Eligibility: Any knitter who, embracing the "Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, would like to challenge themselves while embracing the Olympic spirit, and is just whacked enough to play along with me.

Concept: You must cast on a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, Friday, February 12, 2010 and finish before the Olympic flame goes out Sunday, February 28. That’s 17 days.

Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 17 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be. Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new knitter, then a garter stitch baby sweater might do…If you are experienced, use your own conscience.
3. While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don’t set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with pointed sticks because they haven’t slept in five days. ) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.
4. No casting on before the flame is lit. (The opening ceremonies run from 6-8 pst. If you can’t watch, then I’d pick a time in there.)
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may swatch before the games. (I consider this "training.")

Medals?
The Knitting Olympics has only a gold medal. (There is only do- or do not.) Finishers get a gold medal button for their blog, their name entered into a draw for a chance at a prize from me, and the joy of knowing that they are an Olympic level knitter, no matter how experienced they are. You are only competing against yourself. (Well. And the Olympic schedule.)

Who’s in?
If you’re just crazy enough itching to be part of the Knitting Olympics, fill in this form, and your name and link will show up on the list of athletes here. (Many thanks to the clever and competent David, who made that page go and offered to host it.) Consider carefully. Done right, this will suck up 17 days of your life and be an epic work.

(Crappy button made by yours truly. Really good button for finishers will be made by Franklin. Feel free to swipe and save to your own server.)

What am I knitting?
Whistler. I figure that if I’m going to propose that you all take this on, that I set a fine example of being so completely out of my mind it’s almost scary embracing the ideal.

17 days, many knitters, one dream. The Knitting Olympics.

Good luck.

1. I finished the yoke on the Wild Apple and am now on to the miles and miles of mindless stockinette.  It’s a nice change, but I miss the colours already.

At least I have the yoke to pet and admire as I go.

2. I keep forgetting to tell you that I’m signing at Madrona in Tacoma this Friday from 5-6 in the Pavillion Rotunda at the Hotel Murano (thats where the conference is).  There’s an awesome marketplace that’s open to the public too, so if you’re in the neighbourhood, please stop by and say hello. I’m not sure who’s selling my books in the marketplace, so I think it’s BYOB. (Bring your own books.)

3. David, who is as clever as he is handsome, is getting together a sign-up sheet for the Knitting Olympics that we’ll put up later.  I’m grateful for his help, and this is almost enough to have me forgive him for the thong he knit me a few years ago. (Long story.)  When we put it up this evening, you’ll be able to add your name, project and link and be on the official knitting athletes list.  David’s just putting the last little polish on it, it shall arrive here shortly, please do visit back to add yourself. The rules (such as they are) and the button (such as it is) will go up the too.