You know that I have been spending most of my knitting time on making a blanket-sized Girasole. (I’m making it in Cascade Eco-Alpaca. I love this yarn. Mine is going to look very similar to the one James did.) I am done with all of the charts (yay!!) and am working on the 214 edging points. Really, I ought not to have figured out that total. As of last night, I had 54 edge-points done. This pattern has turned me into a chart reader and I couldn’t be happier about that. I need to be a chart reader – it’s faster than reading instructions line by line, and it opens up a lot more pattern options. It was a perfect first BIG chart project to knit. And believe it or not, I want to make another Girasole, this time in laceweight. I happen to know quite a few people who have made more than one. That ought to tell you what a great knit it is. (Edit – a few of you have asked in the comments if this is a difficult knit. The answer is no. That’s one of the beautiful things about it. It’s mostly K, K2tog, SSK, and YO. Maybe some of you who have made one can jump in on the comments below to share your experience with it. I find it relaxing to knit because each line of the chart is easily memorized – and I’m bad at memorizing – and it just goes so smoothly. That’s why I’m wanting to make another right away.)
I decided that I’d like company in this project, and am turning it into an official Loopy Knit-A-Long. Come join me! You can start now. Or if you’re in the middle of one already, join in with that one. Let’s say (for Knit-A-Long purposes) that it needs to be finished and photo-ed and up in the Loopy Photo Gallery by Oct. 1st. I predict many of you will be done in 3 weeks, because it’s addictive. But we’ll say Oct. 1st, officially. And that’s not all. We’re going to offer you a 20% discount on the yarn to KAL with us! The discount is good on whatever yarn you want to pick out to use for your Girasole project. It’s only good on one colorway/one yarn type, so make sure that you decide on the weight/color you want to use, before you put an order in. Since Web Guy is still out of the country and can’t doodle up an automatic code thing-y for us, we will have to manually deduct the 20% discount, after you have put your order in. (We don’t collect any funds from you until your order is packed up and is shipping out, so we’ll only collect the correct, discounted amount. When you get your “shipped” email, you can log into your Loopy account and click on that order to see what the final total ended up being.) Important note: if you want free shipping on this order, be sure to mentally figure your subtotal after discount to be sure that the discount doesn’t take you under the $75 threshold when we adjust the price. If the adjusted discount drops you below that $75 amount, we’ll add the regular $5.95 shipping charge back in. (And did anyone want to ask me how I feel about the post office continuing to raise postal prices? Because I’m happy to go on and on about it….)
To take advantage of this offer, you must add an order note to your order, telling us that 1) you are joining the KAL and 2) which yarn you are planning to use for it, so we know which one to apply the discount to. Like this:
“I’ll KAL with you! I’m making my Girasole out of the 9 skeins of Cascade 220 in blue that I just bought.”
or
“I’ll KAL with you! I’m making my Girasole out of the skein of Perchance to Knit Lace in Berry Sorbet that I just bought.”
The “20% off your Girasole KAL yarn” offer is good from now until June 15th. One discount per person. Good on in-stock yarns only. (No special orders for this.) We’re keeping a list of everyone who signs up and will look forward to seeing all of the finished photos. I hope that a lot of you join me in this KAL. We’ll start two threads on the Ravelry Loopy Groupie board – one for those making a lace/fingering/dk shawl-sized version and one for those making it in the worsted blanket-sized version. (And if you already have something in your stash that will make the perfect Girasole, just hop in and join us, too.) Yardage-wise, the pattern mentions using 1150 – 1800 yds, depending on the weight. I think I will end up using 8 skeins of Cascade Eco-Alpaca for mine, with a size 9 needle. That’s 1760 yds, so that falls right where it’s supposed to be for the worsted version.
You can buy the Girasole pattern here on Ravelry, or here on Jared Flood’s blog.
Sheri sowho’supforKALingwithme?
I’ve had this pattern in my Ravelry basket for weeks now! So I bought it this morning and I can’t wait to knit this up! I figure it’ll be a great summer project
I can’t wait to see them all! Me, I’m a bit behind on my KAL projects. I think I go back about a year on them, frankly. 😎 So, I’ll pass on this one, but I will watch the progress everyone makes eagerly!
That said, the project is on my list of things to do, so it’ll be inspirational to see everyone else’s show up!
count me in count me in I have wanted to make one of these for a few months now and have been to nervous because I am not so good at finishing. I am GREAT at picking out yarn and starting! This is just the KAL for me. THANK YOU EVER SO
I’ll KAL with you! I’ve got the pattern, now I’ll look through my stash to see what might work. If not, I’ll be back to the Loopy Ewe to find something. It’s a beautiful pattern and I look forward to starting.
How challenging would you rate this pattern? It’s very beautiful but I’m not sure.
I’d love to KAL with you! But I don’t have a camera to show my finished work. 🙁 I’ve spent all my $ on yarn!
this is very tempting to do as I’ve been eyeing it since Spring Fling. The big question is, do I want to put aside a project to start this one, I’m going to sit on it for a day or so and then decide.
How hard is this to knit. It looks absolutely beautiful but wonder if I want to overwhelm myself this summer.
I looked at his website but I don’t think I could see anything that describes the difficulty.
Cheryl
Bonney (and others who are wondering) – great question. I wouldn’t rate this as challenging. It’s actually EASY. No purling. Mostly knitting, YO’s, K2tog – that kind of thing. It’s really quite amazing how just a few stitches can make a pattern like that.
I would love to join in! I bought the yarn from y’all MONTHS ago (cascade 220) and would love join in on the fun! yay!!
my living room is crying for a loverly bwankie 🙂
I think I’ll try this KAL…I have some Dream in Color Classy that I can use for the worsted wt version.
I’ve sworn off KALs for a while but y’all have fun. It took me 6 months to knit a sweater because I kept knitting along various things so I decided not more KALs unless it’s already in my queue and I’ve no other project OTN.
Good news Sheri…there are only 213 points around the edge of the Girasole! (213 x 3 = 239 + 1 for the set up/graft row = 640.) Not that I was counting when I did mine, but I was soooo glad when it worked out exactly right. Jared is a genius!
Count on me Sheri, this sounds like great fun. Already have the pattern just need the yarn to get started.
Wahoo! I’m already halfway done with my Girasole, so I’m in. The pattern is FABULOUS. Even if you mess up, it is easy to see what the next stitch is supposed to be based on the stitches on the row below. It really is that easy. Of course, I haven’t begun the edging (seriously, Sheri – 214 points? EEP!)
There is also a Brooklyn Tweed fan club on Ravelry with a Girasole thread for anyone who needs more help. I can’t wait to see what everyone’s Girasoles will look like!
Girasole = Italian for Sunflower. Thanks to this KAL, we’ll have a Sunflower garden!!
looks sweet but i better stick to the pile of projects i have going!!
You are an evil, evil enabler. I just bought the pattern and just ordered the yarn from you.
It’s beautiful and tempting. I have things in my queue that I really want to get done for Christmas (3 of them are afghans). I’ll have to think on it for a few days – maybe I’ll substitute it for one of my planned afghans. 🙂
When I first saw this pattern I thought to myself that I would never finish something that big, but you have inspired me. I bought the pattern last night, and now to choose a yarn for it…
Ok, I’m in! (Because you ALWAYS get me into things!!) Now to decided if I want a blanket or a shawl…. Also have to break it to my family that I guess I WON”T be making dinners this summer because I have this KAL project I have to complete…….
cant till I have enough smarts and experience to jump into either one of those KAL ‘s !!….they are both so beautiful !
This is really tempting! I won’t be able to get any yarn for it (and should check my stash first) until after next week.
Even if I don’t do it, I will happily look at everyone’s lovely pieces!
Oh, gosh. I can’t tell you how tempted I am! I have to go do some math and figure out just how quickly I can knit samples for the sock summit booth before I commit myself to another project (lest I be, haha, committed, snort) 😉
Oh, darn it all. I’m up to my withers in UFOs and have to crank out a baby blanket pronto* for my husband’s cousin, who is expecting, but this is so tempting! I’ll think about it….
*American for “right away”—over here it means “ready” and is the word you use when you answer the phone. (And don’t get me started on the ramifications of living in a country where your first word to a total stranger could be “Ready”!)
Oh my goodness! I hadn’t seen that pattern before, but now it’s a MUST! I love that it can be knit with various weights of yarn. Now for the decision!
The pattern is beautiful! I really want to do it, but I have so many other projects right now…we’ll see.
I’m also making Girasole — mine in sparkly white lace-weight mohair as a wedding present — and I’m 4 rows from finishing the charts, myself! But because it’s a wedding present, I can’t blog or post photos of it in progress! I’ll make sure to do that after I’ve gifted it. And then I think I’m going to knit a blanket-sized version 🙂 It’s addicting!
Wow, am I tempted. I have a wedding to go to this summer – wouldn’t that make a lovely gift! The question is, could I finish in 6 weeks?? Hmmmm………
I’m in for the KAL. My first one. This should keep me occupied for the rest of my natural life. I figure it will save me $$ in the long run since It’s so big and I’m such a slow knitter. LOL!
I just downloaded the pattern. I have 1300 yards of laceweight that is spun from merino/silk roving from The Sanguine Gryphon that I bought from The Loopy Ewe last summer. I just hope I have enough yarn to finish the shawl! I’m also contemplating buying the yarn to make a blanket as well (Because I don’t have enough projects already on the needles. Ha!)
I am going to download the pattern right now!
I just downloaded the pattern. I have a whole boatload of Pastaza that’s needed to be knit for a while now. Or maybe I’ll do something else. Anyway, I’ll give it a try!
I’m going to blame you, if that’s the next project I’ll cast on 😉 I already have the pattern and my yarn and the needles ready. Just needed to find an excuse to finally start.
I would love to see a photo of your progress to see what it looks like in worsted, before jumping in. I know I am a chicken:) Will you share even if its not done, that is fine. Thanks Sheri!
I’ll join in on this! I came over through Wendy, and I’m on chart D of my Girasole, knit in Grignasco Merino-silk on 1.75 mm needles. We’ll see what size doily it turns out to be! I hope to also knit a second on slightly larger needles, probably still in laceweight yarn, though. Hopefully life will allow me to do both for the October deadline!
I’m guessing our mega yarn ordering for the KAL caused some of our 20% discounts to fall through the cracks. I left a note with the order saying I would join the KAL but so far I haven’t received the discount.
I have had this faved on Rav since its posting. I am thinking this will be for my mom and dad as a new bed blanket so I will be doing it in worsted in a single color – cream…they are simple people. Of to peruse the superwash worsted weights….
Jane
Oh bliss and joy! something wonderful to think about while I’m working very long days running examinations. (I am an Examinations Manager and this is the busiest time of year for us.
I have downloaded the Girasol pattern, found the instructions for the special cast on and hunted our some lovely pale blue Rowan yarn from my stash. The exams finish at the end of June and then I will be knitting along with you.
It didn’t take much to put the sunshine back into my life, so many thanks.
Are you readining my mind????? I have been off the computer for about a week now – needed to detox from my blog addiction – come back and lo and behold, here’s a KAL I can’t skip! I have been thinking lace for Grandma for Christmas and this is perfect!
I’d love to join the KAL for another great Jared pattern. Question though for you Sheri, I’ve been spinning up my own fiber now for any projects I start so would you also allow the discount for those who will use the fiber to spin up yarn to then knit Girasol?
I’m in too. Hemlock Ring dropped down the queue and Girasole moved up to take it’s place. 🙂
I give in. I keep thinking about this KAL and have decided to make a blanket. Looks like fun.
Well, I’ve never done a KAL and now I’ve just about signed up for two on the same day. I just purchased the pattern and have to decide if I need to buy beautiful new yarn from you or look thru my stash. Never seem to have quite enough in the stash, funny how that turns out. It is sooooo beautiful. Just finished my first lace shawl and am quit anxious to do another.
I’ve been wanting to knit this pattern, and look forward to your KAL. I will be using Malabrigo worsted. I made several Hemlock Ring afghans with it, and it is really yummy. I just hope I’ll have the space to block it!
oooohhhh i’ll join in on the fun. now ijust have to decide which wonderful yummy yarn to use.
Ok, finally decided. I’m jumping in too. Blanket sized. Waiting for needles. Heaven help me this is a lot of lace…
I’m in, too. This is my first KAL, so a little nervous because I’ve never done lace or such a big project. Well, I did talk a friend into joining with me, so that will help. Plus will appreciate all the help from the group and various info and threads on Ravalry. Love the pattern, and I’ll do the shawl since it’s a little smaller. Looking forward to making such a beautiful shawl! I’m using Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4 ply, in a pretty light violet shade. So, here goes……. !!
I’m in! But I REALLY have to use up some stash . At least I should!!
Have a bag of Patons Moorland DK. So here we go!!
I’m in. Bought my pattern, added more to my stash (araucania Itata Solid color Natural. I’m making the shawl sizeto use as a decorative table topper. The girasole will be memorable because the purchase made me a loopy groupy and unlike a shawl, I can look at it all the time. Talked Samantha into it too.