Jun 10 2009
Knitting like an Olympian
While I thought the Knitting Olympics was a clever idea, I did not join in back in 2006. Of course, I cheered many of my friends on, but I have always enjoyed deadline-free knits. In a way, I guess I have a deadline for this one – getting it done before we leave for the Vancouver Olympics in February 2010, but it seems more managable with all of this lead time… like eight and a half months of lead time for this one:
Kris’s Olympic Sweater is underway! I stopped by my LYS and did a little browsing. They did not have the full line of colors for Dalegarn Heilo, the yarn that the pattern calls for, so I looked around for a decent substitute. Kris liked the original colors of the pullover, so I wanted to stick to that – natural and navy. I was really pleased when I found a near perfect match in Reynolds Whiskey.
In the interest of actually getting this thing started, I cast on the same night I bought the yarn… and I have actually made a lot of progress considering the extremely small gauge (size 1s for the ribbing and 2s for the body) and the large number of stitches in the round.
I cast on for the 42″ size – and actually went down a half-needle size, because I 
want more of a 41″ for Kris – little bit of ease, but a nice fit.
260 stitches in the round
approximately 40 rows / 3.5″ of progress
= 10,400 stitches thus far
This few inches is about half the total number of stitches of some of the other sweaters I have made! The funny thing is that all of the things I have done so far are just the little bits at the bottom – easily overlooked. In the picture of the garment from the pattern pamphlet, the part I am working on right now is actually folded under on the model… no complaints, really, just noting that “traditional knits” often have this very small gauge. I am a modern knitter who deeply appreciates the tradition, so here I go with the tiny needles. So far so good!
This sweater is truly a test of endurance! fortitude! patience! resolve! Those are qualities of an Olympian, right? 
I am cheering you on for that one Lolly, such tiny needles! It will be great when done in the colours.
if you don’t mind my asking (i tried to look, but couldn’t find the answer):
what store is your LYS?
I’m moving to Ellicott City next week and, while I’ve not actively searched for a new yarn store, I’m not familiar with any in the area.
Thanks!
Speaking of endurance, fortitude, patience, and resolve, Pens fans have needed these qualities in order not to lose it during these nail-biting Stanley Cup finals. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you on Friday!
I’m sure this sweater will be beautiful when it’s all done. Just out of curiosity, what needles are you using? They look very pointy.
He must be the Love of your life! What a great way to show it!
Oh my – those are teeny tiny stitches on teeny tiny needles. And lots of them. Its going to be pretty fabulous though!
Good luck with the tiny needles and many stitches! It looks great so far …
This will be beautiful! I cannot wait to see the finished product and I know that Kris will cherish it.
Wow! A men’s sweater on size 2 needles! AND colorwork?!? You are ambitious! Can’t wait to see how this comes along.
We’ll all be cheering you on.. just like an Olympic athlete! Go Lolly! Knit for the gold!
Oh, that’s a pretty one! I’m collecting supplies to do the Whistler one with the maple leaf. I’ll be up there on business about 2 weeks before the Olympics start… any excuse to start my first Dale of Norway sweater.
That is one gorgeous Olympic sweater …
Oh wow, Lolly…that is definitely one Olympic-sized project! It will be gorgeous, though! Good luck with it!
Good for you!!! I, too, prefer larger-gauge garments (in fact, tomorrow’s blog post addresses that). Right now I’m working on a vest in DK weight and I’m a loose knitter so I’m using size 3’s. It takes awhile — luckily there are no sleeves!
Can’t wait to see your Olympic sweater progress.
Go go go!
I love keeping track of the stitches made, I’ve done so every month since last November (hubby was writing for NaNoWriMo (50,000 words) and I tried to beat that in stitches – totally did).
This project is truly something to be proud of.
Recently, I’m finding knits on smaller needles to be very rewarding. Good luck on yours!
Go Lolly!
That’s going to be tremendous!
There has to be something soothing about all that stockinette on tiny needles. I know I would enjoy it.
Good for you! Just think of it as knitting about – I don’t know – 10 pairs of socks???
It’s gorgeous already and I can’t wait until you get to the actual chart/picture part of the sweater. Go Lolly! Go Lolly!
Good luck! I bought some Falk at Webs last weekend and started mine too. I was inspired by your knits to just make mine already! I’m using 2.5mm for the ribbing and 3.25mm for the body and it’s so tiny. You’re doing a fab job on yours!!
It’s going to be wonderful – can’t wait to see it when you get to the top pattern. Take care of your hands with those small needles!
Good luck with this one Lolly, by the time you’re finished you will have the patience of a saint!
Love the cream + navy, although the stitch calculation is a little scary. I haven’t gone “there” yet on my projects for fear of terrifying myself…..
Looks gorgeous already! So impressive- you are definitely an olympian!
Oh WOW! That is a gorgeous sweater! And oh WOW the tiny needles and big sweater! I usually stick to bigger sized needles ’cause I know me….I’d never finish something like this! (I wouldn’t make a good Olympian!
But this is going to be gorgeous and can’t wait to see your progress on it!
wow! this is going to be AWESOME. i cannot even wait to see it finished
YOU GO LOLLY!
Yes, those qualities certainly are the qualities of an Olympian! It’s going to be amazing!
It is a test of endurance! It’s going to be amazing!
Wow! That is going to be an amazing treasure!
Holy Wow! Everytime you post an inprogress project i get the urge to drop what i’m knitting and copycat!
I’m so excited to see the finished sweater… happy knitting!
Wow, this is truly an Olympic-sized challenge! Size 2’s for the body?? 10,000+ stitches in 3.5″?!?!? And you want to do another for yourself?!?!? This is going to be the project of your life!!!
lolly, you make me want to knit more for others. your handknit gifts are always so thoughtful and beautiful.
you’ve inspired me to plan a really excellent project for my girlfriend!
Go Lolly! You can do it!
I’ve only commented a couple of times on your blog Lolly, I love reading about your joy for knitting and to be honest, it’s reignited mine to the point where I am having small success selling over here in NZ
I have to comment today as WOW – I think you’re so dedicated!! I really don’t think I would have the stamina to keep up with knitting on such small needles. I’d be worn out before finishing LOL. It really is a lovely sweater though, I can’t wait to see it as it progresses!
I grew up wearing sweaters like this, and I’m from the Lake Placid area, where the winter Olympics were held in 1980. This reminds me so much of home…
Wow – that is truly a labour of love! Very sensible of you to start so early!
The amazing thing about a Dale sweater and tiny needles is that is goes breathtakingly fast! The color changes and stitch details make it so interesting that it flies, you’ll see. I actually did 3 of the same sweater pattern (with individual detail changes) for 3 of my grandkids and loved every one of them (kids and sweaters).
wow, that’s a lot of stitches so far! kris better love this sweater
I love the feeling of knitting a sweater in such a small gauge yarn. Especially with addi needles, the yarn just has a slide and grace to it that chunky yarn doesn’t do for me. Slide and grace… perhaps like a winter olympian!?
beautiful! you’ll find that knitting small like that seems to fly by… and then it’ll feel strange when you step it back up to US5 or US6!!!
can’t wait to see more!!!
hugs,
Kyle
That’s going to be beautiful! I love fine gauge knitting, mostly how it looks when it’s done.
Those 8+ months might come in handy!
Such a beautiful sweater; I’m looking forward to your progress on it!