Polite people would use a different word.
But let's be honest:
My Ravelympics goal, which I knew was lofty and difficult and challenging (but that was the point); well, I failed at it. I set out to spin and knit a sweater in 17 days and I didn't accomplish that.
The risk of failure
incites action.Without this challenge, I would have never begun. I have been talking about knitting a sweater from my handspun for months but without this challenge, it would still just be a dream.
Not only did I commit the goal, I worked hard towards it; spinning 400 yards of beautiful yarn, swatching, designing and knitting half of a sweater in 17 days!
The risk of failure creates commitment
The feeling of true commitment to something I really want feels great! By focusing all my knitting energy on one project, I've accomplished a lot, reminded myself what I'm capable of and started creating a sweater I am SO happy with.
And that was the point: to create a garment that I'm proud of, that fits well and that feels incredible. The timeline was just a little push to do it faster and with more focus.
Failing leads to success.
Failure in the Ravelympics isn't failing at knitting and spinning. It's failing at one goal. The overall goal is (still) to knit and spin an entire (wearable) sweater and that is still well within my reach. Risking failure with the Ravelympics is leading me towards success in the overall goal.
This is just a little reminder to myself and the other failed Ravelympics Ravletes (and regular athletes, too, I guess) that what we created during the Olympics could never be a failure because we were, simply, creating.
Jill B
August 28, 2008 at 8:09 pm (16 years ago)Well said. You’ve got my vote. Oh wait, am I bleeding the two seasons (Olympics and DNC) together?
At any rate, seriously. well put.
mel
August 28, 2008 at 11:24 pm (16 years ago)What a GREAT post. In this case, failure is something to aspire to, some of us absolutely need goals and deadlines to get us moving and whether or not we finish by the date doesn’t matter nearly as much as what we accomplish and what we learn in the process. Bravo, your sweater will be marvelous!!
liz aka hobbledehoy
August 29, 2008 at 12:50 pm (16 years ago)wow, what beautiful work!
HandMade Goods
September 2, 2008 at 4:25 pm (16 years ago)i can’t believe you did all of that in 17 days! amazing!
ernaternat
February 6, 2009 at 12:28 pm (16 years ago)thanks!
madonnaearth
April 2, 2009 at 10:44 am (16 years ago)I love that yarn!
You started the 17 by spinning the actual yarn? Duuuuddddeee! I am in awe. Even if you didn't finish, I am in freaking AWE!
This is big. This is like yarn harlot started a ravelympic institution big.
I have never done a ravelympic, and I'm not sure that I want to. I am going to knit a sweater though.
madonnaearth
April 2, 2009 at 2:44 pm (16 years ago)I love that yarn!
You started the 17 by spinning the actual yarn? Duuuuddddeee! I am in awe. Even if you didn't finish, I am in freaking AWE!
This is big. This is like yarn harlot started a ravelympic institution big.
I have never done a ravelympic, and I'm not sure that I want to. I am going to knit a sweater though.