Are you a Ravthlete?

Those of you who are on Ravelry know what I'm talking about. Those who aren't.....well, here's a brief explanation. Ravelry is sponsoring it's own version of the Knitting Olympics: Ravelympics. Those who are participating (like me) are called Ravthletes. Cute, right? The rules: You choose a project (or projects) that will challenge you as a knitter, and you work on them during the Olympics. You aren't allowed to start until the opening ceremonies and your projects must be complete by the time the closing ceremonies end. If you chose a truly challenging project, it's pretty tough to get it done in time.

Two years ago, I participated in the winter Knitting Olympics, organized by the Yarn Harlot. I chose a great project: fair isle knee socks. I did not finish them in time. In fact, I didn't finish them until January of this year. I was not a successful knitting olympian. This year, however, I was determined. I chose a smallish lace shawl in fine laceweight yarn on size 4 needles. I figured I'd be lucky to have it done in time.

I was wrong. But in a good way. I finished it this afternoon---more than a week early. It was an easier pattern than I expected. It's a birthday gift for my mom (if you know my mom, please don't tell her...her birthday is September 16, so please help me keep the secret until then). The only real stumble that I had in this race was running out of yarn 1/4 of the way through crocheting off the final row. Fortunately, I found some creamy white Misti Alpaca laceweight at River Knits that matched the color close enough. It was a little finer than the cashmere I used in the rest of the shawl, but it was close enough.

Pattern: Hyrna Herborgar from "Three-Cornered and Long Shawls"