Ron: With less than 24 hours until the 2010 Ravelympics kickoff, we're here with one of the contestants. Ms. Sutton, what you can tell us about this year's competition?
Toni: Well Ron, to date there are more than 8300 knitters from around the world signed up and ready to compete. Some will be competing on multiple events--such as perhaps the Scarf Super-G as well as Sock Hockey--while some of us are tackling a single, larger project.
Ron: So participants have 16 days to complete their events. That's a lot of pressure for what many of us would consider a grandmotherly-sort of sport.
Toni: Don't let the stereotypes fool you. Anyone who has ever witnessed the carnage at a 50%-off sale of cashmere yarn can tell you, knitting is not for the timid.
Ron: You're signed up for the Sweaterboard Cross and the Stash Compulsory Dance, which--let me get this straight--is an ENTIRE sweater made from stash yarn within 16 days. Is that correct?
Toni Yes, Ron, it sure is.
Ron: 16 days--that's a pretty big challenge. To attempt such an extreme knitting feat, is there training involved, or some sort of practice or preparation involved?
Toni: Definitely. This is not something to be attempted by the first-time knitter.
Ron What sort of training goes in to preparing for the Ravelympics.
Toni: Well, first the knitter has to learn to set ridiculous goals with incredibly tight time frames. Most of us achieve this by deciding to knit a Christmas sweater or afghan around December 1. Not every knitter can make it. Most don't--many spend Christmas eve with 4 pots of coffee and a nervous tic in one eye to get there. It's a grueling training process. Often there are tears...occasionally the knitting project will be savagely flung into a food processor out of frustration. Definitely not a sport for the timid.
Ron: With just under 24 hours before the mass cast-on, tensions are running high. Stay with us for our continuing LIVE coverage of the 2010 Ravelympics......
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