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Knitting and the Olympics

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hannah kearneyThere’s no question that knitters love the Olympics, if for no other reason than that they allow us to sit for hours in front of the television, knitting, in the name of patriotism. But knitting and the Games are connected in other ways.

One of the most shared images from the first full day of the Games (for fiber lovers, anyway) was the picture of the Finnish snowboard slopeside coach knitting at the top of the course. Word has it the coach and players are working on a scarf that will be handed off to Finland’s Summer Olympic team when it heads to Rio in 2016. How cool is that?

I’ve been told there are a few knitters among the contenders for Team USA (and no doubt for other countries as well. Figure skater Gracie Gold knits and snowboarder Jamie Anderson crochets (check out a piece with her from Interweave Crochet), as well as 2010 Olympics gold medal winner in women’s moguls, Hannah Kearney, who I actually interviewed before the Games last time around.

Another fun knitting and sport connection comes through Jimmy Beans Wool and Coats & Clark, which are the official yarn suppliers to the U.S. snowboarding and freeskiing teams, which means they get yarn, needles and patterns. At some ski events there’s even a tent where spectators and competitors alike can learn to knit.

And of course there’s the Ravellenic Winter Games, a challenge that has competitors knitting (or crocheting, spinning, whatever) a project between the time the Opening Ceremony happens and the end of the Games. I always want to participate and then have a million other things going on at the time, but I’m doing book knitting right now so the odds are good I’ll start and finish a project or two in this time frame.

How are you celebrating the Olympics? Do you watch and knit? I’d love to know what you’re working on!

Comments

  1. My Ravellenics event is Finishing — as in, getting the WIPs out of hibernation and doing whatever it takes to get them done, and as many of them as I can! I’ve washed & blocked two pieces, and woven in the ends, and completed the first of a pair of armwarmers (elbow length — what was I thinking?) and started the second. Tonite I’ll wash & block a wrap, so I can get the buttons on it before the Closing. And I’ll get out the sewing machine (!!!) to apply a ribbon facing to a cardigan so I can put snaps on it. Whew!

Have you read?

Adorable Ghost Knitting Patterns

Adding a bit of knitting to your fall decor is a lot of fun, whether it’s knit pumpkins or a bunch of adorable knit ghosts like these.

Knit ghosts can be super simple like this free ghost knitting pattern from Trixie Zynch on Ravelry. Using about 50 yards of worsted weight yarn, they’re worked from the bottom up and are super cute as a pair. 

This fuzzy little ghost from Forest Knitting Toys is holding a pumpkin and wearing a witch hat, though of course the accessories are optional, as is the fuzzy yarn. The main yarn is chunky and the ghost measures about 10 cm/4 inches tall. It’s worked in the round. 

Another fuzzy ghost in more of a Pacman style is this ghost plushie form South Stitch Girls. It’s worked in the round with bulky yarn and includes a sweet little bow you can make in whatever color you like. 

The ghost doll from Edith Grace Designs has little arms and a curl at the top of its head. The body is worked flat using DK weight yarn and you could also work it in glow in the dark yarn for extra fun. The body and head are worked in one piece with the arms knit separately. 

The Grim Grinning Ghosts from Susan Claudino are super cute and you can knit them in any yarn and gauge you like to make ghosts of different sizes. These are worked in the round with the body done in one piece and the arms are knit separately. The ghosts shown were knit in sock yarn, DK and worsted weight yarn. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Make a ghost with funny striped legs with this ghost shelf sitter design from Claire Fairall Designs. It’s worked in three colors of DK weight yarn, and the letters spelling out boo are made with strips of garter stitch sewn into shape.