More yarn

Another week has gone by. We still don't have the first FO of 2006; we still don't have a gallery of last year's FOs; we do, however, have more yarn.

More?

'Fraid so:



This is three skeins of Henry's Attic "Monty" which is going to be transformed into the Spanish Christening Shawl from Cheryl Oberle's "Folk Shawls". (There is a picture of the shawl on that page, if you want to see it.) This is the yarn specified in the pattern and I am so pleased I got it.

It seems the yarn is only available in the US and it just seems ridiculous to have wool sent half-way round the world (it probably came from Australia in the first place, which means it's circumnavigated the globe), so I thought about a substitution. Preferably something that is easily available in the rural backwater. A little bit of research on Yarndex and Wiseneedle and I decided on Jaeger Baby Merino (50g=200yds, which compares well with the Henry's Attic, 8oz=840yds) Note how we are mixing the metric and imperial measures here - I never was great at maths and this just adds to the general confusion. I wasn't confused about the price, though. It was going to cost me over £40 to get the stuff I needed. I decided to check out using the yarn suggested. Various places on-line stock it (some of which don't ship to the rural backwater!) and tracked it down in an ebay store for only $11.50 per skein. This is quite a saving and even when we factor in the cost of shipping, I have still saved over £10. Many thanks to Marty at Catnip Yarns, for quick and efficient service - a very quick response to my query as to shipping cost, an email to tell me the yarn had been shipped (on the same day I ordered it). Special mention must also be made of the USPS and the good old Royal Mail. The yarn was shipped on 2nd Feb (last Thursday) in New Hampshire and arrived, safe and sound, in the rural backwater this morning. (Monday) I don't see how it could have come quicker.

The yarn feels beautiful - soft as butter. I haven't had the chance to wind it into balls yet but I know it's going to be a lovely job.

Clapotis is still boring - I have finally reached the decreasing section, it's all downhill from here. The pink baby jacket is almost finished - I have bought in 85% chocolate in view of the large amount of grafting there is to be done.

Today is #1 son's birthday - I have spent the day making birthday cake (chocolate coffee delight); meringues (with the egg whites left from aforementioned cake); asparagus rolls; hummous; pizza dough and all whatnot. I have managed 5 rounds of knitting on the pink jacket cuff. It's a wonder I have time to do any knitting at all!

Happy Birthday, Babe.