to Knit Picks.

-I re-wrote the patterns to comply with Knit Picks style and the new yarn.

-I had a photo session on Sunday, then added the new photos to the new patterns.

-I completed writing and grading a pattern for socks in 4 sizes for submission to Knit Circus.

-I attended a 4 day conference before and after the torch was lit.

-I knit a shawl while at the conference in only 2 days to donate to the raffle for the Tempest Smith Foundation.

I did all this while having no fewer than 3 major colitis attacks and the resulting physical repercussions.

Did I fail? Technically. But you know what? In attempting to get to the point where I could begin, I moved mountains of fiberly tasks out of the way. So I'm counting it as a win.

And I WILL design that shawlette. And I will still probably call it 'Curling'.