Gold Medal Ornaments

I did it! I completed my crochet challenge and have reached the gold medal podium for the 2008 Crochet Games of Ancient Greece!

Since the 2008 Summer Olympics started, I have completed 10 covered ball ornaments. Each one took about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to make. This was my first time crocheting with thread, and it was a learning process (I had to go up three hook sizes so the covers would come out the right size!) and my hands and eyes will definitely need a little break from the fine thread and tiny hooks, but it was great fun and I will be making more. And let me tell you, when you make the same thing ten times in a row, it's easy to memorize the pattern!

Standard ball ornaments bought in January at the after-Christmas clearance sales - $1-4 a box; size 10 crochet thread from my stash - $0; ribbon - $3 for 3 huge grab bags full; size 2 Boye steel crochet hook - $1.99; tapestry needle for weaving in the ends - $1.29 for a pack of 6; having some Christmas presents already done in August - PRICELESS.