steven the conquerer or the continuing adventures of girasole.
June 16, 2010
it took my ten days.
only ten days and a xanax.
by the end, my hand was cramping.
and i’m pretty sure if there had been any more edging,
i’d have developed “the claw.”
it took just under one skein,
(since i stupidly knit it with a size 6 needle)
but i’m confident that it will be the perfect size blocked.
what am i talking about?
why jared flood’s most recent masterpiece, the juneberry triangle.
it was definitely the most difficult knit i’ve done thus far
and yet,
once i got going,
things made sense.
and i got to thinking,
i meet so many knitters and too many of them say things like,
“was that an easy knit?”
“i could never knit that.”
“is it hard?”
when did knitting something easy become a badge of honor?
why wouldn’t you want to knit something that was challenging,
that took you to the edge of your abilities?
sure i like mindless knitting sometimes,
but knitting is like a puzzle to me;
it’s the figuring out part i love.
so no this wasn’t an easy knit.
i had to think
and pay attention.
in doing so, i figured it out.
and i conquered this mothah f*ckah!
tonight, it soaks.
tomorrow, the blocking begins.
in other news,
the travels of the girasole continues.
shara has been toting it all over the uk,
carrying it with her to historical sites,
and showing it off at yarn stores.
here it is at the wool clip
castlelrigg stone circle
(that’s shara on the right. not sure who she’s with but she looks cool. must be a knitter.)
she then took it to hadrian’s wall
and to see the angel of the north
my mom wrote me an email about the girasole.
she wondered if i was jealous that my knitting is traveling more than i am.
(because apparently she is)
i told her it’s the complete opposite.
i’m thrilled something that i made is traveling all over the uk.
i should start sending more knitting out into the world.
like a chain letter.
and people send a picture.
i feel a new project coming on.
Bitches Get Stitches 
June 16, 2010 at 1:35 am
Knit me something and I’ll take it all over…or at least to really interesting places.
June 16, 2010 at 6:34 am
the triangle is beautiful! just like i knew it would be 🙂 and the girasole–so lucky! i MUST go to the wool clip some day! what a gorgeous place. that’s the sort of town i envision myself living in. it’ll never happen, but i love the narrow stone streets where everyone you pass knows you.
June 16, 2010 at 9:22 am
Good for you for saying the Juneberry was hard and that’s why you like it. I’m sick of lazy knitters who never attempt a project because its got_______ or too ______(whatever). The only way to improve is to challenge yourself, you’re a better knitter for doing so!
June 16, 2010 at 9:25 am
love love love!
June 16, 2010 at 10:37 am
I LOVE your juneberry triangle!!! Truly gorgeous! I couldn’t agree more with your philosophy on knitting. I think one of the best parts about it is acquiring new tricks to thrown in the hat with each project!
June 16, 2010 at 10:54 am
What a beautiful Juneberry Triangle! Gorgeous work — and I’m with you on the working to the utmost of one’s abilites thing.
June 16, 2010 at 12:25 pm
You have given me hope. I also like to challenge myself with knitting. I really want to knit that juneberry triangle but I got scared after how much trouble you were having. Now I think I can do it!
I am just finishing my first piece of (what some might call) “real” lace. I am thinking of entering it in the county and state fairs.
Yay for new(ish) knitters who take on challenges and conquer those bitches!
June 16, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I agree with the challenge aspect (I’m learning Fair Isle with Cheryl Oberle’s NW Celtic Jacket) and have 2 lace projects on needles, but must admit I also like having a dodo proof project handy for knitting times when I can’t concentrate on a chart (social gatherings and such). I’m working my way up to an Orenburg shawl – that oughta kick my ass – but in a good way.
The Juneberry is gorgeous, can’t wait to see it blocked!
June 16, 2010 at 4:41 pm
You are seriously putting me to shame with your lace knitting. I loved Juneberry when it came out, but it scared me just a little bit (mainly because it seems like it would require more sustained attention than I can give). I can’t wait to see it blocked — and maybe in person, too? Pretty please?
June 16, 2010 at 7:03 pm
You know, you try to sound like such a bad*ss, but you end up being such a sweetheart. Glad I found you!
June 16, 2010 at 7:04 pm
…and a killer lace knitter.
June 17, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Love, love, love your work and your Juneberry Triangle is such a beautiful color! I am currently knitting the Juneberry and if you don’t mind may I ask…Chart 2, Row 5 The dreaded yo, slm, begin pattern repeat with a yo…HOW! I feel completely stupid and I think I am a pretty accomplished knitter. And I agree with you about pushing yourself with patterns that are not “safe”. Carol
June 19, 2010 at 4:47 pm
What is that wonderful spiral cable thing at the edge? It seems to be tempting me! Is there a Juneberry triangle in my future? (Thanks a lot, with sarcasm mixed with delight! Yes that can be done.)
Agree with the challenge of knitting. Knitting is a metaphor for life in general. Sometimes, we need mindless knitting, and sometimes we need challenge. There is a place for everything. At one time mindless knitting was quite challenging!
Have you noticed how much the Girasole is enjoying travelling? It clearly becomes her.