Olympics Closing

Well, the official party is over except for the cleaning up. And I'll guess that there is a lot of that going on today. And soon the accounting and handwringing and what ifs and evaluations will start.

But I want to enjoy the good feelings and the pride for a day or two longer.

Those were our athletes who won 14 gold medals. Those were our athletes who won silver, and bronze, and came oh so very close in so many events. Those were our athletes who did their very best and, hopefully, enjoyed the experience and learned from it for the next Olympics and their future lives.

Those were fellow Canadians partying in the street and singing the anthem. Those were fellow Canadians showing the world a good time.

No major demonstrations or violence that I have seen reported.

And I enjoyed the Closing Ceremonies although much of the humour probably went over the heads of many. And the way the glitch with the one part of the cauldron was handled I thought showed a lot of class and Canadianism. The very end got much more youthful and rocking which I am sure many were ready for as "the old folks" would have headed to a staid reception or, for those at home, gone to bed.

Had some great suggestions for the name (thanks Scrooge and Mandy) and really considered all of them. However, for 13 Olympics, everytime you turned on the TV we got to see Brian Williams. He has covered the very best and the sad times and everything in between and, to me at least, he is an essential part of the Olympics. So the name chosen (drum roll please) is Brian William Beaver or B.W. Beaver.

Now to start knitting the requested "family".

And to admire the Gold Medal I won for setting a challenge and completing it.

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Contest and Prize

Thought it not fair to have a contest and not name the prize.

The contest is to name Beaver. For the Olympics I have been knitting the pattern for the larger pictured animal. I have now reached the point where he is all sewn together and has to have a wash to shrink him. (Presently he is about 10" tall so will be a bit smaller than that when finished.) That will make him nice and soft and not show the stuffing.

I think he is coming along nicely but he definitely needs a name.

It has to be a "polite" name as my Grandchildren have been known to occasionally read my blog. It has to be a name that conjures up his history, or origins, or reason for knitting. And while the two suggested are great, I would like more options.

The prize -- how about his brother or sister. I am willing to make another one the same large size or the smaller version. Could also make a hedgehog in the colours of your choice.

The winner will be choosen after the Olympics end so you have a few days to submit your suggestions.

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Olympics - Day 10

Certainly Celebrating today!

Scott and Tessa won Gold! As if winning Gold wasn't enough, they are the youngest ever to do so and the first North Americans to do it. A full North American sweep would have been good but I am thrilled with the final results. Their program was awsome and they are enjoying it. Just loved watching Scott's reactions! Hope they savor and enjoy every moment of it.

The shawl is all knit! Lace definitely needs blocking before it looks good but I like it even now. The name given it by the pattern developer is Limberlost Luna. It will wait awhile for blocking as that takes a lot of pins and hard work and I never said anything about doing it during the Olympics.

Have a Board meeting tonight so not sure how much knitting I'll get done. Off to shovel snow just now so I can get to swimming. Have missed 2 weeks and I need it now!

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Olympics - Day 5

Back to work Wednesday after 7 days of not doing too much. Well, I did a lot on one day but paid for it the following few days. Still feeling very weak but improving.

Beaver - did a few rows, ripped them out as thought they were wrong, worked them again and got same result so guess I was doing it right.

Shawl - finished the wing part and did a few rows of the open lace. Have 5 or 7 more to do then start the edging.

Olympics -- watched the snowboarders, some hockey, and other highlights. Off to watch the men skating tonight.

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2010 Olympics - Day 2

Finally! A gold medal won by Canada in Canada. Took us 3 Olympics but we finally did it. And by what seems to be a very, very nice young man with a strong supportive family. Hope he will continue to be an outstanding representative for the country and his sport.

Only knitting I did - half a row on the shawl and ripped out 6 rows.

Saw the Grandson for a few minutes up close then he had to leave to play hockey. Saw his game - final wa 4-1 for them and he got a goal so that was good. Mandy had played in the morning and caused the parents a heart stopping game as her team had been 3-0 at the start of the second and she let in three goals. Third period her team scored so all was well. She did have her 10th shutout the day before which earned her some rewards.

Taught her some Kumihimo so those are my pictures for today.


Also shopped with her and Jess so now they can wave their patriotic mittens.

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2010 Olympics - Day 1

Didn't watch much Olympics and didn't do any knitting. May come back to bite me knitting wise but went out shopping for the two colours I needed to finish the project. Paddy Green and a true yellow are not colours I have in my stash. Found out they are not colours found easily in the type of yarn I wanted. Finally settled on a yellow but the green was much more difficult!

Watched the Women's Moguls and felt every bump as they hit the moguls. And how do you practise the jumps? Impressive skills and could easily see why the Gold and Silver winners were who they were. They did such fantastic runs!

Now if only the demonstrators would smarten up and realize that good press is better than doing damage and throwing things.

Now off to see some grandchildren.

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Opening Ceremonies

Well, they weren't perfect and they weren't like China's but I enjoyed seeing them.

We don't celebrate the Native people as much as we should and I was glad they were given the position they were given. If only it was done every day and not just for the Olympics. The ceremonial dress! The dancing! The energy! What a great start.

And when k.d.lang sang -- that gave me goosebumps. Was so glad to see and hear her in that position. Have seen an article since that several prominent singers did not appear but there is always the closing ceremony.

Was impressed by those chosen to carry the Olympic flag. What a nice assortment of people. Especial hooray for Betty Fox.

Could think of several I would have preferred to light the outside flame instead of Gretzky but can understand the reasoning behind it because of the Gold medal team.

With the eventual lighting of the inside torch, I cast on the first stitch for my Beaver. Lots and lots of short rows and counting but it is fun seeing something develop and trying to figure out exactly what part I am working on.












Before the lighting, I worked on my shawl as that also was part of my challenge -- to get caught up and finished the last 2 clues during the Olympics. Nearing the end of the wing design and then lots and lots of the openwork area for across the top and down the sides. (And a special pat on the back for those who noticed and questioned the white thread just down from the needle. That is considered a lifeline so, if I notice a mistake down or row or two, I can take out the stitches knowing they won't go down past that point. It pulls out easily and won't show once the shawl is blocked.)

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Olympic Preparation

The training for these games has been done for years in learning to knit and read patterns. Now comes THE test.

For an outline of the challenges and expectations, please take a few minutes to read this Feb 12 post from the Yarn Harlot.


She is makeing a full size Icelandic sweater -- in 17 days -- with all those colours! Not for me.

I have had this book for several years and there are many items I have wanted to make from it but haven't. This year I am going to.

There has to be someone in the family who would appreciate a stuffed beaver - after I want to give him away. Will have to see how he turns out before I decide if there will be just one or several and who will get him. If nothing else he will have to get a red and white jacket to go with the Hudson Bay jacket shown. Or maybe, if I can find a good picture, he could get a knit coat like the presenter assistants are going to be wearing.

Just a few more hours -- when the flame is lit -- and I can cast on.

Hope you will also be enjoying the evening.

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Olympic Challenge

Four years ago I made myself a vest because of the Olympic Challenge that Stephanie started. (The picture is from the advertisment of the kit. The design is sheep done in shadow knitting so the design is only seen from certain angles. Had never done shadow knitting before so it was a real challenge to follow the charts and learn the ideas behind the process.)

This year, she has laid down the challenge again and again I will answer.

The year I am going to make some Beavers from the book "Knits From the North Country" edited by Cindy Nicholls. I have wanted to make something from this book for ages. To challenge myself to do something "Canadian" when the Olympics are in Canada but not just the red and white which I wouldn't use a lot of afterwards and the shaping involved with the animals and coats seemed like something doable and yet an effort. Also hope to catch up and finish the KAL shawl that I am working on.

And also to do regular postings of my progress. Should make an interesting 17 days.

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