A whole bunch of people thought that knitting something challenging for the duration of the Olympics would be fun.  I agreed and picked out a crazy project – a lace blanket over six feet across that uses 1700 yards of yarn.  After many late nights, 60+ hours of knitting, and a blocking session during the men’s gold medal hockey game (grah!) I’m proud to declare myself a successful Knitting Olympian/Ravelete.  Meet Girasole.

Full project info on Ravelry.  I loved the pattern but I can’t say I’ll be making another one any time soon – I need a break.

The general concensus seems to be that knitting the edging is torture but I say phooey.  After a loooong circular slog the edging was like eating potato chips.  And not just any chips, but Pringles.  A huuuuge can of Pringles.  I couldn’t stop.

I didn’t have enough pins for all 213 points so I did the Olympic thing and sacrificed a few straight blocking wires to the cause.  They came out slightly bent but I dare say it gives them more character, not to mention war stories to tell the grandkids.  (“Do you remember the Girasole of 2010?  My, how limber we were back then!”)

I’m glad I decided to take up this challenge.  I grew as a knitter, watched more curling than I’d care to admit, and now have a kick butt blanket for napping on the couch.  Win, blank end, win.