Birch *almost* there!

I feel like I've been working on this project since the dawn of time. (don't worry, mom, every second was worth it- you'd better like it, though!) Me and Birch are lucky though, because we averted catastrophe when Melissa aka the coolest person ever sent this:

(check out that cute packaging!)

Melissa, you are a rockstar! I definitely owe you one.... or ten:)

As soon as I got the package of emergency KSH, I finished Birch up. To celebrate, I gave her a little bath... (well, first I used the Harlot's blocking method and strung Birch up, hence all the crazy colored yarn also taking a bath)

After a healthy soak, I gave her a little blocking (and saw just how ginormous this shawl is - it took up more than two big towels).

I also put J's nerdy computer books to good use:

Next up: Me convincing J to help me with a fancy photoshoot for this here shawl. Oh, and finding a time during actual daylight.

The train that ate my yarn:

So, my project never turned up on the train. My cousin who lives in the city even traipsed over to Grand Central to dig through the Lost and Found! How cool is that? So, the funny thing is that I was never super into knitting hourglass. I really like the yarn and thought the sweater would be a nice, relaxing TV knit. But of course after I lose my half-knit version, all I can think about is how my life isn't complete without my own hourglass. I'm nuts, I'll be the first to admit it.

So, a couple days ago I surveyed my stock of Cash Iroha - 8 whole skeins (I started with more than I needed after reading about some people running out). Anyway, 8 skeins! Not bad when I only need 11 (according to the pattern, at least). I decided to check out ebay, prepared to buy a few skeins in a different dyelot and alternate rows, when I found the exact color AND dyelot! How lucky am I? So, on its way to me now are 5 (maybe I got a bit carried away) skeins of Noro Cash Iroha, 94 in Lot E. I'm almost over losing all that time spent on the first (and the pain of imagining it in a dumpster somewhere:( )

That's TWO yarn crises averted. Woo hoo!

For Next Post - A nearly finished back of the Hourglass Replacement Sweater, aka Beau from Rowan Vintage Knits and hopefully soon a fully-lined finished Weekender!