Oh man, look what came in the mail yesterday!
A pattern, and TWO skeins of Susie's 50% tussah silk/50% merino yarn in the Midnight Rainbow/Harlot's Peacock colorway.
But wait, you say. There's only one skein there.
Very observant, Grasshopper. That's cuz the other skein is already in progress:
Pinned out a little, here's how it looks at the end of chart 1/1a:
See, Susie made the mistake of sighing that she didn't have time or inclination to make a lace shawl for herself. So I told her I'd make her one. Hey, I already make more lace shawls than I can wear now, and I'm happy to have a chance to share with someone else. I really didn't expect the extra skein of yarn. (Susie, I'd've done it for NOTHING!) But when she offered it, I accepted.
Folks, you should see this yarn close up. Here's my attempt at a close-up shot. 
It's like a black opal. At first you just see the dark shade, but then the subtle color variations start showing up. It's got greens and burgandies and blues and I don't know what all. It's gorgeous. Of course, it's also dark, so I borrowed a tip from Fleegle and pulled out one of my headlamps to wear while knitting it. Works great. And the added benefit of the headlamp is that it really lets the shine of the silk show through, and brings out the color variations while I knit. Yummy...
So keep an eye on Susie's blog or her Etsy shop. Look for her wonderful stuff there! And I get to knit with it. Neener neener!
I got some other good stuff too:
Charlene Schurch's new book, and the Yarn Harlot's new book. I got Charlene's book because I test-knitted one of the patterns. Dear Robert brought me back Stephanie's new book from his manager's meeting in Denver.
Life is good, mostly.
So many goodies! What's your opinion of Charlene's new book? I have the first one, and you know it's always important to keep the series intact, right?
I hope to see you next week.
Posted by: Sandy | March 23, 2007 at 12:11 PM
You are sooo Lucky! Yes, with a capital L. The Peacock Feathers pattern is one of my favorites - I've had it in many virtual shopping carts before I come to my senses and remove it. :) I'm also very envious of the books. I'm sure I'll buy them before too long.
Posted by: Beth | March 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Fabulous! For some reason I didn't realize that Harlot's new book was already out.. I'll have to save up my pennies!
Posted by: mouse | March 23, 2007 at 12:52 PM
That yarn is gorgeous! I love the subtle colors peeking through.
Posted by: Kat | March 23, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Oooh! Ooooh! You have no idea how loudly I am squeeee-ing over here!
:::happy dancing:::
Posted by: Susie | March 23, 2007 at 02:11 PM
I looooooooooove the yarn. It makes me want to rip out my Peacock Feathers (again) and start over with something that nice!
Posted by: Allison | March 23, 2007 at 11:52 PM
*GASP* That yarn is seriously beautiful. My god. I can tell you that if I saw that in a store there is no way I wouldn't buy it. WOW.
And, my goodness, there isn't time enough in the world for me to knit all the things I want to and I can tell you that I do not have 1/8th the generosity you do to kit someone else an entire shawl. What a lucky friend you have.
Posted by: Marnie | March 24, 2007 at 04:21 AM
Well, you're not letting grass grow under your feet, are you? Enjoy knitting that beautiful yarn. That's going to be a marvelous shawl. Glynda
Posted by: Glynda Black | March 24, 2007 at 09:28 AM
Life sounds very good indeed! that yarn is very yummy looking
Posted by: Debbie | March 25, 2007 at 09:19 AM
What a yummy yarn - BEAUTIFUL. And you are knitting up a lace storm again. I know why I call you the lace queen! Those two books are on my "to buy" list. Which sock did you test knit? I know I am nosy. ;-)
Posted by: Claudia | March 26, 2007 at 07:41 AM