Friday, February 19, 2010

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...

10 comments:

Gerry Krueger said...

Just visited ravely and was delighted by their sort option for projects... It said "sort by happiness" Is that wonderful or what...? I really need to do that... things like "clean the heating-duct grills" (which I am doing this am) would be at the bottom of a happiness sort.... I bet they a a few problems getting those young men to wear those pants.... Gerry K/

Dolores said...

Those mitts sold out BEFORE Christmas here (which upset a lot of shoppers) but in January the stores were stocked again.

Ati said...

Haha, those pants made me laugh the first time I saw them ;)
I am not in the Raverly olympic team but I knit every evening while the games are on. A shawl again ;)

Balwearie said...

I never watch enough of the Olympics to worry about trying to knit along but I might consider quilting something with Liberty prints for the summer Olympics in 2012. I think I could get it organized by then. :) I have watched enough of this Olympics to get a hankering for a plaid hoodie.

Judy S. said...

I just had lunch with a friend who stood in line for 45 minutes to purchase said mittens before attending the ice hockey game between Sweden and Germany.Thanks for the hat link! Are you on Ravelry? Fun post....again! I decided I'm doing the UFO Olympics instead;; gotta whittle down those numbers a bit before casting on another major project/

Unknown said...

Hello! Just found your blog for the first time. The name is so cute! Great blog.

Linda H said...

I too got a good chuckle when first I saw those wild pants! Flashy or what? Susan I have to tell you that the red Olympic mittens are the nicest and warmest mittens I have ever worn, and I've been wearing mittens for over 50 winters. Not only do they look great on the outside, they are lined with fleece, so are very warm!! We gave a pair to our daughter and new daughter-in-law for Christmas- they were a BIG hit!

Ingrid Mida said...

I too love those crazy pants the curlers are wearing! What a hoot!

Marnie said...

Fabulous mittens, hat and pants! If anything could push me into a knitting class, it is that hat! Very cool.

Robin said...

Once again, our own personal and highly entertaining fashion reviewer!!! What fun is this! Robin A>

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