Winter Companion

A few days ago I asked Rebecca if her Kidsilk Haze shawl was warm (you know, worth all that effort). I mean, this yarn is so light it's almost not there. Now, that was before I finished my Winter Companion. In retrospect I have to say - what a silly question! There cannot be a better yarn from which to knit a shawl. It's very light, yes, but each stitch is surrounded by a haze, which of course is what catches your body warmth and holds it there on the surface of the skin. Of course, that's exactly why it's called Kidsilk Haze. Duh. But I'd never knitted with it before and now I feel I may be facing some kind of addiction. Like crack cocaine. One hit and you're lost. Crack yarn, that's what this is. Oh, and by the way, it really doesn't moult too much at all.

I'm sure most of you must have given this yarn a go, but if you haven't, do.....please! I was eyeing all those beautiful lacy shawls and thinking.....well, yeah - absolutely stunning but how useful, honestly? I like my knitting to look nice but be useful. And so arose my question to Rebecca, as I said. As soon as I realised just how wide this scarf is, I flung it over my shoulders and came face to face with the revelation of just how warm and light a garment can be at once. In fact, this morning I made breakfast with it around my shoulders like a shawl, with none of the ends sewn in. I never want to let it go.

As you can see, this is a very plain knit. That's fine as I won't be tempted to treat it too much with kid gloves (no pun intended). But now I've discovered the delights of KSH and the raptures it sends me into, I want more and I want fancy. How about this Edwardian Lace Shawl? I ordered the pattern this morning and, as it only takes three balls, it won't bankrupt me. It's going to be in black.

I sound as though I think it's a straightforward thing, knitting this flibbertygibbet. But I don't know if I'm up to it and it may be beyond me. Or.............I know I will rise to the challenge and learn any new skills I need to complete the task. There, that's better. The power of positive thinking.