It's Been Grand!

Hey Team-

Have you seen this article in the Anchorage Daily news? http://www.adn.com/life/story/7488231p-7398352c.html

And has everyone read the Yarn Harlot's blog today? Inspirational. Linda, should we each post to Stephanie's blog individually, or are you going to send a team entry? (I just don't want to duplicate anything you might do.)

This has been so much fun, I hate to see it end. Linda, thanks so much for your work getting (and keeping) Team Alaska off the ground.

kathy (in Juneau)

Hanging My Head in Shame

Well, I tried, but try as I might, I just couldn't finish before the closing ceremonies were over (well, really, before I went to bed which was well before the end of the closing ceremonies). Although I got off to a great start, I think I started too quickly. I finished the first sock but just couldn't get past the toe of the second. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the challenge and did something that I didn't know that I could do. After all, isn' t that what the olympics is all about.

Photo Finish!

I finished my Olympic Knitting with a couple hours to spare last night, but for a while there it was looking close! So without further ado, here she is:



Pattern: My own
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver, only 1 and a half skiens!
Needles: US 8
Notes: Ribbing was done on same size needles because I couldn't find my smaller ones and didn't want to loose time going to get some. I think it's worked out, but it would look more polished with smaller gauge for the ribbing.
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, I like it better with a collared shirt underneath because the back of the collar sticks up a bit. For my first sweater I think it's a success!

Picture success...

Finally got the pictures of the Beau sweater imported! Here it is:

Dismount

Posting a little late, but - I finished with just 10 minutes to spare. The Beau sweater turned out most beautiful. Unfortunately, my camera is behavinhg poorly and I can't import the photos. (grumble, grumble). I was a bit nervous as it got down to the closing ceremonies that I wasn't going to make it, and then it happened. I was blocking. And it was done. Hurray! TEAM ALASKA Rocks!

Do, do, do, do, do, do, do (Hum the Olympic Theme)

Hurray! Another gold medal finish for Team Alaska! The shawl neck cardigan is complete. It took a late night training session but another Olympian has achieved her dream. Thanks for letting me join the team and for sharing all your hard work and fun stories!

Lisa W.

Another Gold Medal For Team AK

Hey Fellow AK Olympians-

I flew back to Juneau this morning after being at a conference in Florida all week. I was a bit concerned during the week as I had fallen behind the pace I set for sock #1. I knit between sessions and at night in my room with the "Other Olympics" for company and managed to finish the knitting while waiting at SEA-TAC early this morning. After I got home I just had to kitchener the toe of #2 and then block 'em.

So I guess I earned my gold medal. Bob Costas hasn't been by yet to interview me, but when he asks, I'll tell him that it's really not about the gold. It's about being part of this incredible thing that Stephanie Pearl-McPhee got going. I have enjoyed being part of team Alaska so much!!

kathy

Finished

I made it! I was starting to worry about finishing in time, so I turned it up a few gears near the end, just like Chad but without the snide comments to the Dutch, and was done by the time Bob Costas made he's closing remarks for the evening. I really enjoyed watching the Gala, though it wasn't quite as fun as the years that Elvis Stoyka (?) was participating. I'm going to try and finish up on a pair of socks I had been working on before I joined Team Alaska during the closing games. Diana

Almost there!

While on our trip to Arizona, I finished the two baby hats for friends that recenty had twins.

As you can see my kitty was pretty excited to see me and to help take the photo of the beanies!

Today I will hopefully pick-up and (here is the hopeful part) finish the short-rows collar on the baby cardigan. It'll be a squeaker!

Thanks for all the posts and photos! I am inspiried by the Dale beanie and booties. I too am intersted in some pattern swapping. All the patterns I've been using have been coming from the Baby Knits for Beginners, by Debbie Bliss (1570762481). This is a great little book for simple patterns that can be modified per your imagination.

Thanks all, off to my short rows!

Two More Knitters Cross the Finish Line!

I will admit, I got a little distracted, knitting mittens and booties to go with the Dale hat, and watching Olympics (a lot of excitement out there), but here is my progress photo. I’ve crossed my finish line, and completed the five hats that I planned to do, plus one extra preemie hat. Hurray!

I saw Cathy’s flamingo at her house the other day, finished and fabulous, gracing her TV as we watched Olympics with Knitting Olympian Cait, and some other folks. Cait and I knit and Cathy quilted. I hope you’ll have a chance to post a photo, Cathy! Choc, your sweater sounds great, glad to hear that you got it sewn up again. Anyone else finished? It sounds like lots of people are getting very close.
Linda

Sharing your pattern sources

Everyone is doing such great projects! I'm wondering about the patterns that you are all using. Thanks, Diana

Finished again

Tonight I undid the uneven side seam and resewed it so my patterns match front to back and my sweater is done. I have enjoyed sharing our experinces during the KO. It's been good to have a group to share ups and downs with. It's good to know that there are so many other knitters out there.

Choc

I finished sewing my sweater together on Sunday and wore it to work Monday. But when I looked carefully at the left side seam the pattern on the front did not match up with the pattern on the back. Augh! I will have to undo the lower half of the seam so I am not finished. As tink is when we unknit, is wes when we unsew?

Hope the rest of you have no problems matching your patterns and that you are all finished by the time the torch goes out on Sunday.

Choc

A Little Update

I finished the Dale baby cap last night, and blocked it this morning. Still have to sew the folded over edge to the inside, but will do that tomorrow. I started the matching mittens today and completed one. They have little picot edges, and will have a tie around the wrist. Will post a photo of all the hats when the Dale hat is completely done. The finish line is in sight!

Update from a Lower48 Contingent

Hi TEAM ALASKA!
I'm lovin' all your updates and pictures!

The Beau Sweater is coming along well. (Pictures will come soon! I promise!) I have the front and the back done. And am working on the sleeves. I'm knitting both sleeves at once. This is a new strategy for me, but I'm hoping by only having to do the sleeves once I won't get burnt out as fast. Do others of you do both sleeves at once? (two sleeves using two skeins on one needle) My goal is to finish the sleeves by Thursday night. ...must knit faster...

On another note - today I got "Needled to death" from the library. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Go TEAM ALASKA Go!!!

Going for the Gold!

Here's my progress on the sweater so far. I think I'm a little over half done! I get feeling a little frantic every time I look at that counter on the Yarn Harlot's page but I think I'm gonna make it! I have two more inches of regular stockinette stitch before three inches of ribbing on the bottom and then the sleeves. I've decided to make them short sleeves, so I think the goal is attainable! I got a pretty good bit of knitting in last night while enjoying the last of the ice dancing. I'm so glad the Americans did well! They were just great! Now I think I just need to keep up my momentum to get it done!

Might come down to the wire

Well, it's taken me longer to figure out how to post this to the blog than to knit almost an entire sock!

I'm nearly done with my first "fancy sock" - a lacy pattern using size 1 needles. I had some trouble with the heel..I had to re-do it two times. Hoping to start the second sock tonight and with any luck - and barring any problems with the heel on the second sock - I will be done by closing ceremonies. But it's going to be a tight race!

Finshed with first sock

Finished my first sock while watching the ice dancing. Weren't the American's fun to watch? They are so cute. And, what a soap opera with the Italians. I don't watch soaps and Barbara's dramatics made me want to turn off the tv for a while. Anyway, my pattern is by Knitting Pure & Simple, Beginner's mid-weight socks. This is my 3rd pair and if I actually get a pair that match, it will be a first for me. I'm using Rowan-felted tweed, color SH151 (purple).

Done soon with first sock

I have only to finish the toe on my first sock and then I can finish up the heel and start the gusset on my second. I was getting a little nervous about finishing up in time. Not to mention there are some incredible knitters on this team. I'm not even close to starting my masters, though I plan to try it. I haven't done cables, fair isles or lace. I will be doing a fair isles hat pattern as soon as I finish up the 3 projects I currently have in the works. Linda, I may be hanging out at your place to get some help when I get to that hat. Or at least pick you up and take you somewhere to knit with me. Ice dancing was pretty tough tonight. Can't believe all those falls and, luckily, only one person was hurt seriously. Had to stop knitting during the last few pairs. Watching the X-Country pursuit was a lot of fun, because my kids are skiing this year and really liking it. It was neat to hear my 8 year old explain to his grandma, whose up from California, what the differences were between the two types on skiing, including "air poling" in the living room. It's late, must sleep so I can stay up late again to knit. Diana

To The Sun!

TEAM ALASKA
The Socks and I are traveling to Florida for my conference tomorrow. (Do you suppose if I sit in the back and don't drop my little metal needles on the floor I can get away with knitting through some presentations?) I'm a bit behind last week's pace, but feeling ok as I'll have travel time and ALONE time in the hotel to make it up.

Don't know how much computer access I'll have. I'll be reading and checking in if at all possible.

I'm due back early Saturday and hope to have good news to post before the closing ceremonies on Sunday.

Keep on knitting!
k.