Uncharted territory!

I love cables ... love arans ... the more complex the pattern the more I like it! However, what is it about me and charts??? I become a gibbering eejit when presented with a pattern in chart form! Give me an olde worlde pattern with the instructions written out row by row and I'll show you one very happy, unstressed cabler:) However, there are such beautiful patterns available now in charted format that I'm biting the bullet (0r chart deciphering skills) and am making reasonable headway on Norah Gaughan's stunning Turbulence U neck jumper (pattern in Norah's Knitting Nature book ... what stunning patterns in this book. I love it!).

The pattern recommends that you use Berroco Softtwist yarn which I found extremely difficult (impossible!) to source in the UK. I now have some winging its way to me from the States (Thank you, texasyarns, eBay seller) in a lovely taupe shade. However, I was so keen to cast on this jumper, I have subbed and am doing my original, pilot-run in Debbie Bliss Cotton dk (a humungous thanks to the de-stashing Pictish on Crafty Yarns N'Threads forum!!) in a glorious terracotta shade. My knitted wardrobe will overflo'eth! Will post progress pic over the weekend...

And on a celebratory note, guess who's the birthday girl today ... Isla, the returnee pup, is one today. Maybe better not remind MrB of the date as it'll trigger memories of the £280+ caesarian section vet bill:) Wasn't she worth it though!

And on a final very excited note, my Berroco yarn has just been delivered to the door in the last 5 minutes! MUST, must finish the one on the needles at the moment!!