One of the things I love so much about the knitting/blogging combination is the constant inspiration. When I post things I'm knitting (or bloopers) I get the most encouraging comments, and when I read others' blogs about knitting, I am constantly inspired to try new techniques and patterns. I found some great patterns recently from snooping other people's blogs.

I decided to purchase my very first pattern online, and here it is! It is called Shetland Garden Faroese Shawl, and I fell in love with it the first moment I saw it. I don't as yet have a shawl or stole for myself, and I figured it was about time for me to start knitting one. Granted, the weather is getting warm now in the Frigid North, but by the time I get this done, it'll be cold again (*sigh*). I love lace, and especially lace that looks like something. Putting holes in knitting in an abstract design doesn't appeal to me, so I fell in love with this lovely pattern, especially as it has so many beautiful garden designs in it.

The yarn I chose is Lion Brand's Microspun in a vanilla color, which I'd already used (in a differnent color) on some socks. I love the durability and incredible softness of this yarn, and I think it will drape really well. The only thing I don't like about Microspun is that it is very splitty, so I have to watch what I'm doing when I'm knitting it. However, I figured that I'd have to pay attention to what I'm doing with this pattern anyway, so it's okay. I got all the yarn I needed from Joann's for a great deal, and the total to knit this scarf (including pattern) will be $20! I couldn't buy a shawl for that, and now I get all the fun of making it, too (and bragging rights :)!

(Just as an aside, did you know that you can special order yarn from Joann's? As I mentioned, all their Lion Brand yarn is on sale right now, but they didn't have enough Microspun of one dye lot. So, I had it special ordered with no extra cost, and still got the sale price!)