Bundles of Joy!

Yes, I’m talking about Secret Pals! After a disastrous bike ride Monday in which I crashed not one, but two times on my road bike, I pedaled home, bruised and bleeding, dreaming about the nice warm shower I was going to take, when I passed our mailbox with a big envelope sticking out. (Forgot to take in the mail on Saturday, we were probably out in the mountains as usual.) First words I saw: “August Secret Pal”. Hello! You can bet I opened that thing right there and then.

Secret Pal sent me 2 Jaeger pattern books! And I've already tabbed some patterns! There's Lichen, a ribbed turtleneck sweater, and Grace, a collared peplum cardi. And then there was Vixen, which called out, "Oh Cable Gal! Knit me!". Two looks in one: elegant (with a silk scarf poking out from top) and casual (with khakis and Converse lowtops), so I’m going to make it. The pattern is charted, which I’ll probably rewrite because I’m not good with charts (hence frogging my Bellini tank 6 times), and it uses discontinued Jaeger Wool Stretch, so I’ll have a great time hunting for that.

This came Tuesday. Or, I picked up Monday’s mail Tuesday afternoon having come home from a job interview (debating on whether to go full-time or stay freelance at this point, but that’s a whole ‘nother story). Secret Pal, you’re the best! First, a skein of Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair wool/mohair blend in lovely teal green with slight variations in hues and tints. Second, a skein of Koigu KPPPM in P332, a burst of fuchsia, pink, purple and brown. Aah, incredible! I’m stroking the skeins as I write this, wondering what to make. I’m thinking a cabled hat for the Moutain Mohair to keep the head toasty on winter climbs, and Latifa for the KPPPM, with pink/purple/café au lait blocks in between the ruffles. Any other ideas, anyone?

Secret Pal also sent a knitting journal with (how cool is that?) cables on the cover. Why didn’t I think of this on my own? No more stickies and torn paper scraps all over my patterns! Everything will go in here. Thank you for the books, journal and yarn, Secret Pal!

This came yesterday, courtesy of eBay and my new discontinued yarn source (hey, she might have some Jaeger Wool Stretch!). Ten balls of fluffy Rowan Kid Soft in grassy green Blithe, Kid Soft patterns gratis, and mystery yarn for my Secret Pal! Now I’m debating whether to knit Fluffy Sweater from Vintage Knits, Sasha (cowl neck sweater) or Anna (oversized raglan turtleneck) from the Kid Soft pattern book. All I have to say is this: ROWAN IS EVIL! You know what I’m talking about. All these wonderful yarns and great patterns, and us knitters with only two hands and a couple of hours every night to complete just one thing… Evil, evil, evil!

Okay, here’s just a little knitting content, work has been busy... I’m about 1/3 done with Grace’s right front; hopefully I’ll be finished by the weekend. I’ve also finished 3 beanies with a couple more to go. And then finally I’ve cast on for my sister’s tank top. Good thing summer lasts later here, she’ll still be able to wear it in October!

Happy Knitting!