I Got Free Manos del Uruguay!

Yes, I did. See those 2 pretty pale blush pink/lavender skeins of soft Manos del Uruguay wool in the back there? I got them for free. Do you want to know how I did that? Or, how I did that in my skewed reasoning? Well, I will tell you. I've been on the email list for a LYS in Red Bank, Wooly Monmouth, for a long time, but I never had the opportunity to visit there. I received in the mail last year, and again this year, a postcard for my birthday, offering 25% off yarn purchase up to $125, to be used during this month. So, that could potentially score me a discount of $31.25. I decided I was going to take advantage of it this year, and before I left for Red Bank yesterday afternoon I looked at the website to see what yarn they offered. I saw quite a few I'd only seen online and never in person, and was looking forward to getting some more "birthday yarn." If I haven't mentioned it before, I consider this whole month to be "my birthday" so any purchases are birthday presents. Manos was on the list in my mind, I never had any, and thought that would be a choice.

When I got to Red Bank, a town I used to go to often before the accident to shop or go to dinner, it was very crowded. It's got some very unique shops and I remember fondly my carefree walks around town and browsing. I wasn't able to get any street parking close to the LYS, but found a spot in a lot a couple blocks away. I was having a "good ankle day" and the walk wasn't too bad. When I got to the LYS and inside, I was greeted warmly and asked if I needed help. There were a few girls knitting at a table, and other customers wandering around. Dori, the owner, has a cute little baby, Andi, who is about 6 mos. old and such a happy girl. I spent my time looking at all the different yarn. Every thing was arranged very neatly and so colorful. It took a while, but I decided on the Manos, just 2 skeins. I was going to just get that to add to my stash, Lord knows I have enough yarn already. But, as I was getting ready to pay for my yarn, I saw a lace wrap Dori was working on in the softest most lovely light and airy yarn I'd ever seen or felt before. It was Filatura Di Crosa Superior, 70% cashmere, 30% silk. Here is a review of the yarn. I said how beautiful the wrap was, and if she had the pattern. Pricey, at $25 a ball and I would need 3, she said it was easy, just 4 rows, and she'd type it out for me, which she did. I was sold. I chose the burgundy color, and took my purchases to the register and gave in my 25% discount card. And that, my friends, is how I got "free" Manos del Uruguay!