2010 Ravelymics - The Wrap Up

 

 

 

Bob:   Well, it's been a tremendous couple of weeks, but it's time to say good-bye to the 2010 Ravelympics.  With tonight's closing ceremonies, the games and the knitting frenzy come to an end.

Ron:  Hard to believe it's only been 17 days.  What a tremendous woolly output we've seen from the nearly 10,000 worldwide participants. 

Bob: We're here with one of the participants.  Tell us, Ms. Sutton, how do you feel now that it's all over?

Toni:  Well, Bob, I think I'm still a bit shocked to have actually finished.

Ron:  So you weren't sure you would finish?

Toni:  There are just so many things that can happen--a design flaw, running short of yarn, broken needles, a freak moth invasion--nothing is a given in competitive knitting.

Bob:  Now that you've come this far, what are your plans?  Are you considering turning pro?

Toni:  Well, Bob, I did consider it briefly, but the life of a professional knitlete with all the travel, the training--the rigorous finger exercises--and the grueling competition schedule--I just don't think I'm cut out for it. 

Ron: As one of the medalists, have you been approached for any product endorsements?

Toni:  There were some early talks to appear on a new breakfast cereal box, but initial product tests didn't go very well. 

Bob:  Any idea what the problem was?

Toni:  Well, I haven't heard anything official, but I think it might have been the name.  I'm just not sure a big bowl of "Woollies" sounds like a great way to start the day.  Or perhaps it was the free life-sized toy moth in every box.  That may not have had broad market appeal.  It's hard to say.

Ron:  And what are your immediate plans?

Toni:  Well, I think first is a little housecleaning is in order.  And I've already started a short, easy-to-finish scarf that I'm getting to take my time on.

 

Then, who knows?  Perhaps it's time to tackle a quilt again.  After all, I've just knit a sweater in 15 days.  How hard could finishing a quilt really be?

 

Bob:  And with those famous last words, we now return you to our normally-scheduled programming........

Ravelympics 2010 - Day 15

Bob:  We're back at the 2010 Ravelympics, and after 15 grueling days, Ms. Sutton has just crossed the finish line for the Sweaterboard Cross.

Ron:  Well, I don't mind admitting that I never thought she would pull it off.  And entire sweater in 15 days--and by a woman who actually set aside a nearly-completed sweater for almost 2 entire years before sewing the sweater seams.

Bob:  You certainly make a good point, Ron.  This is well outside of Ms. Sutton's usual knitting behavior.  She has really been pushing hard during the games.

Ron:  She certainly has.  And her support team has truly been phenomenal.  Theo was on hand for the entire final push.

 

 

and her very patient husband has been cheering her on during the entire event.  

Bob:  Do we have a shot of him as well.

Ron:  No--apparently he has left on an "emergency white chocolate martini run," and is unavailable for comment.

Bob:  How about an interview with Ms. Sutton?

Ron:  I'm afraid when last seen, Ms. Sutton was running out the door screaming "anything but knitting!" and hasn't been seen since.  Authorities are on the lookout for her in the next three counties. They're hoping to catch her before she reaches Canada and the other Olympics games going on.


Bob:  Keep it here for continued coverage of the 2010 Ravelympics and the efforts to track down Ms. Sutton......

2010 Ravelympics - Day 14

Bob:  We're here at Day 14 of the 2010 Ravelympics.  Tensions are mounting as the final days tick by.  Will the contestants finish in time?

Ron:  With just 3 days to go, it's anyone's game.  Just one mistake--one frogging--and it's all over.  The knitletes are DEFINITELY showing signs of stress now.

Bob:  Checking in with Ms. Sutton, she now has a second sleeve finished but not attached, and the first neckband partially done.  She might really make it on time!

Ron:  Do we have pictures of her progress?

Bob:  When our cameraman approached her about taking photos, I believe her response was "Get stuffed, you moron, can't you see I'm knitting?????" which he chose to interpret as "no photos right now, please."

Ron:  Ah, I see.  Well, contestants do tend to get a bit cranky during the last few days of competition.  Perhaps we can try again tomorrow night.

Bob:   Good idea, Ron.....let's hope tomorrow is a white chocolate martini sort of night......

Ron:  Join us tomorrow for our continuing coverage of the 2010 Ravelympics

2010 Ravelympics - Day 13

Ron:  This just in:  Ms. Sutton is approaching the sleeve cap shaping!  There could be a finished sleeve very soon now, and then it's all down to the button bands.  Can she stick with it long enough?????

Bob:  Keep it right here for the latest developments for the last few days of the 2010 Ravelympics.

2010 Ravelympics - Day 12

Bob:  We're back at the 2010 Ravelympics.  It's been 12 grueling days of extreme knitting, and I think the strain on the competitors may be starting to show.

Ron:  I think you're right, Bob.  With just one sleeve and the button bands left to go, I think Ms. Sutton is starting to lose some steam. 

Bob: The pressure of knitting an entire sweater in 17 days is extremely high, and not many knitters can cope with that sort of project dedication.  Not normally an extremely monogamous knitter, I've been surprised that Ms. Sutton has shown the dedication that she has.

Ron:  Good point, Bob.  She's surprised us all by getting this far, and I think we might just see the end of the 10th skein of yarn tonight.

Bob:  That would definitely make up for the lack of knitting earlier today.  There was the early deciding-to-try-making-pad-thai-for-lunch distraction, and then this afternoon, I was afraid for a minute that we had lost her entirely.

Ron:  You don't mean......

Bob:  Yes, Ron, I'm afraid I do.  Ms. Sutton was actually cleaning the sewing room today instead of knitting.

Ron:  No!!!!!!!

Bob:  Sad to say, we have it on good authority Ms. Sutton actually sorted, dusted, filed AND gained about 3 feet of visible floor space.  Definitely a sign that the pressure is getting to her.

Ron:  It happens to so many young knitletes.  They think they can handle it, but sooner or later, the pressure gets to them.  Tell me...she wasn't....she didn't.....

Bob:  No, no--she didn't vacuum, so she may not be over the edge entirely.  

Ron:  Whew!  That's a relief!  Perhaps with a little rest--and maybe a glass or two of wine--she'll be back on track tomorrow.

Bob:  I certainly hope so for Ms. Sutton's sake.   Join us here tomorrow for our continuing coverage of the 2010 Ravelympics.

2010 - Ravelympics Day 11

Ron:  We're back, ladies and gentlemen, at the 2010 Ravelympics.  It's been a tense 24 hours here, but with some quality tubby rubbing time

the hostage situation has been cleared up and Ms. Sutton is back on track for the Sweaterboard Cross.

Bob:  She's certainly faced some challenges during the games, but she buckled down today with new determination and we have definitely seen some major progress today.

Ron:  We certainly have, Bob.  One sleeve is completed, the second is cast on, and for the first time it looks possible that Ms. Sutton will not only finish her sweater, but possibly finish it early. 

Bob:  Anything is possible at this stage, Ron.  She's definitely playing a smart game right now.  She's knitting the sleeves on double pointed needles to eliminate the need for seams, and it really seems to be paying off for her.

Ron:  It certainly does, Bob.  She's a much faster knitter than purler, so switching to circulars for the stockinette-stitch sleeves has definitely gained her some time. 

Bob:  Tell us about the upcoming neckband.

Ron:  It could be a challenge for her, Bob.  The pattern calls for picking up stitches along the left side and around one half of the neck, finishing that band, marking for buttons, then making the right neckband, which will have to be sewn together at the back of the neck.  It may be tempting for her to knit it all in one piece, but that would make the buttonhole placement a bit trickier--though not impossible--and would make a solid neckband instead of one joined by a seam. 

Bob:  And which do you think Ms. Sutton is most likely to attempt?

Ron:  If she's pressed for time, she'll probably attempt an all-in-one.  Risky, but fewer steps.  If she stays ahead of schedule, I think she'll take the more conservative approach and go for the two pieces.  

Bob:  With less than 6 days remaining, anything could happen.  Keep it tuned right here for more exciting coverage of the 2010 Ravelympic games!

2010 Ravelympics - Day 10

Bob:  Here we are, ladies and gentlemen, at Day 10 of the 2010 Ravelympic games.  Let's check in with Ms. Sutton to see how she's progressing...

Ron:  THIS JUST IN!  It appears we have a potential hostage situation developing.  Ms. Sutton's project is being held by an unknown assailant.  Oh, the agony Ms. Sutton must be feeling!!!!

Bob:  Can we get a visual of the sweater-napper?

Ron:  I'd say he means business--just look at those eyes.  Any word on the wool-napper's demands?

Bob:  It's a bit early, but it sounds like he is asking for two hours of playtime and some extended "tummy rubbing."

Ron:  A heartbreaking development, truly.  Keep it tuned here for updates on this latest Ravelympics development...

2010 - Ravelympics Day 9 - The Push Is On!

Bob:  Well, here we are just past the half-way point of the 2010 Ravelympics.  With only 8 days remaining, we're now approaching "crunch time."

Ron:  This is the time when we'll really discover what our competitors are truly made of. 

Bob:  Right you are, Ron!  It's time to separate the Fun Fur from the merino--sink or swim time.  We now check in with Ms. Sutton's progress.  She's finished the 6th ball of yarn and is almost done with the seventh, but she's now using two balls at once, so progress is going to be much slower.

Ron:  True.  Now I understand that when she split for the sleeves, she opted to knit the back separately before moving on to the two front pieces.  Any speculation as to why she might take such a step?

Bob:  To be honest, Ron, it's often hard to imagine why Ms. Sutton does things, but in this case I might guess that she wanted to move things along more quickly by not messing with three skeins of yarn at once.

Ron:  That very well could be, Bob, but I might be more inclined to guess that as Ms. Sutton had already made--well, let's be honest and call it the whopper of an error that it was--by converting the pattern to be knit in one piece rather than three without charting it, I'd speculate that she was trying to avoid any future catastrophes caused by poor planning.

Bob:  If that is indeed the case, this might show a new maturity in Ms. Sutton, wouldn't you say, Ron?

Ron:  Definitely, Bob.  If Ms. Sutton has actually adopted a new sense of caution in her crafting, that would certainly be surprising.  Remember her decision to make 4 quilts in one year for her bridesmaids, without ever having even attempted a quilt?


Bob:  That was definitely a classic Ms. Sutton move.  And who could ever forget embroidered tablecloth incident when Ms. Sutton didn't check to make sure nothing was under the embroidery hoop, and the tablecloth actually had to be cut off the embroidery machine?

Ron:  Pure Sutton, that one!  Should we even bring up the garden or canning?  Do we even need to go that far?

Bob:  Oh Ron--that would be another show altogether!  Perhaps a mini-series even?

Ron:  In the meantime, it looks like Ms. Sutton might have just over 5 skeins to go.  Do you think she can make it?

Bob:  It's going to be a tight race, but being just over half finished with the sweater and the Ravelympics being just over half done, it looks like it's going to be neck-and-neck....or rather, stitch-and-stitch.


Ron:  It's anyone's game now.  It's crucial now that she not make any mistakes.....What do you think the odds really are on that?

Bob:  Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!  Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Ron:  We apologize, ladies and gentleman--Bob seems to have been struck by some sort of fit.  As he's led away to the medical tent for treatment, we return you to the 2010 Ravelympics.

2010 Ravelympics - Day 8

Ron:  We're here at the 2010 Ravelympics on day 8 and we're fast approaching the half0way point of the 2010 games.  Will our contender finish her sweater in time?

Bob:  It could go either way right now, Ron, but there are unconfirmed rumors of a sleeve opening sighting.  If that is the case, Ms. Sutton could well be on target for finishing her sweater before the games end.  When the games resume tomorrow morning, we will definitely be looking for confirmation.  Will it be down to the wire.......?

2010 Ravelympics - Day 7

Bob:  Here we are on Day 7 of the 2010 Ravelympics.  With less than 10 days to go, the competition is heating up.

Ron:  How right you are, Bob!  Between the sweat pouring off the furiously-knitting competitors and the ever-growing pile of woolly goodness, there's definitely a warming trend here at Ravelympic headquarters.

Bob:  As some of the contestants finish their projects, many of them are entering new events, but others are already looking forward to some of the upcoming knitting events, aren't they? 

Ron:  They are indeed.  Of course the first one coming up will be "The Bachelor," where 10 women compete to knit our bachelor a sweater to try to see if ANY of them can survive the dreaded Boyfriend Sweater Curse.

Bob:  Then right after that, we move on to "Knitting With The Stars," featuring 5 B-list celebrities who, never having knit before, will have to produce ever-more challenging knitted items until only one celebrity remains knitting. 

Ron:  Of course, my favorite will always be "The Biggest Loser," featuring teams of knitters trying to knit down their gargantuan stashes.  

Bob:  That is, indeed, a classic.  This year there are two new shows that we're excited about.  First is "Hell's Knitting," where our celebrity knitter finds craft rooms harboring the truly tacky knitting of the 70s and 80s, publicly berates and belittles the offending knitter, and hopefully leaves him or her with a new appreciation for fine merinos and a bit of subtlety.  I've heard rumors of bobbles and excessive pom poms, so we're looking forward to that one.

Ron:  And finally, "Knitting Eye For the Straight Guy," where our team tries to convince American males that sweaters don't always have to be blue or black and feature some sort of cables.  

Bob  Lots of great stuff coming up on EKPN - the Entertainment and Knitting Programming Network.   Keep it here for ALL your knitting excitement.

Day 6 of the 2010 Ravelympics

Bob:  We're here at the 2010 Ravelympics on Day Six, and the competitors are definitely starting to feel the pressure after almost one full week of knitting.

Ron:  How right you are, Bob! With only 11 days to go, it's gut-check time.  Will the project really be finished and does the knitter have the stamina to go the distance?

Bob:  Let's check in now with one of our competitors--Ms. Sutton, are you with us?

Ron:  Looks like we might have been disconnected there, Bob.  I thought I heard her mutter something about a gym and "warding off knitter's ass."  I think perhaps Ms. Sutton's dedication has waned slightly.

Bob:  Too bad--she was showing such strength.  Can we get a shot of her progress to date?

Ron:  Yes--here we are:

She's now on the 5th skein of yarn, and if our calculations are correct, she'll need a total of 12, so she might be one-third of the way there.

Bob:  Let's hope so, Ron, as the 2010 Ravelympics are just a little more than one-third over.  It looks like it might be down to the wire on this one.  I see some friends have turned out to cheer on our competitor.

Ron:  Some of these supporters were actually Ravelympic aspirants themselves, weren't they?

Bob:  They were Ron.  That turquoise cotton certainly cherished hopes for this competition, but may get a shot at the 2012 games.

Ron:  It's good to see there are no hard feelings.

Bob:  Well, Ron, there are rumors of a little animosity from a certain Kauni cardigan, but as of yet those rumors are unsubstantiated. 

Ron:  These kinds of competitions can definitely strain nerves.  Any word on how Ms. Sutton is holding up?

Bob:  No official word yet, but there have been sightings of a few white chocolate martinis, and a little chocolate earlier today.......

Ron:  It's probably to be expected, though we'll be keeping a close eye on that situation.  When she starts combining them, there might be a problem.  Alcohol AND a sugar rush--she might end up with a tea cozy instead of a sweater.  Think of the horror!  I guess we'll just have to wait and see on that one.

Bob:  Join us tomorrow for our live continued coverage of the 2010 Ravelympics!  

Back to the 2010 Ravelympics!

Bob:  We're here at the 2010 Ravelympics and the Sweaterboard Cross Event.  One entire sweater knit in 17 days--that's quite an undertaking.

Ron: It is indeed, Bob!  This is the kind of knitting that tries women's souls.  Knitters must dig deep into their background--their training--to compete at this level.

Bob:  We've been watching Ms. Sutton in her first Sweaterboard Cross event.  Do you think her training will allow her to go the distance?

Ron:  Well, as you know Bob, Ms. Sutton spent her formative knitting years in the late 70s and early 80s with only Red Heart worsted to train with.  That was a tough, ugly way to begin, but being part of the pom-pom era can really only strengthen a knitter.

Bob:  Too true, Ron.  Growing up on the wrong side of the sheep can definitely toughen up a knitter.  But what about the project monogamy required for this sort of marathon knitting?  In the past, this has not been Ms. Sutton's strong suit.

Ron:  Right you are Bob--I think how Ms. Sutton handles the project monogamy will definitely determine whether she takes a gold or goes home just half a sweater.  This is a big event for a woman known to have at least 35 WIPS at one time.

Bob: She's definitely come a long way from those Red Heart worsted acrylic potholders and the lopsided Barbie blankets of the 1970s.

Ron:  She certainly has, Bob!  That's some quality 100% wool she's working with here, and not even a superwash.  A touching story, Bob, truly touching....

Bob:  Right you are Ron!  Keep it tuned here for continuing coverage of the 2010 Ravelympics.  And don't forget....check Amazon.com for your own Racing Grannies or Crazy Cat Lady merchandise--proud sponsors of the 2010 Ravelympics.

And Now A Word From Our Sponsors...

Bob:  Before we continue our coverage of the 2010 Ravelympics, we pause for a few words from our sponsors:

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 It's time for for Anthon-Berry's liqueur-filled chocolates.  Anthon-Berry's--when one vice just isn't enough.

And...they're lean!  They're mean!  They're racing machines!  It's.....

The Racing Grannies RC racers!  Grandmothers--they're not just for knitting anymore!


For that special knitting friend--you know who she is--it's

 the Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure!  Comes complete with green carpet slippers, 6 cats, and a wild look of desperation in her eyes.  (Not recommended for small children or anyone trying to get a date)


Planning a party for a few of your knitting friends and looking for a little ice-breaker?  It's....

 the Inflatable Party Sheep!  For those times when yarn just isn't enough.  (Void where prohibited and in rural parts of Montana)

Touch And Go

Bob: We're here at the medic tent the injured Sutton sweater.  It looks bad, folks.  A 6" by 2.5" patch is incorrect, and we're waiting to hear if the injury can be healed, or if this is the end of the road for this sweater.

Ron: It's sad to see such a debilitating injury this early in the competition...... 

Bob:  Wait!  Do you see what I see???  Ms. Sutton is going to try using the ladder technique to correct the problems.   She is actually going to undo each column of stitching and, with the aid of a sterilized crochet hook, rework each column to be the correct pattern!!!

Ron:  What a tremendously brave attempt!  To undo 6 inches of knitting by reworking one column at a time--this will take hours!  If it can even be done!  I thought I had seen everything....

Bob: They're applying the anesthesia now

and we'll be hoping to hear the results in a few hours......

Let The Games Begin!

Bob:  The torch has been lit, and the 2010 Ravelympics have officially begun!

Ron: Right you are, Bob!  We're joining the action at the end of the first full day of competition.  Now Ms. Sutton got a delayed start--do you have more on that Bob?

Bob: Informed sources tell us that Ms. Sutton spent much of last night at a pre-Valentine's Day dinner party with friends, and her cast-on was delayed almost 12 hours.  It's too early to tell how much of an impact those lost hours will make, but it was a gutsy--if not actually a smart--move on Ms. Sutton's part.

Ron:  I see Ms. Sutton has chosen the cable cast on, rather than the more traditional long-tail method.  A good strategic move, do you think?


Bob:   I do, Ron.  Ms. Sutton has often struggled with running short of yarn on the long-tail cast on, and after a 12-hour delayed start, she can't afford many more delays. 

Ron:  I see Ms. Sutton is altering the pattern during cast on--to knit the front pieces and back piece as one.  Obviously she's hoping to gain some time, but after being out so late last night, is this really a good strategic move on her part?

 
Bob:  Well, there's no denying that she's pretty slow with sewing seams, so strategically it's a good move, but after a late night...she is taking a huge risk.

Ron:  Wait--I see a flag on the field--it looks like there might be a problem......

Bob:  Ms. Sutton's sweater is being air-lifted to the medical tent!!!!!  It's hard to see from here....Wait!  It looks like she reversed the layout of one of the front side pieces!  Looks like her lack of sleep the night before casting on has certainly cost her!

Ron:   It's early stages, and only 2.5 inches knit.  Her options are to frog and restart--causing a 24 hour delay--or attempt to do a ladder fix with a crochet hook.  Tough call!

Bob:  It's sad to see such a glaring problem so early in the competition.  At this point she can, as you said, frog and restart, or she can even do a last minute event-change.  Ms. Sutton has long been a favorite for WIPS Dancing, so it's possible she might switch events.  She's conferring with her trainer now, so we'll hope for word on her new strategy shortly.  Keep it here, folks, for continued live coverage of the 2010 Winter Ravelympics!

Ravelympics 2010 - Pregame Show: The Countdown.....

Bob:  With just hours to go before the torch-lighting for the 2010 Ravelympics, we take a look at some of the last-minute preparations being done by one of the contestants.  Ms. Sutton, thank you for taking time to talk with us this morning.  Tell us, what sorts of things are you doing today?
 
Toni:  Well, Bob, first I did a little dusting.

Bob:  Now I notice you're chosen to use Endust at this point.  Are you mostly a spray-polish duster?

Toni:  Well, generally I'm a "this-is-a-big-freakin'-waste-of-time" sort of duster, but I thought the house might be a bit frightening two weeks from now.

Bob: I see.  I notice you've been accumulating a few things today.  Can you tell us about them?


Toni: Certainly, Bob.  First there's some hand lotion

--always a necessity for any type of knitting marathon, especially here in the drier climates.  And of course a large supply of coffee

 

to help me keep my focus.

Bob:  Now I've noticed some knitters can drink coffee nonstop without impeding their performance.  Are you one of them?

Toni:  Well, Bob, you don't get to this level of competition without some caffeine addiction. However, I do have my limits, so if I start to get the jitters we have a supply of herbal teas on hand

and for when things get really desperate....

 

 Bob:  My, that's a really large bottle of champagne, there...

Toni:  Victory party, Bob.  Or possibly the being-released-from-the-hospital-after-a-complete-nervous-breakdown-party.  These things can go either way.  

Bob:  Now this brings up an interesting point.  Will the Ravelympics participants be drug tested?

Toni:  It's doubtful, Bob, as drugs are often quite necessary to even feel it would be possible to knit an entire sweater in 16 days.  Over at the "Fleece to FO Long Track" tent, where the competitors will be spinning their own yarn AND turning it into a finished object, I'd say some sort of stimulant is almost a certainty.

Bob:  I see.  And what are these other objects in your pile.

Toni:  When knitting for leisure, I can often read a book while knitting, but it slows down my time.  Speed is of the essence here, so I'll need a few things to keep my mind busy while I work.  For more serious moments, 

we have the COMPLETE Jane Austen movie collection--the BBC version, not the "adapted" A & E version--I'm always a purist about these things--and for the lighter moments,

the complete first 3 seasons of "Rocky and Bullwinkle."  There's nothing like a little Sherman and Mr. Peabody to keep one inspired.

Bob:  Now, Ms. Sutton, we understand that you have two cats--is that correct?

Toni:  That is correct. 

Bob  Cute as they may be, cats can often pose a real problem for knitters--how do you plan to handle that?

Toni:  Well, I've taken a few precautions there as well.....

Bob:  Oh, I see.  Well, you certainly have thought of everything.  We certainly wish all the competitors well as they complete their final preparations.  Less than 8 hours to go now....... 

Ravelympics 2010- The Pregame Show

Ron:  With less than 24 hours until the 2010 Ravelympics kickoff, we're here with one of the contestants.  Ms. Sutton, what you can tell us about this year's competition?

Toni:  Well Ron, to date there are more than 8300 knitters from around the world signed up and ready to compete.  Some will be competing on multiple events--such as perhaps the Scarf Super-G as well as Sock Hockey--while some of us are tackling a single, larger project.


Ron:  So participants have 16 days to complete their events.  That's a lot of pressure for what many of us would consider a grandmotherly-sort of sport.

Toni:  Don't let the stereotypes fool you.  Anyone who has ever witnessed the carnage at a 50%-off sale of cashmere yarn can tell you, knitting is not for the timid.


Ron:  You're signed up for the Sweaterboard Cross and the Stash Compulsory Dance, which--let me get this straight--is an ENTIRE sweater made from stash yarn within 16 days.  Is that correct?

Toni  Yes, Ron, it sure is.


Ron:  16 days--that's a pretty big challenge.  To attempt such an extreme knitting feat, is there training involved, or some sort of practice or preparation involved?

Toni:  Definitely.  This is not something to be attempted by the first-time knitter.


Ron  What sort of training goes in to preparing for the Ravelympics.

Toni:  Well, first the knitter has to learn to set ridiculous goals with incredibly tight time frames.  Most of us achieve this by deciding to knit a Christmas sweater or afghan around December 1.  Not every knitter can make it.  Most don't--many spend Christmas eve with 4 pots of coffee and a nervous tic in one eye to get there.  It's a grueling training process.  Often there are tears...occasionally the knitting project will be savagely flung into a food processor out of frustration.  Definitely not a sport for the timid.

Ron:  With just under 24 hours before the mass cast-on, tensions are running high.  Stay with us for our continuing LIVE coverage of the 2010 Ravelympics......

I'm In Training!

Ravelympics (and, I suppose, the Olympics) kick off Friday at 7:00 PM in my time zone.  And I will be out having dinner with friends.  I know--where's my dedication?  Where's my team spirit?  Obviously, I may not be cut out to be a professional "knitlete"  (You've heard of poetic license, right?  This is blog license--I can make up any words or terms on my knitting blog that I want, provided they have something to do with knitting.  This is one of the perks of ignoring reality) as I have no intention of changing plans.  But I do promise to cast on the moment we get home.

I am getting ready, though.  I have lined up audio books, movies, we have lots of spaghetti sauce in the freezer, and the ingredients for white chocolate martinis are in the refrigerator (which won't really help the knitting but WILL make attempting to knit a sweater in 16 days seem less crazy).  Just under 2 days until the kickoff.....maybe I should be doing stretches or some sort of finger lifts????

12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the things that I hoped the "100 Projects" project would do is to force entice me into finishing some of the sewing and knitting WIPS laying around.  I mean, let's face it--the idea of starting and finishing 100 projects in 365 days is a bit crazy....even for me.  While it seems to have had no impact on the knitting WIPS, this weekend I did finish

I apologize for the rather bad picture--I didn't realize it was that bad until I had already thrown the jacket into the washing machine.  I'm about 50% happy with it.  The thing is supposed to have shoulder pads, but I have really broad shoulders for a woman, so that part looks fine without them, but the sleeves are unbelievably long--and not in a way that would be fixed by shoulder pads.  In stocking feet, I am 5' 8" tall.  I don't have short arms.  In fact, I have rather long arms.  So, what Amazon tribe are the psychos at the pattern company using for models???????

Not that I'm not thrilled with finishing a project, but I was a bit disappointed to figure out that I'd only used one and a half yards of material on them.  From a space perspective, using up fleece is the best thing I can do, but it's a bit disappointing on the stash tally.  To make up for it, Theo and I started cutting out some silky pajamas for me (and yes, I do really have a thing for pajamas)

which will use up 5.5 yards of some material I bought on clearance somewhere.  Take THAT fabric tally!

On the knitting front, I've moved on to the sleeves of the cowl-neck sweater

and since it's short sleeved, I'm about an inch away from the sleeve cap shaping.  I'm trying to finish one more project before the Ravelympics begin.  I have 5 days to get there.........

Note To Self:

Make sure one is actually WEARING the wrist pin cushion before jabbing the pins at one's wrist.....

Finishing Friday But Nothing Finished

which Theo thinks is quite disgraceful.

I did finish the front of the cowl-neck sweater

and I think I moved the neckline up far enough so that the world will have to continue to wonder whether my belly button is an "innie" or an "outie." The sleeves have been started, so I'm hoping to finish it before the Ravelympics start on Friday.  Of course, I'm hoping to finish a whole dang sweater in 17 days, so I am hardly one to be trusted on such things.

I was really hoping to finish this fleece jacket today

but since this project had been started more than a year ago, there was a good hour devoted to finding all the various pieces and parts.  I think my original plan was to do some sort of decorative stitching on this somewhere, but now I'm almost wondering about some sort of embroidery? It's going to be a bit dull otherwise, don't you think?

Look!!!!!!

The lid to the lace weight bin will almost close without having to set something heavy on top of it!!!!!

In my world, we learn to celebrate small achievements......

One In Under The Wire

So last night--after posting my totals for the month--I finished the "WIP Celebration Scarf:"

which was intended as a long scarf that would go in the gift bin, but somewhere along the line I got the idea to make it a shorter scarf to be worn tied at the neck--ascot style, I think?...and to keep it.  Unless I really, really, really need a gift before I get the chance to wear it.  (I lose a lot of scarves and socks this way)

So, 11 projects done in the first month!!!!!!  Of course, after that I was so excited that I immediately cast on

and if you're thinking that yarn looks suspiciously familiar, you would be correct!  It's the same yarn I used for the WIP Celebration scarf....which was left over from the Kimono shawl.  I'm not sure exactly how much of this stuff I have, but let's just say I'm in no danger of running out on this scarf.  It's going to be simple, but a wide, drape-y scarf for Andy to wear with his nice winter coat.  I've been looking for a silk or other nice--but manly--scarf for him for about 3 years, and at that rate it actually IS faster to make one.  Plus, it seems to help my crazy 100-project goal to have lots of knitting options available...simple, relatively small things to carry in my purse, more interesting things for when garter and stockinette make me want to beat my head against a wall, and non-splitty yarn for knitting while reading.  If I could knit and walk, I'd have that category as well, but I have tried it, and unless I'm just going to walk around our back yard, it's a pretty suicidal thing to do.  I've seen pictures of men and women walking and knitting back in knitting history books, but 1) they are drawings not photographs, so I'm only assuming they are accurate; 2) they didn't have power poles and cars zipping past them at 50 miles an hour (the cars, not the power poles); and 3) one is probably a lot braver and a lot less whiny when the choice is "knit or freeze."

Being February 1, I almost opened a "Project of the Month" bag today, but I actually am a co-leader of an Elizabeth Zimmermann knitting group, and thought since it was February 1 and lots of people were interested in a knit-along, I cast on a February Baby Sweater for my "Project of the Month":

and yes, I do see the inherent problem associated with finishing 1 project and starting two.....However, in my defense, this is "Finish 100 Projects Year."  It is not "Don't end up with 87 WIPs year......."

And I have decided to start the neck of the cowl sweater at 13 inches--4 above where the pattern says to.  I think that should be a reasonable place.  Not that there's anything wrong with other people choosing to have that sort of cleavage, but I haven't turned 40 yet, and while I know that at some point my belly button might have more to do with my cleavage than I'd really like, I'm not there yet.......