Crossed the finish line

Well folks, it's official!  I have finished my Olympic knitting challenge with days to spare.  This year I challenged myself to a pair of color work knee high socks.  I wanted to improve my color work skills and I'm pretty sure I accomplished that.  These socks really flew off the needles although I feel like the second ones took longer because I kept misreading the chart and having to rip back a needle or two and redo it. 

When I first saw this pattern my initial reaction was "I have to have these" and "Wow, it only takes that much yarn?"  I have enough yarn leftover to make several hexipuffs for my Beekeeper's Quilt so it's a double win.

I do not have a great picture of the back yet.  It's a little difficult to photograph your calves by yourself.  :)

I really think I could have knit the entire sock on size 2 needles.  You can't see it from here, but my left toe is a little loosey.  This pattern was nicely written, it was easy to follow and even if I hadn't been against the clock, I think it would have been fast anyhow.  :D

Olympic Knitting Day 12

I feel like this second sock is taking forever even though i have only been working on it for a few days.  I really shouldn't complain as it is a hand's width away from the heel.  I feel like if I have the colorwork done by Wednesday night I can easily finish my sock before closing ceremonies on Sunday!

Olympics Day 7

I wasn't able to work a lot on my sock today, reality got in the way :D  But I was able to finish the heel and start work on the gusset.  Unfortunately my elbow has been bothering me (perhaps marathon hours of knitting?  :D ) so I called it an early night for knitting.

I feel like my body has been being a poop this week.  First what I'm pretty sure are shin splints and now my elbow.  Luckily they are things that get better with some rest and a little relaxing, but it sure makes me feel a little old :)

Olympics Day 6

My sock has been flying off the needles quite rapidly.  I am really excited about it.  :)  Here is my progress as of today!

Olympics Day 3

I've been glued to my TV today watching the Olympics.  :)  My favorites from today so far have been the rookie beach volleyball girls.  They did fantastic!  I also watched my first ever water polo match (okay, watch is giving me waaaay too much credit; it was on and I flicked my eyes in its general direction a few times).  Synchronized swimming was awesome, a few swimming trials and of course, gymnastics.

I joked to my husband that knitting intarsia during the Olympics makes it difficult to always watch when I want to.  So I have to plan my breaks a bit and be cognizant of what is coming up to catch the good stuff.  But I've been making do, take a peek!

It even fits!  :)

There are a few spots of tighter knitting but overall it is turning out better than I hoped!

Summer Olympics

I love the Olympics.  Growing up I remember being glued to the TV with my mom watching gymnasts bend, twist and flip in complete awe, gasping with her as divers plummeted from the high dive into the pool with barely a hint of a splash.  Four years ago when I started learning to knit, I spent almost the entire 2 weeks at a girlfriend's house working on my first toddler sweater (in sticky Red Heart acrylic yarn on metal needles; the thought still makes me shudder :D ) and holding my breath while Michael Phelps swam.  Or two years ago during the Winter Olympics my SIL came over and we watched the opening ceremonies and casted on our respective knitting projects.

This year is no different.  As I sit here watching the men's gymnastic trials, I am pushing myself again with a new project.  I love the theory of colorwork and my first attempt at it was the Paper Dolls sweater.  With that experience behind me I feel confident going into these socks!  My progress so far....

Front flower pattern

Back leg shaping

 

So far the colorwork isn't pulling/puffing too bad, so that makes me pretty happy!  Until next time, happy knitting and go Team USA!