When it rains, it pours!

Today was my first day back to work after my vacation. After an entire morning spent checking up on my e-mail, I decided to go to the library on my lunch. Our library has a pretty decent selection of knitting books and I wanted to do some research for a pair of textured mittens.

On my way to the library I had noticed that the sky was grey, but I was surprised to find that a full blown thunderstorm was pouring down when I left. I made it one block by walking under the awnings of the local businesses and then I stopped at the drug store to buy a card, thinking that the rain would ease up while I shopped.

Nuh, uh. It got worse. I went back into the store, bought an umbrella and tried to make it to the office. And then it REALLY decided to rain. I went four steps and my pants were wet to my thighs. The umbrella wasn't keeping the rain off me because the rain was coming down sideways. By the time I made it my desk I looked like a contestant in a wet t-shirt contest. So I went home.
Guess who was waiting for me there? The mail man! (I'm really sorry I didn't take his picture, because he sure was a cutie!) There was also a package was already waiting for me on the dining room table. Wow! And that's what I mean by when it rains it pours. I was expecting two packages, just not on the same day.

So here are my goodies:

Socks that Rock Club

Jamieson and Smith

I'm underwhelmed by the Socks that Rock. I don't like to use lace patterns with handpainted yarns that have this much color variation in them. I also would have liked to see a color way that varied more from the last one. Purple and green are great, but two times in a row?

The Jamieson and Smith however, impresses me all to heck! The shades of blue are so subtle and rich. Most of the colors are solids, but a couple are heathered and I can just imagine them giving a great degree of depth to the vest I'm going to knit for my dad. Wendy has knit this vest and I wanted to compare my colors with hers because she couldn't remember what yarn she used, but I can't find the vest on her site right now. Also, I notice that the pattern is knit back and forth. Forget that! I intend to do mine with steeks so I can knit it two handed. I still can't purl easily with my left. I wonder how Wendy knit hers?

I just love the red. I will either make a shawl from it, or perhaps a nice cardigan. Either way, it will be for me! me! me! Red in the winter is the best.

PS-Maureen, there was no duty on my yarn from J&S. Just tax and a handling fee that came to $16. Sweet, eh?