Knitting Olympics: Training

We're not allowed to start our Knitting Olympics project until the beginning of the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Games, but we are allowed to "train", as in knit up our tension swatches.

I was pleased to find I had enough of the DK yarn I wanted to use, Australian-made Carnival acrylic in a lovely Star Trekky teal colour.  It's going to be a hoodie for my nephew, who is -unbelievably - one at the end of March, so acrylic is perfect, as it's hardwearing and machine-washable.

I'm knitting the cable and rib hoodie from Debbie Bliss's The Baby Book, that I just bought with my christmas gift card from Steve and Karen.  It's cool to be able to using it so soon!  This event has given me permission to start a new project that I might not have allowed myself otherwise.

I'm looking forward to seeing if I can get it finished in the allotted 17 days.  I think I should, as it's not as complicated as I first thought, although the all-over cable pattern will slow things down a bit.

It should be fun!

One pair of socks

I have finally finished the pair of socks I have been knitting for K4BN.  The group had a box of sock yarn donated to it last year, and I have several ball of it to turn into socks.  I should be able to turn out another three pairs, at least, and then knit up tiny baby hats and socks with the remainder.

Sock yarn is good to work with, as it's quite a firm fibre, and the self-patterning aspect gives a fun end result.  They look much more clever than they really are, especially as I'd never undertake such a complex colour pattern otherwise!  I can't remember what inspired me to start knitting socks several years ago, but I really enjoy it, and have made socks for many members of my family.

This pair, and the others I do for the group, will go to a homeless person that needs them, and will hopefully make someone's day, and give them a bit of comfort. We get lots of lovely feedback from the agencies that distribute our handknits (and crocheted and sewn items), and I have been told of reactions that recipients have had to things I have made.  It's the best, warmest, fuzziest feeling, and makes me wish I had more than one pair of hands, and that I could just knit continuously in order to provide more items for people who need them.

People often question our activities, wondering why we would sit and knit a beanie, perhaps with yarn we have purchased (although we now receive a fair amount of donated yarn) when we could simply buy some from the shop.  Of course, anyone that knits a jumper, or socks (socks?!) is just crazy.  But the time and effort that we put into making these items is part of the gift.  Someone gets a warm jumper when all she has left is the nightie she was wearing when she escaped from domestic violence, and part of its warmth is the work that went into it.

I also like to think that there is a ripple effect with what we do.  Some "passing forward" of the comfort and warmth that we provide with our knitting.  Perhaps some restoration of faith in people, for those who have suffered at the hands of others.  Perhaps changing someone's day from hopeless to hopeful.

I've only made one pair of socks so far, but whoever gets them, will have warm and dry feet and legs this winter, and be able to walk around in a little bit of human kindness.  And in style!