Using the wonderful merino/alpaca from Snowline Alpacas in NSW. It is about 12wpi so a sport weight

Am very excited about this blanky!!

On and off on and off - Off again as of June/July 2011

Back to hibernation since I cracked in to a handspun blanky for therapeutic purposes!

21 April 2011
We have been so busy that the enthusiasm of April 9th writing didn’t actually eventuate in any Girasole knitting :) Sitting here on the caravan bed I have figured out that I was almost finished with row 27 of Chart C when I last left off. I will check that all the necessary stitches are still on the needle and then it will be ready to start up again.

Right, all is in order and have completed Row 27 which is final row of Chart C. So now on to Chart D!

9 April 2011
Yes it really is almost a YEAR since I last touched this poor hibernating blanket! I think I picked it up after it had dried out from the previous misadventure detailed below, but couldn’t figure out where I was up to in the pattern and something was a bit fishy, so I put it aside and that was that! Extricated it from our sea container yesterday however, and now that it has travelled all the way over to Tassie (having started in NSW, then to Perth WA, then up to the Pilbara and now across to Tassie!) I think I really ought to pick up those needles, tink back if necessary and then knit on!! Knit On I Say!!

22 June 2010
Oh no! After motoring ahead for a while I am now stalled once again! This time due to my backpack accidentally being FILLED WITH WATER, and my knitting becoming saturated…

2 June 2010
Have stalled the last few days and turned attention to another project for two reasons - firstly I have new yarn so of course am rather excited about that! But also…. I finished a lace round on Girasole and had TWO EXTRA STITCHES LEFT! Oh no!! Will have to recount and check that I did it all ok…

26 May 2010
How rude!! The security staff would NOT let me take Girasole and the needles on to the plane with me! I even had my knitting bag OUT of my backpack, so they could clearly see the knitting, and opened the bag to show them etc etc.. they took out the knitting and scrutinised it! Then they muttered together and said to me, “You’ll have to check these in.” When I asked why and reminded them that by THEIR OWN rules knitting needles h ad been allowed since Dec 25 2009 she replied “But you see these ones are metal, and very pointy” …. I was too exasperated to take it any further. Honestly, either there’s one rule that knitting needles ARE allowed, or there’s not! It’s DISCRIMINATION!!
p.s. In to Chart C despite security interference.

24 May 2010
Coming along nicely :) Have knit Chart B and am adding more rows here as I’d like a GINORMOUS Girasole. Will try to add more rows where possible in spots such as this.

19 May 2010

After a disastrous start involving completion of chart A and following 6 rows, then realising i had HALF the required stitches, ripped out and then sat idle waiting for MONTH upon months…
I have finally started this one again! Adjusted the Commencement date above since, well, I’ve only really commenced it again now!

Loving this - I think it will be wonderful, and a great use for these three HUMUNGOUS balls of alpaca/merino blend. Plus, we’re keeping this blanky for ourselves :) What a treat and delightful treasure!

Have noticed also, that I originally was using 5mm needles and now am using 7mm!

2010 Jan 15
Okay, this has gone on long enough - the hibernation has GOT to stop! Have a few other things on the go, but am picking up the needles again on this one to do a bit here and there and keep it trucking along!

Have had to rip back all that I had done so far, since somehow I ended up with HALF the stitches I should have had? Ah well.. I’ll pay more attention this time around!

2009 Oct 22
Completed first chart yesterday evening and pulled the magic circular cast on! So incredible, highly recommend using this cast on method - it’s unreal!

(originally cast on Oct 18 2009)

Project progress weighting:
Chart A - 4% - DONE!
Chart B - 4% - DONE!
Chart C - 7% - DONE!
Chart D - 35%
Charts E/F/G - 35%
Edge H - 15%