As part of the Ravelry Ravellenic Games that I wrote about earlier, I started my project whilst watching the Opening Ceremony on Saturday. I didn't watch all of the ceremony but there was some beautiful sentiments and I loved the huge cheer the Refugee Team got from the stadium. Heart warming.

Sunday was an exciting day for our household, my daughter went to school with Mack Horton so we were very keen to watch him swim in his first Olympic games the 400m Freestyle.

Having easily qualified, his final was at 11.30am. We were over the moon that he won the race and received the GOLD medal.

Meanwhile I was knitting my swimmer washcloth, in perhaps a less than Gold medal performance. I slightly changed the pattern to create a solid border, this proved to be a mistake as the sides started to curl up. Also the yarn I chose was way too soft and knit loosely, I should have knit the 10ply cotton on 4mm needles not 4.5mm.

Anyway I'm not giving up, I'm going to try another one and this time add Macks name to top and send it to him as a gift.

Hopefully he will be successful in his next race the 1500m .... we will be cheering - and knitting.

Knitting may not seem to be the most athletic of activities. Basically it is making amazing things while sitting, drinking tea (or wine) and often watching telly!

However, did you know there is actually a 'knitting olympics'? Even though the olympic committee got cross and didn't want them to use the term Olympics, the clever peeps at Ravelry have created the Ravellenic Games.

If you'd like to use your couch time to join in the fun while watching the actual Olympic Games you can easily join in.

It really is just a bit of fun, no training or special diets required - in fact, you can snack away while competing!

The rules are flexible, very flexible. The idea is that you chose an 'event' category for your project and everyone casts on this project during the opening ceremony. For those who live in time zones not Olympic game 'friendly' - like Australia, you just cast on when you can. Unless of course you Aussies are planning to get up at 6am on Saturday morning to watch!

There are 15 Event categories - listed here.

If you haven't heard of Ravelry or used this site; it is a knitters and crocheters delight and very easy to use - just create a user name and password and login. Then you will then be in Yarnia!

It's almost imperitive as an Australian to watch the swimming and as a regular morning swimmer myself I've chosen to knit a Olympic Swimmer washcloth. My daughters' school friend Mack Horton will be swimming for Australia in the 400m and 1500m races, so we will be cheering loudly for him - Go Mack!

I just downloaded the pattern (for $2).

So enjoy your knitting and enjoy the Olympics - you might even win a medal (pin)!