Archive for the ‘crafting’ Category
Yes, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) took on the knitting Olympics (aka Ravelympics) over on Ravelry, the two million member plus on-line haven of stitchers of all kinds. In their original letter, this was the statement that earned the ire of people wielding stitching tools (some of which are really really pointy things!):
“We believe using the name ‘Ravelympics’ for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games,” the USOC wrote in the letter. “It is disrespectful to our country’s finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work.”
OK, USOC, who do you think took these athletes to all their practices and training? Parents.
Who has sat through competition after competition, watching their young athletes prepare for their eventual inclusion in the Olympic games? Parents.
Who has sat in vehicles year-round waiting for their young athletes to be done with practice? Parents.
Knitting parents are known to prepare portable project bags to have on hand just for the occasions mentioned above. I’ve seen lengthy on-line discussions about this. What projects are best? Should they be easy or complex? What needs to be included in a travel knitting bag?
The bottom line, USOC, is that the Olympics are not only about the athletes. These athletes have gotten where they are through parents and their sacrifices over the years.
Parents have knit at little league games. Parents have crocheted during middle school basketball games. Parents have been there for their kids. Many many times with a craft in hand.
I have no idea what percentage of Ravelry members are parents. I have no idea how many parents of athletes are crafty people. But I’m guessing the USOC doesn’t know either.
For an event that didn’t even include the actual word “Olympics,” the USOC seems to have stepped into a big pile of doo doo. Makes me kind of happy that I am not knitting my way through Olympic trials.
Check out other Wordless Wednesday entries here.
