So yesterday I sat down with some stash cotton and the shawl pattern, and instead of doing the handy swatch, I cast on the shawl itself. The stitch pattern is very easy, but the directions for the shawl weren't - they go through about 15 rows of k2 p2 yo p2tog and the like, then suddenly say "continue in established pattern." That's it, you're on your own. Okay, so what if you're like me and your brain hasn't grasped the established pattern yet? I mean, I could see the stitch pattern just fine, but we were also increasing and moving markers here, and I swear I couldn't "see" what was happening! Sometimes I'm just pattern dyslexic - what I know is a logical progression of stitches looks to my eyes like a random jumble. Arrrrgh. So I fumbled around and screwed up the next two rows, ripped it out (hadn't gotten very far, obviously) and then read and re-read the pattern until the parts that I had skimmed over finally penetrated my thick head. I think I know what is happening now, and I think I can do it. I think I can, I think I can.... I'm not that crazy about that cotton though. I thought it would look nice because it has a bit of a sheen to it, but in action it's pretty dull looking and a bit stiff. Yes, I'm a pain in the ass, I want non-fuzzy and non-itchy, but also soft and drapey. I have some other cotton I'd bought from Elann (allegedly sport weight, but it isn't - it's much thinner than I expected) and I think it may do the trick. I may be swatching this sucker until Spring.

I went to VW and built a convertible turbo Beetle - yellow, gray interior - MSRP a bit over $25k. Not too bad, but more than I want to spend right now. Maybe by my birthday this summer.