Olympic Knitting

Have you noticed the number of female USA Olympians who are sporting a patriotic manicure?

I did my own:

 

This was the first time I tried the Nail Artist paint, but I think it turned out cute.  The blue is Essie "Aruba Blue," the red is Sally Hansen "Cherry Red."


And the yarn?  Cascade 220 Superwash, ready for my next Hats for Sailors hat!

Here is hat #6:

My own design.  OK, I was inspired by a hat I saw while standing in line at JoAnn's.  The yarn is Classic Elite Bazic, color 2989 Pink.

I'm no Gabby Douglas, but I have won 8 medals in the Ravellenic Games!


 




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Ravellenic Games -- on the podium!

Wow!  I'm a Ravthlete!
Three times on the podium today, for both the "Hat Dash" and "Charity Rowing."


EVENT: Hat Dash
Onto their colorfully clad heads, crowned with warmth and beauty, we place the sacred wreath of the Ravellenic Games.

EVENT: Charity Rowing

They have given so much to so many. Now it is our turn to bestow our gifts on them. Rise and salute these generous Ravthletes, selfless donors all!

 

I've completed two more hats, for a total so far of five.  Amy cast on and knit a few rows on a hat this afternoon while we were enjoying a libation at the new Wyndam Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs.  Such a beautiful lobby and excellent service by Jennifer at the bar.


(photo shameless stolen from http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/COSME/main.wnt)

Here is hat #4, knit using the Strib Hat pattern from Ravelry:

The yarn is Classic Elite Yarns "Liberty Wool," color 7891.



And here is hat #5, knit from the Accessorize Me Hat pattern, again from Ravelry:

 

This yarn is Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash, color 837, "Berry Pink."

I've learned that I can knit stockinette in the round while watching a very good movie, "Moonrise Kingdom."  Five hats completed, 11 to go!

Thanks, Amy!






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Ravellenic Games -- She Knits, Too!

Quilting takes a back seat this month to knitting.  The Ravellenic Games are knitters' nod to the Olympics.  The knitters' own social networking site, Ravelry, celebrates sport by forming teams and setting goals for items knit (or crocheted) during the 16 days of the Olympic Games.

My team this year is Hats for Sailors, a group that knits hats for selected ships each year.

And my goal?  One hat per day!

So far, I'm keeping up -- but it's only the fourth day of the Games!

Hats for Sailors requires hats knit of 100% washable wool.  I rarely use washable wool, so I had to add to my collection (such a hardship).

Hat #1 is knit in Boise State University Broncos colors, because that's the only washable wool I had on Sunday.  This hat is really true Broncos colors, royal blue and bright orange, even though it doesn't look like those colors in this photo.

Hat #2 is knit in light blue and yellow. to celebrate the cyclist from Kazakhstan who  won the mens Road Race.  This one is a little more true to color:

Hat #3 celebrates the men's archery team, whose jackets are this pretty brown color.  I love that the US teams' uniforms are not just red, white, and blue!

All my hats so far are knit from Cascade 220 Superwash, using the 7 8 9 Hat pattern from Ravelry on size 7 needles. Hat #3 is modified with a twisted rib and peerie stitch pattern from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts, issue Holiday 2010.

Hat #4 is underway -- come back later in the week to see how it turns out, and cheer me on!



From the desk of your