Crocheting (or Knitting) Through the Olympics

As a way to promote knitting/crocheting while watching the Olympics. Ravelry created the Ravellenic Challenge. Well, it's now less than 24 hours away from the opening ceremonies (and the mass cast-on). So, I've lined up the projects I HOPE to complete in the 2 weeks while watching the Olympics.
Here they are:

Homespun Granny Afghan

I haven't worked on this for almost 2 years now. I grew so-o-o-o-o-o-o bored with it! I REALLY want to finish it! I'm hoping the Ravellenic challenge will push me to complete it. It's my number 1 goal.

BUT......I also lined up a few other projects. In case I finish this faster than I think (or more likely, get sick of working on it).  A few blocks (3 to be exact) for my favorite charity JCCF. Two pink ones for our annual "pink blanket" to be raffled to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. As well as one for our "regular" blankets to go to injured rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. These are the patterns I've chosen. Freedom and Ribbons of Courage.

Then.......in case I need a little knitting. I found this SIMPLE knit cowl called 3 hour cowl. I enjoy making cowls and this looks like a quick knit. I've got a bunch of Bulky yarn I need to use up and wouldn't these make FABULOUS Christmas gifts?

That's my plan.........I'll let you know how it goes!

"Ponytail" Holders

Get it? Sorry.......I just couldn't resist! Not the best picture either......my model wouldn't co-operate! But, you get the idea. Anyway, I found this tutorial at Lionbrand. It was just the type of project I needed. I've been in sort of a knitting/crocheting slump lately. Kind of ho-hum projects that are taking me WAY too long to finish. They shouldn't. They just are!

These ponytail holders seemed like they would crochet up pretty fast and also make nice little gifts. So, I dug through my stash and found a few yarns that I thought would make nice hair ties. Here's what I found:



Some glittery yarns. After finishing the basic holder, I decided a little lace edge would be pretty. After you join the with slip st to beg ch 3 here's what you do: *ch4, sc to top of the next dc; repeat this stitch around to where you started. Finish off.

Textured and Self-striping yarns. After finishing the basic holder, I just added a round of sc to the top of each dc just to give it a little edge. You could easily do a hdc if you preferred. Maybe even a different color?

Novelty yarns. These I just held the novelty yarn together with a fingering weight yarn and crocheted the basic holder.

So, dig through your stash and see what you can come up with. They take very little yarn (maybe 20 yards?). Very little time too!