Late February, it was like this: I see snow flying in the umpteenth storm, then the invitation to my cousins' beach wedding in Key Largo on the fridge catches my eye, I go online, I buy tickets. On an impulsive roll, I go back online and buy a dress, and a shawl pattern download because I had 3 weeks time and the dress needed something. Lori had just posted this photo of her Aristida shawl . I fell hard for the whole thing. Her styling. Especially, especially, the bobbles and fringe. I should add that I had already called my sisters to find out what "beach formal attire" meant. We concluded "Good Old Fashioned Hippy Party Clothes". Fringe!

A skein of Manos Fino in Peep Bunny Watered Silk later, I cast on. As it turned out, my dress arrived about 10 pounds (of mine) too tight, so the coordinating shawl was moot. Whatever! I was
heading out of the snow! Although the shawl
was pretty far along, it was not done in time. Whatever, again! The
weather was so beautiful, I didn't need a shawl. We danced like maniacs
and dined under the stars in celebration of a beautiful couple. Three and a half days of Key Largo was heavenly.
And I totally enjoyed the knitting. This is such satisfying lace--not fussy, not so hard you need to stare at charts...lovely. With a 490 yard skein I figured I could throw in a full extra repeat, no harm. I was mistaken. Only five rows to go.
My options: less shawl or more yarn. NO WAY was I ripping, I have felt lately that all my shawls are just a little too small. Doing without the bobbles and fringe? Out of the question. My LYS was out of the yarn. I posted a search on Ravelry.
How much do I love the world of knitters? Within a day I had 2 responses, and one, Jarah, offered to send me her skein, for me to use as much as I needed-- I'd guesstimated 100
yards, I mean, who knows? Probably less, right? -- and then send it back across the country to her. Yes, I know, really! How wonderful and generous is that? Knitters are the best.
But I guess you already know that.
Before the wedding. We cleaned up. I even wore glitter 2" high flip flops. So much fun.
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