My favourite famous knitter and Canadian citizen, the Yarn Harlot (aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee), has convened the second Knitting Olympics and I’m competing. 

The challenge?

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.

I’ve taken the pledge …

I, a knitter of able hands and quick wits, to hereby swear that over the course of these Olympics I will uphold the highest standard of knitterly excellence.

I will be deft of hand and sure of pattern, I will overcome troubles of yarn overs and misplaced decreases. I will use the gifts of intelligence and persistence (as well as caffeine and chocolate) and I will execute my art to the highest form, carrying with me the hope for excellence known to every knitter.

I strive to win. To do my best, and to approach the needles with my own best effort in mind, without comparing myself to my fellow knitters, for they have challenges unique to them.

While I engage in this pursuit of excellence and my own personal, individual best, I also swear that I will continue to engage with my family in conversation, care for my pets, speak kindly with those who would ask me to do something other than knit …

I’ve chosen my triple lutz, the Simple Cotton Bath Mat by Purl Bee in Rowan’s Handknit Cotton (first lutz shown above). 

And along with 2,000 (!) other knitters, I’m competing for the honour of displaying this medal on my blog:

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