Knitting Like the Wind

...sort of. I don't do anything 'like the wind'! Especially knit.

Do you all know about Stephanie McFee, the Yarn Harlot? She's a blogger from Toronto with a readership in the thousands and a couple of book deals under her belt. These facts are testimony to her sharp wit and fluid writing style. I read her blog almost every day. Check it out.

The Yarn Harlot decided to create a knitting Olympics that coincides with the games in Torino. The rules are that you had to cast on during the opening ceremonies, that you have to be done by the closing ceremonies, and that the project must be a personal challenge.

For me, this means lace:


I've never knitted lace (have crocheted plenty). Reading the charts and keeping track of patterns has intrigued me, but I've been too chicken to actually pick up the needles and try. The above sample is the final sample of probably a dozen attempts. I spent most of the opening ceremonies and the first night of competition broadcast frogging samples (called 'frogging' because you riiip-it, riiiiip-it).

Finally, the samples stood on my last nerve. I switched to smaller needles and cast on enough stitches for a spring scarf:

It's actually going very well now that I'm into a real project. I believe firmly that everyone should make samples.....as long as it's not me! The adult ADD tried to kick in, but I bent it to my will and swatched enough to get a good feel for the pattern.

This cotton yarn had been waiting to be socks, but I think the colors are too pretty to hide in shoes. I'm using size 4 needles and the pattern is out of the book 'Folk Shawls'. Mine will be more of a scarf than a shawl and will have some scalloped crochet on the ends.

Will keep you posted!