Wednesdays Are for Knitting

My nephew and his significant other are having a son in October, so like the wonderful aunt that I am, I started my usual feather and fan baby blanket. I was too anxious to cast on (which really means I was too impatient to order yarn and wait a bit), so I carelessly used some Caron Simply Soft from Michael's in a teal color that I really liked. About 50 rows in I started to encounter areas in the yarn with frayed and broken plies, and then there was a huge yarn barf from the skein. It took me about 90 minutes to untangle the mess and cut out the crappy bits before I stuffed the project and yarn back in the bag in disgust.

This is what crappy yarn looks like.

Then Patty posted this.

I was immediately smitten. The pattern is perfect -- free, looks interesting, but is still easy enough for me to have a chance at finishing. And I couldn't stop thinking about that beautiful blood orange color. I went to Webs, looked at other yarn, other colors, and finally just placed my order. They must have known I was once again anxious (some might say impatient) to get started because they shipped it right away and it arrived on Friday.

Webs also sent me a wine voucher?!

The color is even better in person and I cast on immediately. I don't know how much progress I'll make on the blanket during the heat of the summer, but I do know it's a pleasure to knit with yarn that isn't frustrating in a color that I can't stop admiring. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ...