I am delighted to say that I completed my Ravellenic Games challenge last night, 7 days ahead of schedule!   Whoop!  If you need a quick recap, here are links to my previous blog posts about the challenge, as well as my most recent podcast episode:

• Ravellenic Games Cast On
• Ravellenic Games Update
• Episode 43 Olympic Knitting

Here I am crossing the finish line on Ravelry (this was way more exciting than the screenshot suggests)…

The project (Berry Wrap) was a fast, fun knit.  It’s knitted in aran weight yarn so it grows very quickly.  It was a fairly safe choice for my first Ravellenic Games challenge, although as a slow knitter, I still had to work hard.  The Malabrigo Twist was heavenly to knit with and I love this particular shade of teal.  The photos below are a fairly accurate representation of the colour.  The wrap hugs my shoulders nicely and it is really warm.  In the past I have found that bulky yarn tends to make me look a bit bulky too, but this is is a nice, flattering design.  I think I will always prefer shawls in lace or fingering weight yarn, but this will be lovely for the cooler seasons.

I have never knitted anything so quickly; having fantastic entertainment on the TV as well as a proper goal was a massive motivator.  It’s been fun being part of Team Sasquatch.

I have a week of Olympic knitting time left, as I see it, so I am challenging myself to finish my 2  WIPs (works in progress).  These projects are Nympheas and pair of Vanilla Socks.  Unfortunately they aren’t old enough to qualify for the WIPs Wrestling event, however, I am motivated to finish them now so we’ll see how I get on.  If I finish these, aside from a few projects that are hibernating until winter, I will have no knitting.  There are loads of projects I want to cast on!

So without further ado, here are a few more photos of my Berry Wrap.  Keep an eye out for my Shawl Sailing medal on Ravelry; I haven’t quite made it to the podium yet as I gather it takes a few days.  But as soon as I do I will be wearing my new Ravatar with pride.  I might display my medal in the sidebar of the blog too, so keep an eye out.

***BREAKING NEWS***

As of 11pm this evening (Saturday 4 August 2012) I can confirm that I made it to the podium and have been awarded my Shawl Sailing medal (my first medal in the Ravellenic Games, ever!)  Whoop!