Ravelympics - Winter 2010

As with the official Olympic events, the closing ceremonies marks the end of Ravelympics.  I started the Winter 2010 Ravelympics with low expectations.  I just wanted to finish two WIPs that were languishing on the needles for a year.  I didn't want the stress of trying to finish multiple projects or even one complicated pattern.  But of course, as one project comes off the needles, another one is itching to get on.  I did challenge myself with each of the projects finished and entered in this year's Ravelympics.

The picture below is just a quick collage of the projects that were finished...

Clockwise from the top left: Sedum by Jane Richmond, Nola's Mitts (Pitts' Mitts) by Brittany Tyler, Olympic Storm (Storm Cloud Shawlette) by Hanna Breetz , Orchids and Fairy Lights by tiny owl knits

Sedum - Challenge:  finish it!

Nola's Mitts - Challenge:  fair isle or stranded knitting

Olympic Storm - Challenge: knitting a project with that yarn (!)

Orchids and Fairy Lights - Challenge: bobbles and cables

And look how cute the medals are that they give out!

 

  

Now the fun begins!  Malabrigo March is here and I've already got FOUR projects slated for the month.

Shroom

Mmmmm...what's better than knitting with one skein of Malabrigo - Worsted at one time?   Knitting with three skeins of Malabrigo - Worsted at one time!

I have, for so long, been searching for a hat pattern.  I vowed to myself, at the new year, that I would make myself one hat this winter and be happy about it.  This was tough for me because I've never felt like I look good in hats.  I don't know why...sometimes I think it's because I'm Korean/Asian though I think other Asians look perfectly fine in hats.  Those in the Boulder Knitting Collective (Snb) know that I've tried on many and ask for many opinions.  Well - yesterday I finally committed and finished my first hat for me.  This is the Shroom by Lee Wood Juvan from the Winter 2009 issue of Knitty.  I decided to triple strand with Malabrigo - Worsted (color - Marron oscuro) because I just couldn't find the right yarn that I felt had a similar weight as the Spud & Chloe - Outer...without cotton.  Here's the hat (no pics of me in it...remember...I don't like how I look in them).

10 in 2010: FO1 & FO2

There's a group on Ravelry, 10 in 2010, that is dedicated to getting you to finish ten FOs in 2010 (with some variety). I have two (knitting) goals this year: (1) knit more projects for me and (2) use up some of my stash and this group is helping me do this. I just finished my second FO this year and they're both for me! Yay...woot, woot!

First, Mondo Cable Cardi by Bonne Marie Burns. I had originally planned to knit this back in November with the Boulder Knitting Collective KAL but didn't. I knit this with Dream in Color Classy, Grey Tabby. The fit is perfect. I've used this yarn many times but always gifted the finished project. So this is my first Dream in Color for me. (Not a great pic of me but a good one of the sweater!)

Second, Nimbus by the Berroco Design Team. I think this was supposed to be a KAL with Bich-Thu but she's having a hard time nailing down a yarn that she wants to use so I went solo on this. I had some issues with my bind off on the shoulder for the front panels, which made the shoulders narrower than I would have liked, but it's still comfortable. Yarn used on this sweater is Berroco Peruvia Quick in Saddle Brown. This sweater is warm, light and comfortable. I lengthened the body by four inches and the sleeves by five inches.

Now on to a belated baby shower gift. I was hoping to have three FOs in January but I'm having issues with the doily I'm working on. More details on both later.