Whew! Marathon olympic knitting really wore me out! I am happy to say that I finished and blocked my project by the deadline, and earned two gold medals for my efforts. The first one is the medal you see on my sidebar from the Ravelympics. The second was from my favorite LYS: Knitty Couture. Thi, the owner of Knitty Couture, and some of her loyal customers worked tirelessly last week making up cute pincushions in gold, silver, and bronze, backed with an asian-inspired butterfly print.

I had fun knitting the stole, but even up to the very end I was not confident that I would finish by the deadline. My LYS had thrown an additional challenge into the mix: In order to win gold, the item had to not only be finished, but blocked as well.

I love the ruffled edge.

And the delicate Swarovski crystals on the opposite edge.

Pattern: Hanami Stole [ravelry]
Yarn: Yarn Chef’s Buttercream in Peony, 880 yards
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace, size 3
Beads: Swarovski crystal 4 mm bicones in Padparadscha

I have decided to participate in the 2008 Ravelympics, an event for knitters that is concurrent with the 2008 Olympics. The challenge is to start and finish a project during the Olympic Games. I have entered the Laceweight Long Jump, and have already picked my project and my yarn. I am eager to begin the challenge!

Attention Knitters: I am eager to know if you are participating! If you are, what team/event(s) are you going to sign up for? What project(s) are you planning to knit? If not participating, why not?