The 2012 London Olympics is less than six months away, so one would imagine that all of the athletes from around the world are training hard in anticipation.

Many sportsmen and women will have their own regimes and practices that they carry out to ensure that they are in the best shape for the Games.

Some will exercise for hours every single day, others will eat a strict diet, and some participants will have weird traditional customs that they do for good luck.

However, one British team player has confessed that she prepares for the Olympics by spending quality time knitting and reading.

Rachel Cawthorn, a leading sprint canoeist, has admitted that she relaxes in her free time by immersing herself into Harry Potter books as well as getting the knitting needles out.

Cawthorn perhaps may be onto a worldwide trend because knitting really does have its benefits of calming the mind and body which is important just before a huge sports event. A competitor needs to be comfortable and stress-free to be able to go into a sporting race without any other worries and fundamentally, have their eyes on the prize.

But that doesn’t mean that only sportspeople can enjoy knitting as a hobby. If you have come home from a demanding day at work; put the kettle on, put your feet up and let your anxieties melt away by knitting a scarf or jumper for the little ones.

Ulster Weavers bone china mugs are perfect to drink out of when engrossing in some good old weaving and better still, treat yourself to a scrumptious piece of cake afterwards that has been stored decoratively in one of our gorgeous cake tins.

Our cute cosies will keep the pot of tea piping hot so fret not if you become so consumed into knitting that you forget about your brew- Ulster’s tea cosies will keep it lovely and warm.

Check out Ulster Weavers.com today to see how we can make your past-time that little bit special…

Today marks the official six month countdown until the Olympics!

The 2012 Games is kicking off from 27^th July- 12^th August and the Paralympic Games will start from 29^th August until 9^th September.

So there is no better time than now to get prepared and involved.

But what has been going on as of late to get ready for the summer event?

Well London 2012 has announced plans for schoolchildren across the UK to take part in sporting and cultural activities for World Sport Day on 25th June; and the first major exhibition of David Hockney’s works has been launched as part of a countdown event for the London 2012 Festival.

With only half a year to go, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has outlined the next stages in preparing for the biggest sporting event of the year.

The main structures on the Olympic Park have been completed by the Olympics Delivery Authority (ODA) and now London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has started to transform it into a fully-operational venue. It has been fitting out venues and stage testing and licensing events, and constructing 100,000 square feet of Games-time retail space.

Further work includes installing the ‘look and feel’ of the Games throughout the Park and sourcing a million pieces of sport equipment.

As part of the milestone celebrations, get involved with Ulster Weavers London 2012 homeware range.

We have a vast array of products which are perfect for the home, as commemorative memorabilia, and as gifts for the whole family. And there is a plethora of collections to choose from with matching co-ordinates so there is bound to be something to suit your taste.

From tea towels and bags, to oven gloves and tea cosies, there is a whole host of Olympics themed items to purchase to definitely get you in the sporting and patriotic mood!

The London 2012 Games is a significant event for all Brits to remember that will go down in the UK’s history. Being a part of the occasion is vital for kids of this generation to understand which is why we have a range of children’s aprons, bags and chef hats all themed with the official Mascots.

Union Jack Flag Pink Cotton Apron

Pictogram Blue Canvas Shoulder Bag

Tourist Icons Pot Mitt

Sport Relief 2012 is just around the corner and already the countdown has begun with only 65 days to go.

The annual event is taking place from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th March and it is set to be the biggest year of sport, especially given the fact that it is also the year of the London 2012 Olympics.

Over a million people are expected to take part in Sport Relief and join in with the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile to help raise money and change lives. And a wealth of celebrities are said to be getting involved.

A long list of famous faces is supporting the charitable event including singing sensation Olly Murs, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and actress Kara Tointon.

The money that is raised as part of the campaign will help people living tough lives in the UK and abroad and to generate even more cash, this year’s official Sport Relief single has been made by boy band JLS.

The former X Factor contestants, who have five UK number one singles and two BRIT awards, visited Uganda to see how the raised money helps transform people’s lives with education and assisting them to escapethe dangers of street life. And the lads will perform a special one-off concert during the Sport Relief weekend.

If you and the family want to get involved and take part in the Mile run, make sure you quench your thirst with Ulster Weavers cute child’s water bottles that suit all ages.

Why not carry on the celebrations into the home with our delectable range of ‘Sporting’ tea towels which can quite easily be used to mop up any sweaty brows! *eugh*

And if you like, why not check out our vast collection of London 2012 ranges. Get ready for the Games with Ulster Weavers homeware!

A giant patchwork has been created by a team of knitters in Leicestershire, in England in support of the London 2012 Games.

The blanket is part of an exhibition celebrating the Olympics and Paralympics and you too can prepare for the most exciting sporting event of the year with the help of Ulster Weavers.

We have a vast array of products that are dedicated to the Games including Team GB designs, the Olympic museum historic collection and much more.  The Union jack range is perfect to showcase British pride and the Tourist Icons range is spending for the thousands of foreigners who will be travelling to the UK to watch the magnificent occasion.

And the kids can get involved too to celebrate the upcoming Olympics with the children’s mascots Wenlock and Mandeville ranges. The funky guard packable bags are super cute and the chef hats and aprons are perfect!

Whether you want to buy a memorabilia item to keep for years to come to pass onto your grandchildren, or just to use now, Ulster has a massive selection of Olympics homeware to choice from comprising of tea towels, oven gloves, shopping bags, tea cosies and more.

So as everyone around the country becomes eagerly anticipated for the biggest sporting event to come to Britain, make sure you are ready with Ulster Weavers fantastic giftware and textiles. 

Team GB Black & Gold Tea Cosy

Tourist Mascot Cotton Tea Towel

Union Jack Flag Pink Cotton Apron