I’ve been planning a project like this for a long time, since my early days of knitting. I mentioned a little of the pre-planning I did in this post. Funnily enough, the arrival of my expensive American yarn coincided with the week before the Olympics, so I’ve decided I’m going to enter the Ravellinics for the first time. This means taking a small break from my League sweater, but I actually started making excellent progress on that over the past few weeks, so that’s okay. Check my Instagram (@craftycrusader) if you want to see what I’ve been up to.
The Ravellinics are the knitter’s version of the Olympics, where you are supported by the knitting community to challenge yourself and complete a project within the timeframe of the Games.
I’m quite looking forward to working on my Breton sweater while some of my favourite athletes do their thing. Like most people, I only care about athletics once every four years, but I am looking forward to the tennis. I managed to get some tickets in the ballot at London 2012 and it was awesome.
Anyway, before the opening ceremony, all I was allowed to do was swatch. My gauge came out pretty close to the pattern gauge and I couldn’t be bothered to swatch again with different needles. After blocking, the fabric came out nice and drapey so I was ready to cast on at midnight local time.
At five days into the Olympics, I am making good progress on this top-down knit. Since one of my 3.5mm needle tips broke, I’m having to improvise with different needles until the replacement arrives.
This is the top back of the sweater, the first part to be constructed. I’ve picked up stitches for the front on the two needles at the top in this picture. I then knit down and cast on stitches in the middle to join the fronts.
This is what it looks like on at this stage. Still a long way to go!
I have to admit that this shirt choice was deliberate. My aunt has some sexist builders working in her garden at the moment, and the shirt indicates the response that any further misogynistic remarks will get.
Pattern: Better Breton
Yarn: Squoosh FiberArts Merino Cashmere Sock in Eggplant, and The Lemonade Shop mini skeins
The Crafty Crusader 
xyoopx
It looks awesome so far. I must admit I have knitted and crochet a lot… but I have always been too afraid to try a jersey. It seems like way too big a project to take on.
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The Crafty Crusader
Thanks so much! I remember feeling daunted before I made my first jumper but it’s not much more difficult than any other project, and definitely a learning curve. Maybe use thick yarn so it goes quickly?
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xyoopx
That’s a good idea, I’ll definitely do that if I work up the courage to try. 🙂
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Katherine Hajer
I love the neck and armhole shaping! Looks like it will comfortable.
Sorry to hear about the misogynist builders. If it helps, the people I know personally who are the most upset by that sort of thing… work in the construction industry themselves. They’re mortified by association.
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The Crafty Crusader
That’s interesting to hear. The thing that bothers me is that they don’t seem to realise their comments are inappropriate. And they are friends of some family members so I don’t feel I can say anything.
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