Story last updated at 2/24/2010 - 5:01 pm
Never in the history of the Olympics has the competition been so close to our little part of the world. Scenes from the snowy sports revel in the beautiful scenery and rich culture we as Alaskans share in every day. And what’s more, we as crafters are invited into every level of the activities as well, from crafty mascots, to killer costumes and even our very own crafting Olympics.
Every four years the Winter Olympics bring us a new slew of winter mascots. This year adorable and cuddly Sumi, Quatchi, and Miga both remind us of home (Miga is a half-bear, half-orca creature) and remind us to get crafty.
From the official Web site at www.vancouver2010.com/mascot you can play games, learn history, and get creative with the furry sasquatch Quatchi and friends by downloading print and fold versions of themselves and free coloring pages. Take it to the next level with amazing mascot cookies—check out the tutorial at www.sweetopia.net. Or get creative in your own way and create a crocheted, knit or sewn version of the friendly fellows.
Perhaps cuddly and crafty is not quite your style. Are you an Olympic fashionista whose craft is creating the perfect winter outfit to keep those cold days away? This year USA is represented by Polo Ralph Lauren’s puffy jackets and cozy caps, which are only topped by Canada’s Hudson Bay Company knit deer sweaters and quilted and appliquéd jackets. And don’t forget to whip up a red and white toque (you know, Canadian for hat) with tassels and a pom-pom for the full effect.
Tired of standing on the sidelines and watching others get all the glory? You have just a few days left to join one of the many Knitting Olympics brought to you by crafty bloggers. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, a.k.a. The Yarn Harlot, challenged knitters worldwide in 2006 to participate in her first Knitting Olympics. By the opening ceremony she had nearly 4,000 takers in her challenge. To participate a knitter must commit to the creation of a project of his or her choosing within the 17 days of the Olympics. Conveniently enough the Yarn Harlot competes this year on her own home soil as a native Canadian. Check out the competition at www.yarnharlot.ca.blog.
Also try http://knotanotherhat.typepad.com/ out of Oregon who has her own competition, or join the Ravelympics over at www.ravelry.com. Ravelry, a social networking site for knitters and crocheters with more than 400,000 members, has a well-mapped Olympic roster including the Cable Cross-Country, Beading Biathlon and the Scarf Super-G among others. Logos, medals, scoreboards and even a cafeteria to wind down and chat after the big games make this the place to be if you can’t travel to Vancouver in person.
However you celebrate the athletes and crafters of the 2010 winter Olympics, keep in mind the motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius”—Latin for “Swifter, Higher, Stronger,” or Southeast Alaskan for “Craftier, Cozier, and More Creative.”
Tanna Peters is a crafter and designer from wonderful, rainy Southeast Alaska. View her latest creations at www.alaskacrafter.com and her shared site craftaddicts.blogspot.com. Send local craft inquiries and info to tanna.craft@gmail.com.
