More birthday goodies

I am a lucky person to have such wonderful friends and family around me and I am touched by how well some of them know me. In particular, RuthieK, who has sent me the most amazing skein of deep teal laceweight and a length of fabric featuring teal and gold on a dark cream ground, to feed my ever growing teal addiction. Thanks Ruthie. I love them both and the yarn came out of the package strongly suggesting (for this yarn is far to refined to shout) that it should be made into a Traveling Woman shawl. Who am I to deny a yarn its destiny, especially when so politely yet forcefully put. Its been paired up with its pattern in the upcoming projects box.

I am itching to knit something other than the sweater I am currently working on, partly because new yarn is always so exciting, but partly because this sweater seems to have been on the needles for quite a while. Sometimes, the last stage of any project seems to take a really long time. I suppose because you are keen to have it finished and wear it. I've had some setbacks on the neckline of the sweater, and have knit three ribbed necklines, pulling the first out because it was too large, and the second out because it was too small. This third version appears fine. Though I have yet to sew it down on the inside, which could precipate further problems. But I am putting that step off because I don't like sewing up and am now knitting the rib for the hem with the aim of getting this done by Sunday night if at all possible. Then I can decide which lace project to do next.