I am a (knitting) Olympian!

Ok, this post is a mishmash of other-place posts, so apologies if you've seen it before - I'm lazy in some things but since this is a record for me, I want to record the important stuff!

First - the Knitting Olympics. All hail the Harlot, and her twisted, enabling genius. :)
She has created, for our pleasure (or torture), the Knitting Olympics. Complete with logo!




Here was my initial reaction:
I am *so* in for this! What a terrific idea - thank you, Stephanie, for once again inspiring me! I will, for the Knitting Olympics, make my first-ever Feather and Fan shawl, out of "Alpaca Peru". I like the idea of a shawl for this, kind of like the towel around the neck or blanket over the shoulders at the end of an athletic event. Symbolic and warm and so so soft... wow, I'm looking forward to the Olympics even more now! Although I'm not sure how I'll do during the hockey games - I may need to switch off to something simpler whilst we Canadians capture double-gold hockey sticks again! :)

Here was my super-enthused public reaction:
The Harlot has struck again - she's posted a challenge to all to participate in the "Knitting Olympics"! One project, 16 days!

I'm "competing" in the Shawl event, with my first-ever Feather and Fan. There seems to be a big field in the Sock event, several Sweater athletes, and some crazy full-size Blanket/Afghan ultra-knitters. This could be VERY interesting, and fun too!

I may have to break the yarn diet to grab a couple more balls of Alpaca Peru - it's only 109 yards/ball and I have 4 balls... probably need a couple more? I'll have to go see Louise and Kelly (aka the LYS Wise Women).

And here is today's development:
Ooh man am I excited! I had decided for the Knitting Olympics to make a feather and fan shawl of Alpaca Peru. I had four balls in stash. A shawl will take 10 balls and no way to match the dye lot. This stuff is expensive... ouch!

So I pondered, and I argued with myself, and I finally made up my mind to just treat myself and buy 10 balls on the next paycheque. And then... and then... and then I checked eBay. And found 10 balls of Alpaca Peru at less than half retail price. *oh my!* I bid. I got the high bid. The auction closed less than an hour and a half later. YAY! I won I won I won! And then... and then... and then the nice lady who is selling the yarn says (via email), "oh by the way my hubby works right around the corner from you, how's about I get him to drop it off to you and save having to pay shipping and Pay Pal charges?"

SWEEET! My Olympic shawl-to-be is being delivered to my door on Friday. I am PSYCHED - this must be a good sign, right? Ooh, it's gonna be Pretty, and Warm, and Fuzzy, and WARM, and YAY!

SUCH a terrific end to the day. I can't wait to swatch (but I must, because I have 3 pair of wristwarmers and 1/3 of a baby blanket to finish first). But OOOOH BABY! Score!

Finally, here is a picture of that same eBay yarn. Isn't it pretty? Mmm... alpaca-y. So soft, so warm, so decadent, so - CHEAP! Woohoo! Honestly, I paid more for the Moda Dea "Aerie" for the Blue Fuzzy Thing than I will be paying for this. And this will probably last longer, wear better, and be far superior in every way. Assuming, of course, that I can figure out the darn pattern. *ahem*

I will remember to swatch... the swatch is my friend.