Conflicted

I have to admit I'm slightly conflicted over the Olympics.  I have loved watching every minute and I've tried to avoid spoilers so I could be fully surprised when the USA Women's gymnastics team won, etc.  From archery, to swimming, to synchronized diving and women's basketball, to gymnastics, I've loved it all!  When I've been able to, I've watched the swimming events live online.  I'm glued to the tv from 8pm-midnight each night, with my knitting in hand.  I love everything about the Olympics, even the segments where NBC tells me about some random, unbeknownst to me athlete, and then I'm cheering for them to win two minutes later.  And crying if they did!

But here's my problem.  I need to sleep.  The adrenaline of a Notre Dame football game, or in this case, the primetime Olympic events, makes it really hard to fall asleep at midnight.  I'm wide awake and then find myself watching canoeing events at 2am (Ok, not canoeing, but usually I'm falling asleep and can't retain the exact info of what the heck event I'm watching). I can't be the only one with the problem, right?

I also need time to do other things, you know, like cook dinner, exercise, study, socialize.  I've tried to jam it all in to 6-8pm.  Next week, I think I'll feel like I have so much free time in the evenings again. It was nice to move knit nite to the local Mexican restaurant that has big screen tvs and Sangria, perfect for Olympics watching.



I will say, it has been nice to motivate Lil' Snowboarder with, "Hurry up...shower, jammies, reading all have to be done by 8pm to watch the Olympics" and that kid gets it done!  She's just as into the Olympics!

Of course, I won't complain about all the knitting time! 



I think we have a winner with this color combination! Thanks guys! I've had to put it on hold temporarily so I can finish a design, but hope to get back to this soon.  I'd love to finish it for the Ravellenic Games.

In other exciting news, if you are in Portland, please stop by my favorite LYS-away-from-home, Twisted.  They are having an IGK trunk show and all my lovely samples are there on display!!  I sooooo wish I could have squeezed in a trip to Portland this summer.  Next year!

Here's to another awesome week of Olympics watching...conflicted and all!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Go! Go! Go!

First question, are you guys getting any work done with the Olympics on??  It was soooo hard to go to work today.  Why can't I stay home, watch the Olympics and knit?



Next question, can you knit during some of those close races??  I'll admit, it was hard to knit during the end of men's gymnastics tonight and some of the swimming events!  But my shawl is moving along nicely and I'm loving the colors (thank you guys!!)!  I'll most likely put this on hold once I get to the lace section as I really need to finish my Sunshine Yarns design and I'm so close to finishing that.

My first Ravellenic Games project is done!



Now that I've knit this hat six times (easy peasy knit!), I really need to write up the pattern.  I wanted to do a "guy" version though, without the yarn overs.  Here it is in The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted, colorway Oz.

Reminder that Tuesday is the last day for my Olympic sale!  All IGK individual designs are 30% off when you enter the coupon code: goforgold  in the ravelry shopping cart.

Tomorrow night I'll be cheering on Michael Phelps as he goes for the gold! And go Team USA in the Women's Gymnastics!  We are even moving knit nite to a local bar/restaurant to knit while watching the games (well, and drinking margaritas!)!

Happy Olympics!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Let the Games Begin!

An exciting few days so far with the Opening Ceremonies and the first day of the Olympics!

 

I got in a pre-Olympics swim Friday with my new swim cap and goggles :)  Then headed to my sister's for a little Opening Ceremonies party!



I think Danny Boyle did an awesome job on the ceremonies!  Loved James Bond and the Queen, the children's literature part, David Beckham, the flame, everything!  I can't wait to go back to London....I have to say the city has looked amazing the last few days!



My mom even brought her knitting to the party!  I actually didn't make as much progress between chit-chatting and watching, but when I was home for the flame, this is where I was.



I was mulling over your advice about the color for my shawl, so I started on another quick Dotty hat (I know, I know, must write up the pattern! But I wanted to try a guy version without the yarn over this time).



This is where I was last night after archery, swimming, basketball, beach volleyball, and more!  And then after gymnastics and more swimming, I finished it last night!  Pictures to come soon!  I cast on last night with the gray and blue for the shawl (thanks guys!)!

So are you you enjoying the Olympics so far?  How's your Ravellenic Games knitting going? Favorite moments so far?  It was nice to see Ryan Lochte win gold, but I hope Michael can pull through for the rest of the games!

Just a reminder that my pattern sale continues until Tuesday, July 31.  Receive 30% off any Irish Girlie Knits Designs individual pattern when you use the coupon code: goforgold in your ravelry shopping cart.

Happy Olympics!!
xoxo Irishgirliekntis

Are you ready?

For the XXX Summer Olympics?!!  I can't wait!  My sister and I are already planning an opening ceremonies viewing party!

Of course, around here, the Olympics also mean the Knitting Olympics, or as they are called this year, the Ravellenic Games.

I know I'll be joining Team Plucky and Team Smackdown Smashdown!  I can't wait to participate, but I'll admit, I haven't trained properly.  I have a gazillion projects I think I might do and really have only committed to one, I think. 



I want to knit this shawl, but with two colors, to give another option when I publish the pattern.  I'm leaning towards the dark black with the blue, but have wavered between the cream and blue and the grey and blue too.  See, I'm so not prepared.





After that, I'm just not sure.  My list has varied between the following:

baby something
blackberry brambles shawl
Cotty fingerless mitts
baby snowboarder hat
another Dotty hat (another in progress new design)
completely new design  (sorta thinking not at this point)
socks, because you can never have enough, right Dad?

We'll see.  I still have another day and most of the "other" projects are a bit smaller.  What do you guys think?  Any opinions? Thoughts?  Oh, and I do have to finish the current design I'm doing for Sunshine Yarns, so that is going to cut into my time a bit too.

So have you guys all decided what you are knitting? Are you like me and haven't quite decided?  Just in case you are I'm offering a special sale this week!  In the spirit of the 30th Summer Olympics, I'm offering a 30% off individual Irish Girlie Knits Designs from now until July 31!  Just enter the coupon code:  goforgold  in your Ravelry shopping cart.

Happy almost Olympics!!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits