2KCBWDAY4 - Where are they now?

Day 4 - Whatever happened to your _________?

I've written about my girasole before. 

It was supposed to be a gift for someone else. But about halfway through, I realized that person would never be able to appreciate what all had gone into making this gorgeous blanket, so I contemplated keeping it. Then, in a flash of brilliance I realized who the perfect recipient would be - my grandparents. My grandparents are incredible people. They truly love unconditionally, which I feel is a hard concept for most people these days. My grandmother is a quilter, and my grandfather a woodworker, so I knew they would appreciate the love that went into every stitch of this blanket. They have provided so much love and comfort to those they know in their lives, not only family, but anyone that crosses their path. I hoped that this would provide them with as much love and comfort as they have provided for me throughout my life, and while I know it can't come close, knowing that they sleep beneath it at night makes me feel wonderful. No, this is not used as a lap blanket in my grandparent's house, it is the comforter they placed on their bed so that they could use it every night. I am so fortunate to have them as grandparents.

FO: Love & Comfort

Finished!!

Pattern: Girasole by Jarod Flood

Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool

Needle Size: US 11

you can check it out on my ravelry page here

This is definitely the largest project I've done to date, and for anyone who is intimidated by the size of it - don't be! The actual knitting part is not difficult at all - the only thing I had to get used to was the sheer size of it. Mine ended up being larger than most (over 8 feet!!) because I went up a needle size to US 11. I even left out a repeat of the last chart because it was using more yarn than I expected it to. All in all, it's a wonderfully written pattern, and I definitely plan on making it again for us (this one's for my grandparents).

time to block

So I finished my girasole today (yayyy!!). Well, by finished, I mean I finished knitting it. Once I finished the knitting, it needed to be blocked. Not because I needed to be any bigger - this thing is already over 6 feet! (Jake's about 6' 1" and he doesn't have any problem spreading out on it!)

So, I soaked it in the bathtub, and I honestly think it weighed about 20 pounds when it was completely soaked. So heavy. A couple of you asked how in the world I was going to block such a monster, and while it took a little furniture rearranging, I knew it wasn't going to be too hard. Enter: our guest bedroom. I had to move a little bookshelf, and the kitty litter box into the living room for a day or two, but it worked!

Definitely not my best blocking job, but all I really wanted was to get the edging looking a little nicer. I can't wait to take some better pictures of it once it's all ready to go!!

And, speaking of better pictures....check out our totally awesome one week old birdies!

The only explanation I can think of for the extra birdie that we weren't expecting is that the momma laid another egg after the initial picture I took. Everything I've read has told me that two birds wouldn't have been able to be born out of the same egg, so that's the only other thing I can think of!

What project(s) are you currently working on?

school's out for the summer!

This past Thursday was my last day of work - woo hoo! I worked half a day, then headed to meet up with my family for my cousin's wedding the following day. This was my first time as a bridesmaid, and it was great fun! She was a beautiful bride, and I'm so happy for her and her new husband - they're so wonderfully perfect for each other!

In other news, the birdies are growing at a rapid pace! I haven't been able to snap a really good picture of them yet, but you can definitely get an idea of how quick they're growing:

What's crazy is that there were only 3 eggs, but there are 4 little baby birds! I love watching the mom and dad birds fly back and forth into the nest with food - it's just amazing!

And now for a girasole update....

I've started on the edging! And, just like everyone says, it takes a long time. I'll work for an hour, take a look at the needles, and it feels like nothing's changed! But I should finish up tonight or tomorrow. And, man, is it going to be huge! I can't wait to get it off the needles and block it!

Since I've got some spare time this summer, I've got lots of projects in my queue - including some of my own new designs!

Hope you're all having a great Monday!