Making the Best of It

This is one of the best compliments of pattern and yarn that I have ever knit. It's the Toast Cosy by This is Knit. The super soft Baby Alpaca Sport by Luxury Collection is bulky but light. I made two hats of it for friends' boys when they were wee. I was looking for just the right yellow, but I knew I could find it in a ribbon. This is for a dear sweet knitter who is having back pains and could use a bit of comfort. It knit up in just over one day and the designing was impeccable.

It was my turn on Wednesday to brave the traffic of the highway construction- twinning the Port Mann Bridge- and deliver the drummers to their practice at the PNE fairgrounds. Despite the early start, the slow traffic and the van full of very big boys, we made it in good time. I got to tour their suite at the Pacific Coloseum- just like rock stars! And then I made the best of it and went wool shopping. This is a special bonus because now D doesn't have to trail behind. They should really put a computer store next to every wool shop, like a babysitting service.

I found Cheryl Oberle's book, Folk Shawls, at Three Bags Full. I don't think I've ever been in such a well organized shop. There were precisely 9 skeins of each colour of Cascade 220 in each cubby. The effect was entrancing. I bought the blue and grey for the bird cage mittens in 60 Quick Knits that I won from Grumperina. The Koigu was hung on the wall like a tapestry. You could feel so brave mixing colours! I didn't get the name of the lady, think it was the owner, but she showed us her Pi Shawl in progress. She's right: the Blackberry Ridge Yarn was the perfect match. I will buy some when they get the new colours in. Even the other customers were bery organized and friendly.

This is what I'm going to use to knit my Wendy Knits Pi Shawl Knit A Long. It's Ella Rae Lace Merino and machine washable. I loved the semi solid turquoise (although the blue in this picture is nice too). Wendy starts sharing the patterns on Sunday.
This I bought at Urban Yarns which is a whirlwind of happy knitting. Such a welcome and an overwhelming mix of colours and yarns. I love this store at the gate of UBC where I once was a student.

I also bought this Koigu from Three Bags Full because it reminded me of an iris garden. My Mom's name is Iris and I think I'll make a small shawl for her birthday.

I obviously should have posted earlier, because now I have to say hi to KelleBelle who came up to me at intermission of Kooza to say hi and ask about my Multnomah shawl. By name!! She even said hi to me on Ravelry! The show was awesome. The crowd was lots of fun! And I have met a new member of my tribe. That's surely making the best of it.