This Week's Knitting, and I Won a Contest too!

I finished knitting and blocked my "thinking of you" scarf, and I am very happy with the way it turned out, I think I will keep it. I really love how the patterns in lace take on a whole 'nother personality after they're washed and blocked.

There was plenty of yarn left, so rather than let more than 1/2 of a skein sit and marinate in my stash for maybe ever, I cast on and began another scarf, using the horseshoe print lace scarf. It's an 8 row pattern repeat, and if I ever spend a lot of time on it I hope I can memorize it because it's in words, and i have found I like charts better, for lace. And thanks to Kris W, my secret pal from the fall FFBE for telling me that "sock yarn doesn't have to be used for just socks" because, you know, I don't knit socks. :-)

Yesterday at the LYS, in addition to the goodies I picked up for my contest prizes, I took advantage of their 50% off sale (i know, right?) and picked up 3 of these, for a wrap to knit for a friend's b-day in September...or maybe Christmas. :-) This green is her color.

I also got this awesome tote bag, and when I checked out saw that I received 20% off the Malabrigo, it's Deb's 1 year anniversary sale. Since I was buying one that one for a prize, I just HAD to get me one too. :-)

Oh, and even I won a contest! Mary over at SitnKnit wanted to know some of our favorite blogs for her Bloggerversary contest, and my name was chosen 1st. I picked the Cascade220. I don't know yet what it will be, but for now it's in good company with the rest of my stash. I love that color. Thanks, Mary!

I haven't knitted a stitch since Friday night, between the contest and pictures for my blog, so I'm going to go do just that now before the day is over. Have a good week ahead.

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!

"My" LYS

I've written briefly about the LYS I frequent, What's Needling You in Toms River. The shop has only been open since March of this year. Now, let me tell you more about this shop. My experience with LYS(s) is limited to the few I've been to, and reading about what others have written on their blogs. But, I really like this shop. My first visit was in April, when I took an entrelac class. I was welcomed and got a good vibe right off. The shop is small compared to some I've been in. If you are looking for a shop thats stuffed to the rafters and carries every yarn under the sun, this shop isn't for you. If you are in immediate need to get that special yarn for a project and Deb doesn't carry it and don't want to substitute, this shop isn't for you. But, if you like the feel of a shop that is very friendly, is uncluttered, and carries a good variety of a lot of different yarns, you need to go there. If she doesn't have what you're looking for, and have a little time and patience, Deb will order what you need. Such is the case of my visit to the shop yesterday. I was in need of a particular yarn for an exchange that my partner coveted. I called and asked if she had it because I knew she had other yarns by that vendor. (can't say...surprise ya know) She didn't, but would order...should be about 2 weeks. I got an email Friday night my yarn was in. So, yesterday I went down to pick it up. (REALLY nice yarn btw, yummy--my pal has good taste!) It's always good to see Deb and her daughter Shannon. I'm always asked to sit down for a bit and offered tea or coffee, and they will chat if not too busy. There's usually a few other customers there with their projects coming and going or just browsing. I like that the shop has actual project samples created with the yarns carried. There's notions, needles, supplies, books, etc. to be had, and classes offered. Sometimes there's a sale or discounts offered on yarn. There is a frequent buyer card that after $200 is stamped you'll get 15% off your next in stock purchase. (I'm nearly full on my 2nd card...oh my. I work for yarn.) The only drawback for me is the weekday hours aren't convenient with my work schedule, but being open on Saturday helps. These pics were taken in the shop yesterday. Deb and Shannon change the decor seasonally, and it's beginning to look like Christmas!