Almost, but not quite...

Friends, last night I had a moment of weakness, and I came THIS close to buying yarn. THIS close. Why didn't I? Was it the fast, and the guilt that would come from breaking it? While that did repeatedly cross my mind, I mentally pushed it aside and continued looking for the perfect yearn for 25 minutes. You are my friends, so I can honestly tell you that the only thing that stopped me was the lack of appropriate yarn. Really. If Weaving Works had had something perfect, I'd have bought it in a heartbeat.

For the most part I've been preventing myself from acquiring yarn by avoiding temptation, although I have been to the yarn shops many times since the great yarn fast of 2007 began, mostly buying needles/stitch markers/etc. No yarn. I've been very well-behaved. But yesterday I went in to get some yarn for my Secret Pal, since I really must get her first package in the mail, and it occured to me that this week has been busy and stressful and next week will be worse, and boy I could really use a new large project that would go quickly. I had a sweater from Fitted Knits in mind (the yellow one). It's knit in a relatively bulky (3.5 st/inch) yarn, Cascade 128. I was thinking this would be good for spring/summer, and thus wanted something that was NOT 100% wool, especially because all the plant fiber yarns and blends are 20% off this month at Weaving Works. Then I was thinking that 100% cotton may not be ideal either, given the gauge and the potential sag factor, but that became a non-issue because there were no cotton blends at close to this yarn weight, and only one 100% cotton yarn, which I didn't like the look of for this sweater. Of course this led me to the wools, and I had to back away slowly from the Manos, which would be perfect for this, but would, of course, cost an arm and two legs, which I don't have to spare. So, of a mixed mind I left the store, depressed to have not purchased any sweater yarn, and smug in the fact that I didn't purchase any yarn.

When I got home I examined the stash, and discovered that I have some potentially appropriate yarn, Cascade Jewels. This is a hand-dyed yarn, similar in tonality to almost-solid Manos. Of course I don't have enough of any one color for the sweater, but I have an email into Little Knits, where I bought the yarn just before Christmas, inquiring about more. THIS purchase would not break the yarn fast, because it would be buying yarn to finish a project that is in progress (assuming I start it before the check is cashed). I realize this yarn is 100% wool, and that was not really what I was going for, so I'm still hemming and hawing. I could of course use a thin cotton (or maybe bamboo) doubled, so there is still hope for the plant fibers. I'll keep you all posted.

One of my best friends is getting married tomorrow, and the wedding/reception is "fancy or fanciful dress." I have rented an 1800s Southern belle dress, hoop skirts and all. Should be quite a to-do! Have a good weekend!