Ravellenics Wrap-Up

Well, everyone, the games are over. I am in games withdrawal, since I am an absolute, official Olympic Games junkie. No more pool poetics or track terrifics or gymnastics dramaturgy. Oh, and let's not forget volleyball of all sorts.

Initially, my two completed Ravellenics projects are posted below. I'm really thrilled with the two shawls I completed.

My Counter Revolution Colour Revolt Shawl,
from What Would Madame DeFarge Knit?

I'm still working on my Chi-Chi cowl, and that should be wrapped up in short order. I completely failed to work on a cowl that's been in process since February. I will get to it, I will get to it ...

Here are the things that will stay in my memory from this Olympiad:

1. The strength of womens' sports: I must agree with NBC's commentary that this was the womens' games. While several of the mens' medal favorites didn't live up to pre-games hype, the women, by and large, far surpassed expectations. Moreover, female team sports is where it's at. Full stop.

Remembrance of Great Yarn, my version
of Lily Go's Remember Me Shawl

2. Usain Bolt plays possim really well: Did he even run as fast as he really can at any point during the games? I'd say maybe (and that's a shaky maybe) in the final team relay event. Otherwise, I'm convinced he's still got more in the tank. Scary.

3. It's nice to see authentic excitement and exuberance: In our post post-modern, irony-filled world, Missy Franklin's genuine love of her time in London is exactly the breath of fresh air we needed. She has integrity far beyond her 17 years. Go Missy Go. 

4. Those English do put on one hellofa show: London has never looked so good, and British humor was in top form throughout the 17 days. Team GB also had a fine host run of it - good on them.

5. A final shout-out to our Miss Intrepid: Did everyone see all the places Mary Carillo went and all the things she saw during the 17 days? From Shakespeare to Welsh daytime drama to bog snorkling (yes, snorkling in a dirty bog!), high British tea to drinking green sports shakes with athletes, there was no place or thing beyond Mary's reach. And she reported on all of it with good humor and genuine fun. She deserves the gold medal for late-night games reporting. Hat tip, indeed.

Now, only less than two years to Sochi.

Ravellenics + Fiber = 17 Days of Fun

Well, everyone, it's finally here - The Olympics! I'm a big fan of the games - and yes, despite the USOC, I'll be watching swimming and gymnastics and track and field and, and ...

Of course, I'll also be working on projects for Ravelry's companion event - the Ravellenic Games. With well over 500 teams and more than 10,000 people either participating or "watching" the fibery action in the dedicated Ravelry group, it plans to be an outstanding Ravelry community-building event. We love that. Here's a run-down of the particulars of my participation:






1. Team Cooperative Press Gearheads







I am co-captaining this modestly-sized team, and I couldn't be more excited. I've got fiber for my projects all ready (well, I do need to do some ball-winding today). At the moment, it looks something like this:

A combination of stash yarn + lovely Wonder Why Gal

handspun for my The-I-Can't-Think-of-a-Snappy-Name

Cowl, a Sarah Wilson design from Knit Edge Magazine

+

Another combination of stash yarn + the ginornous

hank 'o wool I won from Vivian over at Bits and Pieces. This

is going to become my version of Dawn Ellerd's Colour Revolt

crochet shawl from What Would Madame DeFarge Knit? 

+

a swatching project to be discussed later

2. Team 12 shawls in 2012

I'm one of over 100 participants on this team - we're going to be making a lotta shawls! My project for this team:

Absolutely gorgeous merino silk from a swap that is
destined to become Lily Go's Remember Me.



3. Team Hopelessly Overcommitted

While I am officially this team's mascot, it probably best describes my current state, so I'm going to attempt to complete a somewhat longstanding project that's languished since the end of February:

This is supposed to already be a
version of my La Poetique Cowl for me;
let's hope I can make it happen during
this uber-crazy Ravellenics challenge.



So what will you be doing during the Olympics? Do you watch, couldn't care less, somewhere in between? Do let me know here, as well as over at Andrea's blog. And whatever you do, have fun!

Anyone for an Online Book Launch?

As I mentioned on Wednesday, I'm co-captaining a Ravelympics team for Cooperative Press. A group of designers and CP fans are gearing up to knit and crochet all manner of patterns from Cooperative Press-published books.

By the time of the games' opening ceremonies, we'll have several more titles from which to choose. Cooperative Press, the indie publisher that can, continues it's 2012 publishing frenzy with the first four titles in its Fresh Designs series. Knit scarves, shawls, womens' sweaters and designs for men are slated for release - and there's going to be an online launch party! It's the afternoon of Saturday, 6/30, and it's free, but you'll need an event ticket, so go here to get yours.

I'm excited about this for a few reasons - this series has been in the making for at least the last year, so seeing the fruits of Cooperative Press and the designers' hard work will be a real thrill. I also want to support my fellow designers ... and maybe I'll spot a design or two that I might like to craft during Ravelympics.

And if any of you are looking for a Ravelympics team, and want to get in on the Cooperative Press wonderful madness, there's still plenty of time to join the team. You know prizes will be involved.

Now make certain you check in at Andrea's blog to see what other prizes everyone has been working on this Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday.

Floating Together, a canvas I created in 2009 while I
was exploring squares

It's a Good Time To Be a Crafter

Despite our tough economic times (or perhaps because of them), there has never been a better time to be a crafter. There is a wealth of craft information, resources, and quality materials - I have never known a better time to source all of the excellent yarns readily available today. The same goes for books and patterns - such a wide range of styles and techniques, and with the advent of e-publishing, more ways than ever to get your crafty fix. It definitely warms the cockles of my designing heart.

Along those lines, I thought I'd fill you in on two new publications in the works. I note that while I currently have no contributions slated to be published in either work, I won't deny that might change! Nevertheless, both are worth a look because they will be taking approaches I (and believe many other designers and artisans) value - fresh and interdisciplinary.

First up is the newest effort from Cooperative Press, Knit Edge Magazine. Here is how Shannon Okey, CP's founder/owner/gal-who-does-everything recently described it:

     "I kept getting a lot of feedback after my last editorial gig that readers really missed the in-depth articles, the super-meaty good stuff I liked to publish. Articles about art knitting. About historical stuff. You know -- not another 'hey look it’s [insert something you’ve seen 800 times before]!' And since CP has a lot of books like that, or in the works, well…it all started to resolve itself into a clearer picture of what needed to be done. ... There will be patterns, but it won’t be a pattern-oriented magazine. If I had to compare it to existing or previous mags I would say it’s more FiberArts or Yarn Market News, and less Interweave Knits or VK."

Knit Edge Magazine will be an e-publication with, potentially, a print end-of-year best-of edition. I must admit, I'm not so certain about the Yarn Market News connection, since YMN (from the same people that bring you VK) is a publication geared to yarn shops owners, is not readily available to most of the general public, and is very narrow in focus. Despite those caveats, Knit Edge Magazine should have the distinctive CP fresh look and feel. Look for it, I think, sometime this fall.

Additionally, Genet Quarterly is the newest vision from Hannah Thiessen - who's currently in Uruguay finishing up the latest Malabrigo pattern book. From her Kickstarter page, here's Hannah's description:

     Genet Quarterly is an "inspirational" -- a devotional for crafty and creative folk who love seeking out and learning about different topics that help them keep inspired while creating. Each issue focuses on a carefully selected topic and visually explores subject matter related or connected to that topic through fashion, textiles, home decor, and artisan handiwork. In addition, the topic is explored through insightful articles written by knowledgeable crafters and researchers.

The first edition, which will be available as a free pdf download, is scheduled for a September publication. I'm certain Hannah would greatly appreciate any funding you'd like to add to her Kickstarter.

It's going to be a great fall for craft. I can't wait.

Don't forget to get over to Andrea's blog and see what everyone else is excited about. Have a great, crafty, weekend!