Gold Medal...out of reach.

Well, much like the USA Hockey and Curling Teams, my Knitting Olympics Gold Medal is just not meant to be. However, i do not feel like a failure at all. I have accomplished much. Of the 5 pairs of socks i set out to create, i managed to fully complete only one pair so far (the flame is still lit!).


Colorway - Connolly

Yes, yes...they are not finished in this photo but trust me, they are done. I've worn them, they've been washed today and are now drying so i can wear them again.

The idea of 5 pairs of socks may have seemed insane...ok, and it really might be, i'll give you that. In my mind, it seemed attainable because three of the pairs were going to be made of the same type of yarn as this pair. These are made with a non-traditional sock yarn, in fact, not a sock yarn at all. These socks were knit using Knit Picks - Shamrock which is a heavy worsted weight yarn. working this yarn into socks creates some of the thickest, squishiest, yummy warm socks many feet in my family have ever worn. Deb had a pair, they were accidentally shrunk by a friend helping with laundry and now my step-mom owns them. I've made my Dad a pair. And my Mom has a pair as well. Hmmm. Who else needs a pair? ME!!!! I need some!! So, that's where the whole idea of knitting the 5 pair came from. I figured i could knit 3 pairs of socks like this for myself and then two other pairs. Only one of the pairs is done and no other one begun. I will go forth and continue my task even if it is not finished by the deadline when the flame is extinguished this night. The remaining sets of socks will be in these colors...


Colorway - Beckett


Colorway - Graham

And, Deb will get a new pair too in this color...


Colorway - Quinn
I did however make significant process on another pair of socks...


Yarn is: Scout's Sway in Coloway - Cookie. I can't even remember when i bought this, it's been so long ago. I'd really have to go back and check my blog posts to figure it out. This pair of socks has one whole sock completed and i'm 2/3 done with the leg section and heading on to the heel flap. These are a belated birthday gift for someone. Shhh!! My intention was to have them finished on time, but we all see how that went. Ooops!

the other part of my Olympic Sock Knitting challenge was to learn a new technique in sock knitting. I purchased the book "Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles" - by Cat Bordhi. A few other knitters i know, swear by knitting on two crics and so i thought i would give it a try. Well, i've not made much progress really...


Yarn: Trekking XXL Colorway - 100. I know i bought this yarn at The Knitter's Nest back in Eldersburg, Maryland so it's been in the stash a while. Too bad the lighting in my picture is off. I'll get a better shot when they are done. What you see in the photo is how that pair still sits. One sock only that far along.


I was trying to get a few more artistic looking shots of this yarn because i love it so very much. Wait. Hold on. What's that in the background?


Why yes, it's my Official Yarn Sniffer/Sock Inspector...Scout.

And his sister was here...


...pay no attention to my socks and bloomers in the laundry basket. LOL! :)

I do have a bit more to say on the Olympics and the whole Knitting Olympics experience this time. I think i'll shock some people and save it for another post. Closing Ceremonies are on now and i'm going to go knit some more!


~Suz~

Knitting Olympics - Game ON!

Oh yes my pretties it is THAT time again! I am so completely stoked that The Yarn Harlot has come to her senses and decided to host the Second Official Knitting Olympics! I love me some Ravelry and all but the Knitting Olympics, in my opinion, is completely the Harlot's Baby! It would not have been the same without her, however, i would have gone boldly forward and progressed as if she were hosting the event and have done it in her honour (<~~~spelled that way on purpose because she's Canadian, eh!). In case you missed the first Knitting Olympics...you can read the initial challenge set forth, here in 2006. This is, after all, only a Winter Event. Little did The Harlot realize how big, no...how HUGE the Event would become, when all was said and done, thousands of Knitter World-Wide had stepped up to the challenge.

This was me in 2006 taking on my first Lace Knitting project...ugh!
***WARNING: Crazed Knitter Alert!!!***


I figured i needed the mud mask!

I even had my own support crew cheering me on...

Deb and our niece Katie were in charge of supplying me with coffee. We were living in Maryland with Deb's family at the time and Katie was visiting for the weekend. Oh how times have changed...


Katie is now a married gal with a brand new baby boy. Austin was born on January 13th, 2010. considering that they live back in Maryland i bet she's sure glad her due date was before the HUGE ass Snowstorms!

Anywho, back to my first project...here's the outcome....


A closeup of "Branching Out" from Knitty.com. Mine was made double wide.


Blocking that sucker out on my bed. Notice the Knitting Inspector? Our dearly departed girl, Luna. Awwws, i sure miss her!

This year my Knitting Olympics Project is all about socks! Socks!! SOCKS!!!
I love to knit socks on dpn's (double pointed needles, for you Muggles), however, i am going to break down and learn a new technique. I have purchased a copy of Cat Bordhi's books "Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles" and also two sets of size 2 circular needles from Knit Picks collection. I am looking very forward to trying them out!

So, not only am i learning a new way of knitting socks, but i have come up with a number of socks to knit from Opening to Closing Ceremonies. In the Spirit of The Knitting Olympics Challenge, i have decided to push my limits and attempt to knit 5 pairs of socks in the 17 days. Yes, i said FIVE Pairs. That's 10 socks in 17 days!!

Stay tunes for further updates...

~Suz~ :)