The Ravellenic 2014 challenge was simply put:
Challenge yourself by starting and finishing one or more projects during the 2014 Winter Olympics. What will be a stretch for you? It could be a new technique, that first sweater or pair of socks, something massive, something delicate, or maybe finishing that monster in the closet. The goal of the Ravellenic Games is to support you in expanding your knitting/crocheting horizons.
After mulling it over for a day, the challenge I took on was to “design a new pattern, something I’ve not designed before, and knit it during the 2014 Winter Olympics.” That challenge resulted in the goal of: design a triangular shawl (something new) with drop stitches (something new and scary), and color work.
While watching the opening ceremonies, I reached for my needles to started bringing idea to life, only to discover the yarn was a tangled web of textured lace weight yarn. Chalk this false start up to new Olympian jitters. Two days later, I was off and knitting.
The no drops version of the shawl was knit in record time. But honestly, I was a bit afraid of the drop stitches. To ensure I had publishable photos in case the drops didn’t turn out, I stripped down to “spring wear” and shot the no-drops variation… in 39 degree weather.
With the deadline looming in just 48 hours, the drop stitches still had me shaking in my boot cuffs. It was now or never. I kept telling myself to meet all points of the Ravellenic 2014 challenge, dig deep, and find the courage to drop those stitches!
It was a fantastic afternoon of dropping! I LOVE drop stitches!!
Until…
The MISTAKE: The 2nd to last drop on the entire shawl and 5 rows away from the cast on side edge, I realize I made a knitting mistake. It was probably due to being mesmerized by the figure skating, ski jumping, or Canadian men’s hockey, but I accidentally knit a stitch, failed to slip it off the needle and knit that stitch with the next stitch. It wouldn’t have matter, except, it was one of only 18 drop stitches on the entire shawl. Dejected and self-pitying, I would not give up. Taking inspiration from the amazing Olympians, I soldiered on… all night, put my designer brain to work to figure out a solution without frogging two weeks of knitting.
The FIX: Drop the stitch that was accidentally knit into the same stitch as the intentional drop stitch down to the mistake. Unhook the stitch from the drop stitch row from the row next to it. With a crochet hook, ladder the non drop row of stitches back up. As easy as 1, 2, 3!
The Gold medal game in men’s hockey: Canada (oh la la!) against Sweden and with a night spent on a fixing the dropping error complete, I was set for a photo finish while cheering on Team Canada for one last gold.
The Winter 2014 Olympic events were so incredible I mucked up my knitting many times while watching the amazing feats of the athletes. The Ravellenic 2014 games were just as fun. Thank you to all who joined Team Eco Knitting!
Comments 1
That sounds very nerve wracking, so glad it was successful!