Birthday blanket

Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions on the blanket business, and in general thanks for all comments, I really appreciate them! I've noticed that when I've been commenting on other peoples knitblogs they often answer by email. I hope I haven't disappointed someone expecting an email, I'm just not used to that practice. I'm more into answering the comments on the blog to keep the "whole story" there. Let's see, maybe I'll take up the email thing.

The blanket plans have taken an entirely new direction. My birthday was on sunday, and in addition to the fabulous þríhyrnur og langsjöl (three-cornered and long shawls) book and some knitting magazines, my parents gave me money to spend. Mom said I should use it for the home, and what better for the home than a big 'n cosy blanket to cuddle during hmmm… the winter which is almost over?! So now I have money to spend – Allright!

I had the idea to use Wonderwool from Scoeller & Stahl (I hope I remember that correctly) because I already have a few skeins and for me it's quite important to know how the yarn feels before I go ahead and buy 25 skeins of it. It's only 50% wool, but it's so wonderfully soft and decently priced. I found this German online yarn store which sells the stuff at 2.75 euros/skein, they ship anywhere and the shipping costs within Europe are not too high. My local yarn store does sell wonderwool, but they don't have the colors I need and although they could order it for me, the price is just not as good. I think I don't have to feel bad about it, since I do support the store quite substantially.

On saturday I finished the second Lopi sock, which makes them my first ever finished pair of socks! Here's a result of twisting myself in awkward positions to get a decent picture

The next picture, however, is my favorite. Tres artistique, no?

In addition to the great gift from my parents, I got some other wonderful gifts for my birthday. Cassie sent me some beautiful koigu, chibi's, tea and only, what, 1200 meters of laceweight merino!! Which was just perfect as I could immediately start knitting from the shawl book. Frank, Markus and Tuija had sneaked a huge box filled with yummi stuff into my apartment while I was out. How nice does this look?

How about this then?

Everything in the box was sweet: cakes, chocolate, cookies, you name it, except for this one can there in the middle. It's canned ravioli and don't ask me why!My dear friend Arna sent me a cd and Icelandic candy (YAY!) along with a wonderful birthday card, and my dear friend Bryndís wrote a most beautiful blog entry about our friendship (we've known each other since we were 3 years old – the entry is in Icelandic). Thank you all so much, it really warmed my heart.