Olympic Fashion and the Knitwear Olympics

It's a fact. Because we wear so many more layers of clothes in the winter, the Winter Olympics always has lots more opportunities for fashion and trends.


And these red mittens that cost only $10 are the "must have" item of the games. People are standing in long lines for hours to have a chance to buy a pair --

All the worlds' big wigs have them!


Swatchless has a pattern with the maple leaf on one hand and 2010 on the other -- Frankly, I think you could knit a plain pair of red mittens, applique felt maple leaves on the palms, and embroider the olympic rings on the backside and they would be just as cute...

And the Hat designed by Ralph Lauren for the U.S. Olympic Team has already sold out...


At $65 retail it wasn't cheap like the mittens -- but no worries, because thanks to Helena Bristow you can download the pattern for free and knit one yourself (Oh, her baby valentine sweater is really cute too)!

But aside from the hat and the mittens, my all time favorite fashion statement for the Olympics isn't knitted at all -- It's the pants worn by the Norwegian curling team.


And what I like about them is not necessarily the pants themselves...but the attitude and spirit they convey when they wear them....Who doesn't smile when they see them! You can read their story in the New York Times here.

You can own a pair too...for only $89.95 here.

And one last thing...Since 2006, the Yarn Harlot has sponsored the Knitting Olympics -- where all the "athletes" start knitting a project at the lighting of the olympic torch with the intention of completing your project by the time the torch gets snuffed out.

Now, four years later there are thousands of people participating in groups -- Ravelry has the Ravelympics -- and I missed it AGAIN!! I just completely forgot. Next Olympics, I'm in! Is anyone doing it this year?

I'm starting my training today. Now go wear something crazy...