Raffle Prize!

Last night, Liz Cassidy, owner of The Spinning Room in Altamont (NY), had a fashion show-and-tell, which was lots of fun. There were about 25-30 people, and everyone brought along one or more items that they were particularly proud of. There were some lovely sweaters and felted bags and shawls and more. Liz also had a wonderful selection of raffle prizes, many of which were donated by vendors. It looked like there were going to be prizes enough for almost everyone there, which was exciting. But names were called, and more names were called, and still more called, and I wondered if I might be one of the few who wouldn't end up with a prize.

Then Liz selected a fabulous prize to be the next one up--20 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a lovely russet color, and the Winter Essentials pattern book. Oooooh, did this look good! And then wonderful Nancy actually did draw my name!! (We'd been taking turns pulling names.) I am afraid I screamed and generally had something of a fit. So now I just need to decide what to make with it! I found three patterns in the book that I really like, but unfortunately, they are for other yarns. So I'll be trawling through Ravelry to find a good pattern. Was it ever my lucky night!

Earlier this week I finished my Acer cardigan, and I love, love, love it. It was a great pattern--and there was NO seaming! Since I'd sewn the buttons on and woven in most of the ends before I had finished knitting, I think it took about 5 minutes of post-knitting work to finish it off. I made it out of Beaverslide Worsted, which is 90% wool and 10% mohair. It was nice to knit with, but even better is how it feels once washed--soft and almost slightly fulled--it is hard to describe. I wore it last night over a short-sleeved sweater, and it did not scratch! I'm afraid I've sent off for the color card for this yarn, I think I am addicted to it! When I went looking for buttons, I found some really pretty, slightly old-fashioned looking, ones at JoAnn. I was a little shocked to see they were $5.00 per card of two, but nothing else seemed remotely right once I'd

found these. I am really glad I didn't scrimp, because I think they are perfect.

In preparation for my Knit One Below class at the Spinning Room next month, I started the Curves and Columns vest today, but not 30 minutes after I did, I found out about Lion Brand's KAL for Stefanie Japel's Textured Circle Shrug. And last night, Karin was wearing a lovely sweater, Rhinebeck from A Fine Fleece. It really didn't call to me when I was picking out patterns from the book, but it is lovely in person. So I was all set to start it as soon as I finished the vest. Now I feel a bit overwhelmed. I wonder if there is any chance of playing hookey all week from work?!?!