Olympic wrap-up

Published on by Jane
Well, it’s finished. In just over two weeks, this…

…became this:


I love how the yarn looks in reverse stockinette. I love the rainbow of colors, and how they look like painted shadows. I love that this sweater looks like it is moving, even when it is still. I love the buttons. I love that I managed to do it, to meet the Olympic challenge, and ended up with a sweater I can be proud of.

I’ve learned so much in these sixteen days:

  • I thought that my biggest problem was finishing something — after all, I do have many unfinished projects scattered around me — but I discovered that really, I’m just not a monogamous knitter. I need variety, and I think that’s what keeps my creativity alive. I’m glad that I stuck with this sweater, though, and that I gave it all my attention, because it had suffered for too long as the Yarn I Was Not Ready To Tackle. I’ve missed my socks, though. I’ve longed for the simple stockinette, round and round, mindless yet meditative.
  • I am not a natural Knitting Technician. I’ve designed and manipulated and tweaked and fiddled just about everything I’ve ever made, but I had to approach it differently this time, and I learned a few good lessons about technique. Your routine can be filled with razzle-dazzle, but if you fall on your rear end when you do a simple double jump, all the razzle-dazzle in the world won’t keep you upright and get you the score you need to advance in the standings. That, and it’s no fun to watch, either.
  • I don’t think I will ever be really satisfied with anything I make for myself, since I am never really satisfied with the body it is meant for. I am a work in progress, though. This time, with this sweater, I think I’ll let all that slide.
  • I do not have as much spare time as I thought I did. I’m a single woman living with one cat in a small apartment. I have one job, a short commute, and very few extra work demands at this time of year. My social life could be called, charitably, quiet. What gives, then? I have a new appreciation for how much time my job actually takes, and for how much time regular life takes, for that matter. It turns out that I really don’t have “nothing to do but knit.”

(The day is too bright to get a good picture!)

I have loved being a part of the Knitting Olympics, and I can’t thank Stephanie enough for her crazy notion. The knitting energy, the drama, the fun, the support from all of my fans in the stands — it has been a wonderful bobsled ride!

Now, how do I get to the medal ceremonies?

20 thoughts on “Olympic wrap-up”

  4. The sweater looks wonderful. I especially enjoyed reading about the things you learned while competing in the KO. It’s interesting to see all the different things the knithletes take away from this challenge.

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  5. The sweater turned out wonderfully! What a great reflection on your Olympic experience – I think ever knitter that has participated in the Olympics in the last couple of weeks has definitely learned something about how & why we knit. 🙂

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  9. Your sweater turned out beautifully! The buttons, the way the colours move in the sweater, truly and verily beautiful. I beieve the medals stand is right smack dab in the middle of your knitting spot…

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  10. Oh, Jane, I am stunned at the beauty of it! Great job! BRAvo! I agree that the yarn, pattern and buttons all make for a gold medal performance. And I am so impressed that you did it so fast! Are your fingers still attached? Or did they literally fall off?!:)

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  11. Aw, Jane, it’s a beauty. Loved learning about how you felt about the O.K. process as well as your own knitting methods & your own life. Quite profound.XOXo

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  13. It’s gorgeous! And it looks great on you. But… I can’t quite see where the cat in the first picture fits into the finished project. 😉

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  15. Sigh. So beautiful. What they all said. And best of all – that coming to know self – that would have been the best prize of all.And yes – I always wished that when I bought the pattern from the fabric store I got the body on the cover too. Never happened, alas. Thank you too for the artistic photograph of the doll house items.

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  17. Bravo Jane, you did it! And it’s beautiful. Congratulations! Congrats also on the inner journey – you extracted quite a lot of insight from the exercise. I wonder now if you’ll take a break from your knitting, or jump right back in?

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  18. Yippee! Hurrah! Congrats!!You stick the landing and take the gold fer sure dude. I’m so happy for you.Our little house had our celebrations too. I’ll post pics tomorrow. But the happiness is a direct result from all those points you made on your progress. It is good to grow and learn while we create, no?I’m glad you made such a wonderful sweater JUST FOR YOU. I look forward to seeing you wear it in person soon.hugs!

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  20. It is really beautiful Jane. I’m so glad that you have it and all the good memories of making it for this special “event” I’s say it’s a 10.Happy Knitting!

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