Knitting Olympics - Day 16

Again, I've underestimated the time it takes to complete a project. Here's the back, front and half a sleeve of Salina... so no medal for me...

I was really hoping to finish it in time and I'm sad. But I'm still proud and happy that I participated in this challenge, it was a lot of fun knitting it while watching the games in Torino almost every night since the opening ceremony. And also proud of the amount I did, it's relatively good progress for a long-sleeve DK weight sweater in two weeks, so definitely an exciting and worthwhile two weeks for me nonetheless.

Knitting Olympics - Day 12's Progress

Only two days left and I'm still working on Salina's front. And I still have two sleeves to knit. I'm not giving up just yet, but it looks like I'm running out of time. But I'll try my best, so tonight, I plan to finish the front and cast on for sleeve 1 and hopefully go half way but that's hard. And for tomorrow, finish sleeve 1 and work on sleeve 2 and hopefully finish it. And on Saturday evening, do all the finishing. If I don't go skiing on Saturday I'll have a better chance, but I kind of want to go, we'll see, maybe I can bring Salina with me and work on it a little in the car on the way to the slopes? Anyway, tonight's the ladies' figure skating finals! I'm looking forward to seeing Sasha skate!

Knitting Olympics - Day 6's Progress

This is where I left off on Thursday, not a lot of progress on the front. I'm not knitting this as fast as I expected. I was distracted during my fun weekend shopping and ice skating. I stopped by Barnes and Noble and bought these two books. Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush and Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight.

I'm thinking of knitting more for baby Danielle, the Debbie Bliss jacket I made for her was so much fun. Maybe this cute dress?

The bear pattern is what made me buy the book, it's so cute and simple to make. So many pretty designs and so little time. And I want to make socks, too. I just love the sock patterns by Nancy Bush. I need to make a pair already. After the Olympics, definitely socks and these socks.

Knitting Olympics - Day 4's Progress

I hope everyone (the ones who celebrate 2/14) had a nice Valentine's Day yesterday. The husband and I had Japanese for dinner, it was very good.

Here's Salina's progress and finally a shot of it in sunlight. The back you see here is almost done. I like the waist shaping in this sweater. Can't wait to see how it'll look on me. I hope to finish the back and get started on the front or a sleeve tonight during the women's downhill skiing. It's great knitting in front of the tv, I've been getting so much done!

Knitting Olympics - Day 2

The blizzard from last night left us with at least 20" of snow to shovel today. It took us about 3 hours to finish, but we did take breaks in between. The block where we live is a slight incline, so we had some fun and did this...

whee!

I am so sore from the shoveling, so tired, I took a long hot shower, ate some dinner and an Advil, sat down in front of the tv watching the men's halfpipe snowboarding and made 3 more inches on "Salina".

Knitting Olympics - Day 1

I continued with Salina's back this afternoon during the Nordic Combined and Alpine Skiing...
5.33pm

beginning of waist shaping

I'm very happy with this color. I'm looking forward to wearing this, I like the tweed, it's nice.
9:18pmHad some dinner and made this much more before the figure skating. All the progress I made here are from one ball. I think I still have about 8-10 rows before I attach the second ball. This yarn is a good value, has good yardage. So what do you think? Not bad for day one, eh?

Knitting Olympics - Opening Day

Rowan Felted Tweed - color: sigh 148

I am so excited to be doing the Knitting Olympics! So this afternoon, I went to Yarn Connection to pick up the yarn for "Salina", it was on sale! 25% off, exactly 6 balls left of this color, so lucky, it's not everyday you see Rowan stuff on sale.

During the opening ceremony, I cast on for "Salina".

Looking forward to the Alpine Skiing and Figure Skating!

Knitting Olympics 2006

"Salina" from Rowan Vintage Knits

I'm in! I'm in! It was a last minute decision I signed up after the deadline but I'm in! The Knitting Olympics, hosted by Yarn Harlot. Over 3000 knitters have joined this challenge, I just have to be a part of this. I want to make "Salina" from Vintage Knits using Rowan Felted Tweed, I'm shopping for the yarn tomorrow. All current knits are to wait patiently for 16 days. "Salina" will require my full attention for the duration of the Winter Olympics.

Let the games begin!

First Attempt at Fair Isle

After being tortured by Deli's demanding finishing needs, I think I'm entitled to cast on for two new projects. Two! I deserve it, no?

"Norwegian Stockings" from Folk Socks by Nancy Bush.


Where did the inspiration come from? From the talented Blossom over at Whispering Pine! Her beautiful work was so motivating, I actually bought the same exact color combination that she used. Silly me.

I bought this book a while back, just never made anything from it. I wasn't very experienced with sock knitting at the time and thought that this book would help me. Interesting book, the author gives a history lesson on early sock knitting.

This is my first attempt with fair isle knitting. I think I did ok for a first time. The stitches are pretty even. It was exciting watching the pattern come together as I knit. Very interesting and a lot of fun. I had no idea, I've been missing out! So far, no problems understanding the pattern. I love baby ull, so soft, it should get even more soft after a warm bath.

I also want to make the "Hanging Garden Lace Stole" by Sivia Harding, written for Knit Picks. I don't have a picture. Here's what I'm using.


My first lace project, the Paisley Lace Shawl, was very satisfying. Time for more lace. Who knows, I might have a special occasion in a few months when the weather gets warmer. I'll have something pretty to wear. I'll be using Knit Picks' lace-weight "Alpaca Cloud" in the color "Iris", 100% baby alpaca.

The pattern called for beads used in the cast on and cast off edge. I chose pink glass beads, it goes with the color "Iris", a heathered pale grayish color with a touch of lavender. I bought the beads in a pack of 72 at Michael's for $1.99! (The pattern called for 70 beads.) I've never knit with beads before, I hope it doesn't look tacky.

I hope I made the right decision on these two choices, we'll see, hope it won't get tossed in the reject pile.

It Fits ! ! !

Here she is! Baby Danielle! Wearing her aunt Carin's creation! She's even cuter in person. I'm very proud of this sweater, it's very special, my first baby sweater for my first niece.

Patience is a Virtue

"Deli" from Rowan Classic Cafe
Yarn: Rowan Cashcotton DK in "quartz"

"Deli" has got to be one of the most tedious designs ever created! And also one of the most beautiful. It's a lovely design by Martin Storey. The lacey edging, the elegant bell-sleeves, so feminine, I love it!

Knitting the long lace edging was pretty boring for me. I was so tempted to cast on for something new, but since it was so close to completion, I had to resist. Overall, the pattern is very simple, very easy to knit, I wish it was a little more fitted but I'm still happy with the results.

Thank goodness it's finished, I was getting so tired of staring at all that purple. Couldn't have done it without my Ott light, otherwise, I might have been screaming "my eyes, my eyes!" :) Nah, it's not that bad.