Testing 1, 2, 3

When Al and I first discovered our mutual love of knitting, I could see what a proficient knitter she was. She made her own patterns and could knit up anything. This has been proven time and again in the last couple of years. She can even look at a knitted lovely and write up the pattern as she did for the hats from my mother. I told her she should write up her patterns and sell them. They're all lovely and seem to come so easily to her. She agreed that one day she would do just that. And so she has.
Last week she handed me a gorgeous cake of yarn, similar to the Neapolitan ice cream looking Art Yarns I'd used before with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry colors, and said she'd be emailing me the pattern and would I test knit a shawl for her. Wasn't it sweet of her to provide the yarn? Especially a yarn that resembled something she knew I liked.
So I've become a test knitter. I started it last week but haven't knit it much. It's going to be my sole knitting focus this week though so I should have something to show you in the next few days.
Now for the bad news. I have to admit defeat in my attempt to clean up my UFOs. The sweater for my sister, Pat, is still in the bag. We have made progress though. It's no longer in the closet, it's on top of my dresser. I'm all for progress even if it is at a slow rate. Maybe this week I'll take it out and read the pattern again. Then again, maybe not.
Oh and am I the only one getting excited already about Rhinebeck? I know it's months away but I'm starting to get the hum of excitement going. We may be there both days this year since Al has purchased a home up in the area. We're already planning out the weekend with the families. I hope I'm not the only lunatic making plans this far in advance. But I probably am.