Yar, matey!

Yesterday I had a far better yarn store experience when I went needle-hunting. I ended up at 3 Bags Full, where they found me the needles I wanted. They didn't look at me like I was nuts when I explained that yes, I really did want bamboo needles to knit lace; yes, I knew what the problems were, but I had my reasons; I would sharpen the points myself and be careful with the join, and see just how well I could muddle along.

Instead, Francesca pulled out her own edition of the Mystery Stole, and gave me lots and lots of tips, as well as some of her magic chart-highlighting-tape. And told me to come back if I needed any help, which she totally didn't have to offer, since I didn't buy the yarn at her store.

I did pick up some other yarn, though (which she offered, unasked, to wind for me! Take that, Other Yarn Store!) I couldn't resist when I saw the name: "Black Purl." Not only does it tickle my funny bone, but it means that all the time I spend knitting with it, I'll be reminded of Johnny Depp, and that's always a good thing! Besides, it's awfully pretty:

Also, note that it's actually not blue. I'm making a real effort to try to branch out into other colours. (But there were so many pretty, pretty blues...)

I started the first part of the first chart of the Mystery Stole this morning. It took me about 2 hours to do the first 15 rows (4 times!) but I think I finally have the hang of it. As long as I go really, really slowly; as long as no-one speaks to me at all while I'm knitting; and as long as I say the stitches out loud as I go. A total of about 3 hours of work today got me this far:

It's pretty close to scale, which is a little scary! But it's real, live lace, knit up by my very own wee fingies. Wahoo! I made a trip out for dental floss, and put in the first of many lifelines, Just In Case. My brain hurts, and I LOVE IT. It's magic. Very, very slow magic, but magic all the same.

To keep me sane, I also cast on a simpler project to give my brain a bit of down time. Another pair of socks, in Rabbitworks' No Mean Feets.

(Because I can't stay away from blue entirely, can I?) I love how the blues are knitting up next to each other. I love that knitting (plain & simple!) socks is now "easy knitting" for me...I would never have guessed it would happen! It gives me hope for the stole, and for that eventual sweater....whee!